PARALLELISM OR PARALLEL STRUCTURE

Parallel structure or parallelism is the rule that words or phrases in a series should be in the
same from.

Katniss likes to run, hunt and hike.

Run, hunt and hike is the series.
The words run, hunt and hike are the words (or phrases in other cases) in the series.
For this sentence the form of the words is present tense verb. Run, hunt and hike area all in the
same form.

Correct parallel structure is important because it makes a sentence easier to read and
understand. Correct parallel structure allows for essays and paragraphs to flow more smoothly
for the reader.

To fix an error in parallel structure, the writer must put all the words or phrases in a series in
the same form. Here are some examples of errors in parallel structure and how these errors can
be fixed.

Incorrect: Marisa stopped at the grocery store, the bank and ran to the library
Correct: Marissa stopped at the grocery store, the bank and the library.

In this sentence, the words in the series are all nouns with the word the before the noun. For
this sentence to be correct, the last part ran to the library should be changed to the library.

Incorrect: This weekend I have to write an essay, do a book report and a lab.
Correct: This weekend I have to write an essay, do a book report and complete a lab.

In this example, each noun in the series comes in a phrase with a verb before it. The last part of
the series a lab does not match because it lacks a verb. This can be fixed by adding a verb to
come before a lab. The verb complete has been added to make the phrase parallel to the
others.

Incorrect: Attaining a college degree is neither cheap nor will it be easy.

Correct: Attaining a college degree is neither cheap nor easy.

The series in this sentence contains two phrases cheap and will it be easy. To make the phrases
parallel, the writer can get rid of will it be.

Incorrect: Every night before bedtime, Ivy reads a book, singing a song and says a prayer.
Correct: Every night before bedtime, Ivy reads a book, sings a song and says a prayer.

The phrases in this series involve a verb and a noun. All the nouns are in present tense except
for singing which is in the present progressive or –ing form. In order for this sentence to be
correct, singing must be changed to sings to match the rest of the sentence.
Sometimes it can be unclear to a writer whether or not something in a sentence constitutes a
series. Here are some ways one can identify a series and make sure parallel structure is used
correctly.

1. Series exist in sentences that use coordinating conjunctions. Coordinating conjunctions are
words that connect words, phrases or clauses in sentences. The acronym FANBOYS can help
one remember the coordinating conjunctions. The coordinating conjunctions are for, and, or,
but, nor, yet, so. Here are some examples of sentences with coordinating conjunctions where
parallel structure is used correctly.

We need to buy peaches, strawberries, and melons from the farmer’s market Sally’s cat is fat
but he is feisty
I don’t know where he went or when he will be back.
I will not go to the store nor will I make you a pie.

2. Parallel structure must take place in sentence with correlative conjunctions. Correlative
conjunctions are like coordinating conjunctions because they link words, phrases and clauses in
a series. However, correlative conjunctions consist of two words paired together. Some
common correlative conjunctions are: not only... but also, neither/either... or, whether... or, as
many as. Here are some examples of sentences with correlative conjunctions where parallel
structure is used correctly.

Not only was she tired, but she was also sick to her stomach. Neither snow nor rain can keep
me from you.

I do not know whether the recipe calls for baking soda or baking powder. There are as many
desks as there are students.

3. When making comparisons, a sentence must be parallel. Here are some examples of
sentences with comparisons that have correct parallel structure.

I would rather take the train than take the bus.

Sam’s car is faster than Alex’s car.
Strawberries are just as tasty as blueberries.
The Harry Potter series is just as good as The Hunger Games series.

PRACTICE

Please review the following sentences for errors in parallel structure. Correct the sentence by
rewriting it. Not all sentences are incorrect. Answers may vary.

