Thursday, December 21 fragments and parallel construction

Please note that essays not received are late at this time. Thank you to the many who sent theirs along. 

Coming up:   a week's break.
In class: practice with revising sentence fragments and parallel construction. (class handout / copy below)  Due at the close of class today.

A Parallel Construction Problem: the False Series

A common problem in writing today is the false series. It happens when a writer combines three or more seemingly related elements in a series, but the syntax is wrong. When you get the sentence right, you're said to be using parallel construction.

Some helpful hints on how to revise sentences for parallel structure:

1)Figure out what parts of the sentence are being compared.

2)Decide whether they are parallel, i.e. arranged or constructed in the same way.

3)If they are not, make them parallel by making the grammatical construction the same in each part.

Examples

I would rather eat potatoes than to eat rice.

Global warming affects humans, the environment, and is scary.

It's harder to do long division than dividing with a calculator.

“How to Use Parallel Construction Correctly.” Quick and Dirty Tips, 27 Oct. 2017, www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/how-to-use-parallel-construction-correctly.

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Name_______________________________-

Fragments - Exercise 1

Some of the following word groups are fragments while others are simple sentences. Revise any fragment to make a complete sentence. If the word group is a simple sentence, write "correct" on the line below.

NOTE: No capital letters or end punctuation marks have been used. Use subject-predicate units and complete thoughts to determine your answers.

1.       after the tornado struck the small town

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2.       please read the chapter on sentence analysis

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3.       they would like to collect money for the charity

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4.       because you know that I dislike peanut butter

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5.       the older man walking down the stairs

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6.       whether we go to the zoo on Sunday or not

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7.       the new idea created a buzz of excitement

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8.       for example, the public's interest in reality television

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9.       does that tree ever grow pinecones

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10.   as the actress finished reading her monologue

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Part 2: Parallel Sentence Structure -

Directions: Rewrite each sentence to fix all parallelism errors.

11.  An actor knows how to memorize his lines and getting into character.

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12.Tell me where you were, what you were doing, and your reasons for doing it.

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13.  Clark's daily exercises include running, swimming, and to lift weights.

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14.  To donate money to the homeless shelter is helping people stay warm in the winter.

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15.  Jim not only likes working outside but also getting dirty.

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16.  We followed the path through the forest, over the hill, and we went across the river.

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17.  The writer was brilliant but a recluse.

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18.   She told Jake to take out the trash, to mow the lawn, and be listening for the phone call.

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