+Explanation+.—To be right is better (good in a greater degree) than to be president (would be good).
14. It was so cold that the mercury froze. [Footnote: In this sentence, also in (15) and (17), the dependent clause is sometimes termed a clause of Result or Consequence. Clauses of Result express different logical relations, and cannot always be classed under Degree.]
+Explanation+.—The degree of the cold is here shown by the effect it produced. The adverb so, modified by the adverb clause that the mercury froze, answers the question, Cold to what degree? The sentence = It was cold to that degree in which the mercury froze. That, as you see, modifies froze and connects the clauses; it is therefore a conjunctive adverb.
15. It was so cold as to freeze the mercury.
+Explanation+.—It was so cold as to freeze the mercury (would indicate or require).
16. Dying for a principle is a higher degree of virtue than scolding for it. 17. He called so loud that all the hollow deep of hell resounded. 18. To preach is easier than to practice. 19. One's breeding shows itself nowhere more than in his religion. [Footnote: For the use of he instead of the indefinite pronoun one repeated, see Lesson 124.] 20. The oftener I see it, the better I like it.
I | like | it
=====|===========
| \
\——\ better
\the \
…\
` \
`
I | ` see | it
——|—`———————
` \
`The \
`…..\oftener
\
* * * * *