1. My dog is not only friendly but he is also playful.

2. We can go to the park or out dancing.
3. Jeremy likes to read historical, realistic and speculative fiction.
4. Tell Michael I said he can either do homework now or later.
5. Buying a car is not a decision to take lightly nor be careless about.
6. Tyler is for the legalization not criminalization of marijuana.
7. Sally needs a new stove, dishwasher and knives for her kitchen.
8. My first grade teacher taught me how to write, how to read and play tic-tac-toe.
9. She will not admit it nor will she be apologizing.
10. The whole wheat pasta is better than enriched wheat pasta.
11. Literature classes teach students to analyze texts, think critically, and have better writing 12.
Beets are just as nutrient rich as rutabagas even though they are not in season.

ANSWER KEY

1. Correct. Friendly and playful are both adjectives

2. Incorrect. We can go to the park or to a dance.
3. Correct. Historical, speculative and realistic are all adjectives.
4. Correct. Now and later are both adjectives.
5. Incorrect. Buying a car is not a decision to take lightly or carelessly.
6. Correct.
7. Incorrect. Sally needs a new stove, dishwasher and set of knives for her kitchen.
8. Incorrect. My first grade teacher taught me how to read, how to write and how to play tic-
tac-toe.
9. Incorrect. She will not admit it nor will she apologize.
10. Correct.
11. Literature classes teach students to analyze texts, think critically, and improve writing skills.
12. Correct.

20 Common redundancy(repetition) errors to avoid

Redundancy means that the same data has been repeated twice, but just by using
different words. The sentences which have redundant data don't necessarily mean are
grammatically incorrect, but they have unnecessary words, which need to be avoided
at all costs.

Nothing kills or our language, and its implication more than repetition. That is exactly what
redundancy means wherein we repeat words that are unrequired. Such errors add no extra
information to the sentence of the co-inciding word and seem meaningless & needless. While
these redundant phrases do sound effortless in a write-up or speech, they crush the essence of
English language. Let’s take a look at 20 common redundancy errors to avoid. 

Crisis Situation
The definition of the word ‘crisis’ is a time or situation of intense difficulty. When ‘situation’ is a
part of its meaning, then why add it again? This is a classic example of redundancy. 

Free Gift
When do we ever pay for a gift? A gift is something that someone gives to us out of their will or
happiness. That evidently means that it is free! Using the word ‘free’ before the word ‘gift’
makes absolutely no sense. 
Close Proximity
Proximity is self-dependent of its meaning that it is close to something. Using the word ‘close’ as
a prefix is merely a repetition of the word. 

Difficult Dilemma
Is a dilemma easy? It is a difficult situation and adding ‘difficult’ before ‘dilemma’ is adding no
additional information. This only makes the sentence weak and wordy. 

Unexpected Surprise
Look up the thesaurus, and you will find the definition of the word ‘surprise’ as ‘an expected or
sudden event or fact’. The meaning includes the word ‘unexpected’ in the word ‘surprise’. We
should avoid such redundant words in a sentence. 

Basic Necessities
This is yet another cliches in English, wherein the word ‘basic’ is extra and unwanted.
Necessities mean a combination of the basics and don’t require any additional facts. 

ATM Machine
ATM is an abbreviation for Automated Teller Machine; adding the word ‘machine’ with it is in
fact amongst the funny redundancy phrases that many overuse. 

Added Bonus/ Additional Bonus

Both ‘added’ and ‘bonus’ mean something extra. It only claims repetition in the sentence. If you
use it or know someone who does, then stop or stop them. 

HTML Language
HTML is yet another abbreviation word that expands into Hypertext Markup Language. When it
already has the word ‘language’, is there a need to add the extra word there? 

Personal Opinion 
If it is not someone else’s opinion, it is yours. Either there is a noun or pronoun, such as his
opinion or her opinion, or it is personal as it is. This is a weird repetition which makes one sound
less smart. 
Final Result/ Final Outcome
A result or outcome is something that is revealed only in the end when you know it has all finally
ended. Using ‘final’ doesn’t double the meaning, but rather weakens the sentence. 

