Is the usage of "too" correct in this sentence?
As the systems we simulate become increasingly complex, so too does the task of validation.
Asked
Active
Viewed 4,768 times
3
Andrew Leach
- 101,901
bala
- 31
-
1Have you looked up the word too in a dictionary? – Mr. Shiny and New 安宇 Jun 23 '14 at 16:36
-
2Why do you think it might not be? – Jon Hanna Jun 23 '14 at 16:41
-
Come to think of think, why not omit the word "too" altogether. I kind of like the sound of, "As the systems we simulate become increasingly complex, so does the task of validation." – rhetorician Jun 23 '14 at 21:30
-
I asked a similar question about a year ago here: Function of “too” in the phrase “so too” or “so, too”. The answers are pretty interesting, I think. – Sven Yargs Jun 24 '14 at 01:08
2 Answers
1
Your use of too is fine. An alternate word to use instead of too would be the synonym also.
Occasionally, depending on the wording of the sentence, the word too is preceded and followed by a comma, but commas are not necessary in your sentence. In the following sentences, however, the commas would be appropriate, though not necessary:
We think Jack should come along with us, too.
We think Jack should come along with us, too, but his mother disagrees.
Jack's father and older brother, too, are in agreement with his mother.
As the systems we simulate become increasingly complex, the task of validation becomes increasingly complex, too.
Come to think of it, why not omit the word too altogether. I kind of like the sound of,
"As the systems we simulate become increasingly complex, so does the task of validation."
rhetorician
- 19,383
-
I like the comma where the OP has it. It makes the sentence easier to read, and it's not there because of the "too". – Rupe Jun 23 '14 at 16:19
-
@Rupe: I agree. I realize the comma is there because the sentence needs it for ease of reading, not because of the OP's use of the word "too." The same would apply in a compound sentence, such as, "The systems we simulate become increasingly complex, and so too does the task of validation." – rhetorician Jun 23 '14 at 16:26
-
I'm not sure why you're bringing commas into this? it seems to me that the question is about the meaning or function of the word too. – Mr. Shiny and New 安宇 Jun 23 '14 at 16:35
-
@Mr. Shiny and New: Bringing commas into this doesn't seem unreasonable to me. I personally think the comma before *too* in rhetorician's second and third examples looks really weird, to say the least. – FumbleFingers Jun 23 '14 at 17:14
-
@FumbleFingers: You could be right. The way I speak the sentences, though, sounds better to me with the comma-pauses. Then again, I tend to speak more slowly than the average person. A faster-speaking person would not likely feel the need for commas. Don – rhetorician Jun 23 '14 at 17:39
-
@Mr.ShinyandNew安宇: Because of your comment, I've edited my answer by including some more information; notice the second sentence in the first paragraph, and my addition of the words "though not necessary," thanks to FumbleFingers. Don – rhetorician Jun 23 '14 at 17:43
