Archive for the 'Oprah Winfrey' Category

Oprah and a Faulty Comparison

May 22, 2006

Oprah Winfrey has reportedly signed a deal to write a book about weight loss. Her advance is said to be more than Bill Clinton, who received $12 million to write his autobiography, My Life.

The second sentence contains a faulty comparison. The expression "more than" indicates that there is a comparison, but what two things are being compared? In this sentence, "her advance" is compared to "Bill Clinton." This is not logical. A thing should not be compared to a person. Oprah's advance should be compared to Bill Clinton's advance. Restructure the sentence so that the comparison is logical.

Oprah Winfrey has reportedly signed a deal to write a book about weight loss. Her advance is said to be more than the $12 million Bill Clinton received to write his autobiography, My Life.