Invited Guests
Guests don’t visit you unless you have invited them. On the other hand, if people come over
without an invitation, then they are visitors. You did not expect to see them, as opposed to the
guests, who you invited! 

Suddenly exploded/ Sudden explosion

No one waits around for an explosion. If one knows an explosion is about to occur, they would
vacate the area, wouldn’t they? The word is something that happens suddenly and doesn’t need
more explanation. 

Written down
‘Down’ in this case is a superfluous word. You will have to write the content ‘down’ on
something. It is a commonly made error of repetition.

Plan ahead
A plan is something that you prepare or ideate before or ahead of time. The word ‘ahead’ here is
extra and shouldn’t be used along with ‘plan’. 

Revert Back
When you say you will revert to someone, it means you will get back to them. Therefore, ‘back’
is an extraneous word in this combination. 

Major Breakthrough
Achieving a breakthrough is a major deal; not everyone has a breakthrough every day, and that
establishes that it is a huge episode. Avoid such redundancies. 

Unintentional Mistake
One doesn’t know while committing a mistake, that it is a mistake. How can there be an
intention behind it? Without a doubt, it is unintentional! 
Longer in length
If something is long, it is expressing the length. This yet another common cliches in English
which one should omit. 

New Innovations
Any kind of innovation is new, if not it wouldn’t be an innovation. Adding ‘New’ before
‘innovation’ increases the wordiness of the sentence. 

Now that you know these, you will be able to identify many more of such catchphrases that
express repetition or redundancy. Your consciousness will remind you to undo such errors and
will make your hold in the English language crisp and advanced.

ERRORS

Mistakes—Slips of Authors—Examples and Corrections—Errors of Redundancy.

In the following examples the word or words in parentheses are uncalled for and should be omitted:

1. Fill the glass (full).

2. They appeared to be talking (together) on private affairs.
3. I saw the boy and his sister (both) in the garden.
4. He went into the country last week and returned (back) yesterday.
5. The subject (matter) of his discourse was excellent.
6. You need not wonder that the (subject) matter of his discourse was excellent; it was taken
from the Bible.
7. They followed (after) him, but could not overtake him.
8. The same sentiments may be found throughout (the whole of) the book.
9. I was very ill every day (of my life) last week.
10. That was the (sum and) substance of his discourse.
11. He took wine and water and mixed them (both) together.
12. He descended (down) the steps to the cellar.
13. He fell (down) from the top of the house.
14. I hope you will return (again) soon.
15. The things he took away he restored (again).
16. The thief who stole my watch was compelled to restore it (back again).
17. It is equally (the same) to me whether I have it today or tomorrow.
18. She said, (says she) the report is false; and he replied, (says he) if it be not correct I have
been misinformed.
19. I took my place in the cars (for) to go to New York.
20. They need not (to) call upon him.
21. Nothing (else) but that would satisfy him.
22. Whenever I ride in the cars I (always) find it prejudicial to my health.
23. He was the first (of all) at the meeting.
24. He was the tallest of (all) the brothers.
 25. You are the tallest of (all) your family.
26. Whenever I pass the house he is (always) at the door.
27. The rain has penetrated (through) the roof.
28. Besides my uncle and aunt there was (also) my grandfather at the church.
29. It should (ever) be your constant endeavor to please your family.
30. If it is true as you have heard (then) his situation is indeed pitiful.
31. Either this (here) man or that (there) woman has (got) it.
32. Where is the fire (at)?
33. Did you sleep in church? Not that I know (of).
34. I never before (in my life) met (with) such a stupid man.
35. (For) why did he postpone it?
36. Because (why) he could not attend.
37. What age is he? (Why) I don't know.
38. He called on me (for) to ask my opinion.
39. I don't know where I am (at).
40. I looked in (at) the window.
41. I passed (by) the house.
42. He (always) came every Sunday.
43. Moreover, (also) we wish to say he was in error.
44. It is not long (ago) since he was here.
45. Two men went into the wood (in order) to cut (down) trees.

