这里的this one or that one是一种省略结构

有一读者问: 有这样一句话:

(1)Which is better, this one or that one?

this one or that one是否是which的同位语?或是一种独立结构?

上述句(1)是一种选择疑问句。Which is better是一特殊疑问句,this one or that one是is this one better or is that one better的省略结构。所以,上述句(1),正如一本权威著作所说,实际上是一特殊疑问句和一省略的选择疑问句的一种综合结构。再如:

(2)Which ice cream would you like, chocolate, vanilla or strawberry? (实际上相当于Which ice cream would you like? Would you like chocolate, vanilla or strawberry?)