Balanced Construction

After reading this article Wayward letters on a popular English daily recently, I have written an e-mail to its editor about a sentence in such article being unsound grammatically.

The sentence in question reads, “Cordial relations between nations may be compromised, or worse,” and should have been written as “Cordial relations between nations may be compromised, or worsened.”

The writer has replied through the editor as follows:-

The reader has a point in wanting to see the said sentence having a balanced construction --- that the past participle "compromised" be balanced by the past participle "worsened". However, I see here the word "compromised" as a state or condition, balanced by the word "worse" indicating another state or condition --- one that is worse than compromised. Come to think of it, it would be awkward to say that a controversial blogger could be jailed or worsened.

He has raised a talking point which, together with my reply, could be printed under "Open Channel" --- so as to invite readers' comments.

I always read such articles from the online version of the newspaper and have not seen further comments therein from any other reader.

To me, the argument on blogger appears wayward as my contention is on relations; so I need to conclude here with one of Groucho Marx quotes/sayings, "I cannot say that I do not disagree with you."