Further examples of redundancy might be multiplied. It is very common in newspaper writing where
not alone single words but entire phrases are sometimes brought in, which are unnecessary to the
sense or explanation of what is written.

English Vocabulary Errors: Redundancies

Redundancies are unnecessary, repetitious words. They may appear before and after
the main word. They make your communication longer, but not better. To improve your
English, read through the list of common redundancies below and mark the ones you are
familiar with. You may be surprised at how many you have been using! Omit (leave out)
the repetitive word and start speaking and writing more clearly, accurately, and
professionally. Some redundancies are completely wrong. Some are not wrong, but
should only be used if you know why you are using them — for emphasis or
differentiation.

Example of redundancy before the main word:

Wrong The final conclusion was to close the bakery.
Right The conclusion was to close the bakery.
Example of redundancy after the main word:
Wrong The companies merged together last year.
Right The companies merged last year.

5 MOST COMMON REDUNDANCIES:

Wrong reply back: They replied back yesterday.
Right reply: They replied yesterday.

Wrong repeat again: Could you repeat that again, please?

Right repeat: Could you repeat that, please?

Wrong return back: Raj returned back yesterday.

Right return: Raj returned yesterday.

Wrong cash money: Do you have any cash money?

Right cash: Do you have any cash?

Wrong very unique: Your dress is very unique!

Right unique: Your dress is unique!

COMMON REDUNDANCIES: Before the word

absolutely
 absolutely certain
 absolutely essential
 absolutely guaranteed
 absolutely necessary
 absolutely sure
advance
 advance planning
 advance preview
 advance reservation
 advance warning
completely
 completely annihilated
 completely destroyed
 completely eliminated
 completely filled
 completely finished
 completely surrounded
 final
 final conclusion
 final decision
 final outcome
 final verdict
new
 new beginning
 new innovation
 new invention
past
 past experience
 past history
 past memories
 past records
still
 still continues
 still persists
 still remains

COMMON REDUNDANCIES: After the word

around
 circle around
 circulate around
back
 answer back
 repeat back
 reply back
 return back
 retreat back
 revert back
forward
 advance forward
 proceed forward
 progress forward
situation
 crisis situation
 emergency situation
together
 assemble together
 attach together
 cooperate together
 collaborate together
 connect together
 gather together
 integrate together
 join together
 meet together
 merge together
possibly
 could possibly
 may possibly
 might possibly

MORE COMMON REDUNDANCIES

Wrong Right
actual facts facts
added bonus bonus
all-time record record
alternative choice alternative
armed gunman gunman
ask a question ask
assemble together assemble
at the present time at present
bald-headed bald
basic essentials essentials
basic fundamentals fundamentals
best ever best
biography of his/ her life biography
bouquet of flowers bouquet
brief moment moment
classify into groups classify
compete with each other compete
current trend trend
depreciate in value depreciate
desirable benefits benefits
disappear from sight disappear
 end result result
estimated at about estmated at
exact same same
face mask mask
fall down fall
fellow classmates classmates
fellow colleagues colleagues
first began began
foreign imports imports
free gift gift
frozen ice ice
future plans plans
general public public
grow in size grow
hurry up hurry
invited guests guests
irregardless regardless
joint collaboration collaboration
kneel down kneel
lag behind lag
lift up lift
natural instinct instinct
never before never
old proverb proverb
pair of twins twins
period of time time
personal friend friend
plan ahead plan
plan in advance plan
postpone till later postpone
 reason is because reason is
reason is why reason is
rise up rise
round in shape round
same identical same or identical
serious danger danger
small size small
soft in texture soft
sudden impulse impulse
suddenly exploded exploded
surrounded on all sides surrounded
tall in height tall
tiny bit bit
true facts facts
undergraduate student undergraduate
unexpected surprise surprise
usual custom custom
warn in advance warn

DOUBLE NEGATIVE
In standard English, each subject-predicate
construction should only have one negative form.
Negative forms in English are created by adding a negation to the verb.
Example: I will bake a cake.
Correct: I will not bake a cake.

