To compare the fractions \( \frac{7}{8} \) and \( \frac{2}{4} \), we can first simplify \( \frac{2}{4} \).
\( \frac{2}{4} \) simplifies to \( \frac{1}{2} \).
Now, comparing \( \frac{7}{8} \) and \( \frac{1}{2} \):
To compare the two fractions directly, we can convert \( \frac{1}{2} \) to have a common denominator with \( \frac{7}{8} \).
The common denominator of \( \frac{7}{8} \) and \( \frac{1}{2} \) is 8.
Converting \( \frac{1}{2} \):
\[ \frac{1}{2} = \frac{4}{8} \]
Now we can compare \( \frac{7}{8} \) with \( \frac{4}{8} \):
\[ \frac{7}{8} > \frac{4}{8} \]
Thus, the correct comparison is:
\( \frac{7}{8} \) is greater than \( \frac{2}{4} \).
So the phrase you should insert is "is greater than."