Example: I can go anywhere tonight.

Correct: I cannot go anywhere tonight.

Example: We are planning a trip. 

Correct: We are not planning a trip.
Sometimes there are negative forms of nouns — such as “nowhere,”
“nothing,” and “no one” — that are used. If these are in a sentence, it is
important that the verb in the sentence is not negated.

Correct: He’s going nowhere.

Incorrect: He’s not going nowhere.

What Is a Double Negative? (with Examples)

A double negative occurs when two negative terms are used in the same
sentence.

Easy Examples of Double Negatives

 I ain't got no money.
 I didn't see nothing.
 I couldn't find it nowhere.

Got it? Take a quick test.

Real-Life Examples of Double Negatives

A double negative is usually created by combining the negative form of a
verb (e.g., cannot, did not, have not) with a negative pronoun
(e.g., nothing, nobody), a negative adverb (e.g., never, hardly), or a
negative conjunction (e.g., neither/nor).
 My daughter Chantelle wouldn't shout at nobody.
(A negative verb with the negative pronoun nobody)
 Chantelle didn't never call the teacher that word.
(A negative verb (didn't call) with the negative adverb never)
 She did not have neither her address nor her phone number.
(A negative verb with the negative conjunction neither/nor)
 Yeah, but, no, but there's this thing you don't
know nuffin' about, so don't give me no evils. (Vicky Pollard)
(A negative verb with the negative pronoun nuffin' [sic] and
then a negative verb with the negative noun phrase no evils)
"The secret to being a likeable grammarian is knowing when to shut up."

What about a Triple Negative or a Double

Positive?
You don't see triple negatives often, but here's a witty one:
 I cannot say that I do not disagree with you. (Comedian
Groucho Marx)
(If you follow it through logically, you'll find it means "I
disagree with you".)
Even though two negatives make a positive, two positives do not make a
negative. It can happen though. Yeah, right.

Why Should I Care about Double Negatives?

There are two good reasons to care about double negatives:

(Reason 1) A double negative is usually a

mistake.
A double negative that portrays a positive sense when a negative one is
intended is a mistake. If it occurs in writing, it's a grammatical howler. If
one occurs in speech, it can usually be dismissed as a slip of the tongue.
(Well, one can. More than one can't.) 
 Russ didn't steal nothing.
(Logically, this means Russ stole something. In reality,
readers nearly always understand the intended meaning.)
Of interest, the double-negative construction is standard in many
languages. In English, however, it is an error when the resultant positive
sense is unintended.

(Reason 2) A double negative can provide a

touch of diplomacy or subtlety.
With the following double negatives, the resultant positive meaning is
intentional.
 He is not unattractive.
 He is not unconvincing.
 He is not without charm.
These double negatives are not errors. This deliberate use of the
double-negative construction lets a writer take one step back from the
full-blown positive version.

"He is not unattractive" is subtler than "He is attractive." As these double-

negative constructions sound more factual than complimentary or
unkind, they can be useful when a touch of diplomacy or subtlety is
required.

Key Points
 A double negative giving an unintended positive sense is an error.
 A double negative with an intended positive sense can be useful when a
touch of diplomacy might not be unhelpful.

Examples of Double Negatives: From Sentences

to Lyrics
Double negatives are two negative words used in the same sentence. Using two negatives usually
turns the thought or sentence into a positive one. Double negatives are generally discouraged in
English because they are considered to be poor grammar and they can be confusing. However,
they are sometimes used in everyday casual speech and you'll find many examples in popular
song lyrics.
Double Negative Examples

To better understand why you should generally try to avoid these sorts of sentence constructions,
here are several examples of double negatives that illustrate how they can be confusing or sound
nonsensical.

 That won't do you no good.

  I ain't got no time for supper.
 Nobody with any sense isn't going.
 I can't find my keys nowhere.
 She never goes with nobody.
 John says he has not seen neither Alice or Susan all day.
 I didn't steal nothing.
 He ain't never told no lies.
 You can't see no one in this crowd.
 There aren't no presents left to open.
 The secret cave didn't have none of the treasures they wanted.
 All the witnesses claimed that didn't see nothing.
 The pilot can't find no place to land.
 He did not mention neither the deposit nor the rate.
 There is no way you can do nothing about this.
 He doesn't have nothing but the clothes on his back.
 We haven't never seen a tornado that big.
 It ain't right to not paint the house.
 You shouldn't do nothing to the house.
 The hospital won't allow no more visitors.
 I don't have nobody to mow my lawn.
 That attitude won't get you nowhere.
 After the nose job, she didn't want no one to see her.
 The star couldn't sing no more after the matinee performance.

Double Negatives Using Prefixes

When it comes to sentences with double negatives, you'll most often find the word "not"
(sometimes in a conjunctionlike don't or can't) or the word "no." Sometimes, a negative can also
be formed by attaching a prefix like ir-, in-, non- or un-. Here are some examples in sentences:

 The evidence is certainly not irrefutable.

 This gem is not uncommon.
 The results are not inconclusive.
 His rebuttal was clearly not nonsensical.
 The price of the car is not insignificant.
 It is not unnecessary to tell the truth all the time.
 The new disease wasn't non-infectious.
 He wasn't irresponsible about his duties.

You can usually simplify sentences like these by replacing the double negative with a positive,
all without losing the meaning. Instead of, "The evidence is certainly not irrefutable," you can
say, "The evidence is refutable." Remember that "positive" here refers to stating what
something is, whereas "negative" refers to stating what something is not.
Double Negatives With Negative Words

You can create a double negative by using a negative word with a word that acts like a negative,
such as some adverbs, pronouns or conjunctions. These types of sentences typically involve
words with a connotation of being lesser or very low in quantity or degree. Here are some
examples of negative adverbs used incorrectly to emphasize the negative of the verb:

 Barely - I can't barely see where I am going in this fog.

  Barely - She did not barely understand the instructions.
 Hardly - I hardly have no money.
 Hardly - It wasn't hardly midnight when we saw the meteor shower.
 Rarely - He is not rarely a visitor at the park.
 Rarely - Tom wasn't rarely present at openings.
 Scarcely - The news of the company's bankruptcy made scarcely no impact.
 Scarcely - The Southeast had scarcely no rain last year.
 Seldom - We don't watch movies seldom.
 Seldom - Tom doesn't go there seldom since his bad experience.
 Simply - That outfit can't simply do for such a formal affair.
 Simply - This workload isn't simply too much for me to handle.

Double Negatives in Song Lyrics

Song lyrics are much like many types of poetry in that they don't have to follow standard
grammar rules. The creative breaking of convention allows for a wider range of expression, even
if double negatives are used to achieve desired syllable counts in lyrics. Here are some well-
known lines in popular songs with double negative examples.

 I can't get no satisfaction - "Satisfaction," The Rolling Stones

 I wasn't looking for nobody when you looked my way - "Don't Stop the Music," Rihanna
 We don't need no education - "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2," Pink Floyd
 I can't get no sleep - "Insomnia," Faithless
 Got nothing to hide no more - "Shape of My Heart," Backstreet Boys
 There ain't no rest for the wicked - "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked," Cage the Elephant
 And there ain't nothin' in this world for free - "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked," Cage the
Elephant
 My forbidden lover, I don't want no other - "My Forbidden Lover," Chic
 Ain't no mountain high enough - "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," Marvin Gaye and
Tammi Terrell
 Never wanted nothing more - "Never Wanted Nothing More," Kenny Chesney
 You can't tell me nothing - "Can't Tell Me Nothing," Kanye West
 I don't belong to no one - "Dream Attack," New Order
 Ain't no sunshine when she's gone - Ain't No Sunshine," Bill Withers
 Ain't no other man on the planet does what you do - "Ain't No Other Man," Christina
Aguilera
 It wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl - "It's a Man's World," James
Brown

Avoiding Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Misplaced Modifiers

A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the
word it modifies / describes.  
Because of the separation, sentences with this error often sound awkward, ridiculous, or
confusing.  Furthermore, they can be downright illogical.  

   Example

         

The example above suggests that a gold man owns a watch.

Misplaced modifiers can usually be corrected by moving the modifier to a more sensible

place in the sentence, generally next to the word it modifies.  

   Example

        

Now it is the watch that is gold.

There are several kinds of misplaced modifiers:

1. Misplaced adjectives are incorrectly separated from the nouns they modify and almost
always distort the intended meaning.

Example 1

  Correct the error by placing the adjective next to the noun it modifies.

     Corrected
 

     Example 2

        

   Corrected

       

Sentences like these are common in everyday speech and ordinarily cause their listeners
no trouble.  However, they are quite imprecise and, therefore, should have NO place in
your writing.

2. Placement of adverbs can also change meaning in sentences.

     For example, the sentences below illustrate how the placement of just can change the
sentence's meaning.

    Just means only John was picked, no one else:

        

    Just means that John was picked now:

        

  Just means that John hosted only the program, nothing else:

        

Each of these sentences says something logical but quite different, and its correctness
depends upon what the writer has in mind.

Often, misplacing an adverb not only alters the intended meaning, but also creates a

sentence whose meaning is highly unlikely or completely ridiculous.

     This sentence, for example, suggests that we brought a lunch slowly:

         

     To repair the meaning, move the adverb slowly so that it is near ate.

        

Watch out for adverbs such as only, just, nearly, merely, and almost.  They are often
misplaced and cause an unintended meaning.

    This sentence, for example, means that I only contributed the money:

      Repaired, however, the sentence means that I contributed only $10.00.

Like adjectives, adverbs are commonly misplaced in everyday speech, and may not cause
listeners difficulty.  However, such sentences are quite imprecise and, therefore,  should
have NO place in your writing.  

Now click on the link below to complete Exercise 1.

 Link to Exercise 1

3. Misplaced phrases  may cause a sentence to sound awkward and may create a

meaning that does not make sense. 

The problem sentences below contain misplaced phrases that  modify the wrong nouns. 

To fix the errors and clarify the meaning, put the phrases next to the noun they are
supposed to modify.  

    Example 1 (a buyer with leather seats?)

  Corrected        

   Example 2 (a corner smoking pipes?)

    Corrected
Example 3 (a house made of barbed wire?)

    
Corrected       

4.  Misplaced clauses may cause a sentence to sound awkward and may create a

meaning that does not make sense.

The problem sentences below contain misplaced clauses that  modify the wrong nouns. 

To fix the errors and clarify the meaning, put the clauses next to the noun they are
supposed to modify.  

    Example 1 ( a buttered woman?)

  
   Corrected        

    Example 2 (a hamper that Ralph wore?)

    Corrected

Be careful!  In correcting a misplaced modifier, don't create a sentence with two possible
meanings.

    Example

  

Problem:  Did the teacher say this on Monday or will she return the essays on

Monday?)  

  Correction #1  (meaning the essays will be returned on Monday)

    

  Correction #2  (meaning that the teacher spoke on Monday)

    

DANGLING MODIFIERS                                 

 A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the
word or words it modifies  (i.e. is placed next to).

    Two notes about dangling modifiers:

 Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply

moving it to a different place in a sentence.
 In most cases, the dangling modifier appears at the beginning of the sentence,
although it can also come at the end.

Sometimes the dangling modifier error occurs because the sentence fails to
specify anything to which the modifier can refer.   

    Example  1

This sentence does not specify who is looking toward the west.  In fact, there is nothing
at all in the sentence to which the modifying phrase looking toward the west can
logically refer.  Since the modifier, looking toward the west,  is sitting next to the funnel
shaped cloud, the sentence suggests that the cloud is doing the looking.  

Example 2
This sentence means that my mother enrolled in medical when she was nine years old!

At other times the dangling modifier is placed next to the wrong noun or noun

substitute.  

    Example 1

           
Because of the placement of walking to the movies, this sentence suggests that
the cloudburst is walking to the movies even though a possible walker - Jim - is
mentioned later.

    Example 2

Since having been fixed the night before is placed next to Priscilla, the sentence
means that Priscilla was fixed the night before.  

As the above examples show, dangling modifiers result in inaccurate and

sometimes ludicrous statements.               

How to correct dangling modifiers

Dangling modifiers may be corrected in two general ways.

 Correction Method #1

1. Leave the modifier as it is.

 2. Change the main part of the sentence so that it begins with the term actually
modified.  
3. This change will put the modifier next to the term it modifies.

  Thus, this dangling modifier

  may be corrected to

  Now the sentence means that I was looking toward the west.

Using the same method, this dangling modifier

          
        may be corrected to

   

  Now the sentence means that Jim was drenched by the cloudburst.  

Correction Method #2

1. Change the dangling modifier phrase to a subordinate clause, creating a subject

and verb.
 2. Leave the rest of the sentence as it is.

  Thus, the dangling modifier

  

may be corrected to

  Now the sentence means that I  (not my mother!) was nine years old when my mother
enrolled in medical school.

Using the same method, the dangling modifier

may be corrected to 

  Now the sentence means that the car (not Priscilla!) was fixed.

 Special Cases in Subject Verb Agreement
Part of why subject/verb agreement errors are so numerous is because of the "special cases"
that often arise in English, e.g., when words including "everyone," "some," and "none" are part
of the subject. Use the principles that follow to guide you through these special cases.

 Remember that the names of organizations and words such as "everyone," anyone,"
"each"—i.e., words that ask us to consider something one member at a time rather
than collectively—are singular.
Each of the student leaders agrees that . . .

Anyone associated with the DEP understands that . . .

 When subjects are connected by the word "or," the subject closer to the verb
determines its number.
Either the pebbles or the sand is . . .

Either the sand or the pebbles are . . .

 When "some," "all," or "none" are part of the sentence subject, the number of the
verb matches the number of the noun to which "some," "all," or "none" refers. Note
below how the subject ("sample," "samples," etc.) controls the number of the verb.
Some of the sample is contaminated.

Some of the samples are refrigerated.

All of the bone is intact.

All of his bones are broken.

None of the ground is disturbed.

None of the grounds are mowed.

 Although "and" in the subject usually indicates a plural, there are cases where the
context is obviously singular, thus requiring a singular noun.
Further research and development on fuel cells is necessary for them to achieve
their potential as energy storage devices.

Supply and demand is used to determine the equilibrium values of price and
quantity.
 Nouns that are "collective" (automatically suggesting a group) take a plural verb
when the group as a whole is meant; they take a singular verb when the group can
be thought of as individual members. Commonly used collective nouns include
"number," "majority," "series," and "variety." Note that when collective nouns refer
to a singular group as a whole they are often preceded by the word "a"; when they
suggest individual group members they are often preceded by the word "the."

A number of people were affected by the tragedy.

The number of samples contaminated was two.
A series of western blots were performed to assay protein expression.
The series of western analyses was found to be inconclusive.

 Units of measure are treated as collective nouns, taking a singular verb.

For each patient, 10 mL of whole blood was collected in a clot tube.

 "Data" can be treated as a singular or plural noun, depending on whether the word
refers to a collection of data as one unit or whether individual results are implied.
Once the data is collected, the results can be tabulated.

When data for 2007 and 2008 were compared, the researchers found that violent
crime in the city had dropped by 12 percent.