More structural issues
Download as PPT, PDF1 like805 views
The document discusses several structural issues with sentences: 1) Split infinitives occur when words are placed between "to" and the verb in an infinitive phrase, which should be avoided. 2) Dangling modifiers result when the subject of the sentence is not logically connected to an introductory phrase or clause. 3) Parallel structure creates emphasis and rhythm when elements in a series use the same grammatical form. Sentences should be edited to maintain parallelism.
More structural issues
- 1. More Structural Issues Split Infinitives Dangling Modifiers Parallelism
- 2. Split Infinitives An infinitive is a verb combined with the word “to.” to go to eat to walk to read The grammar gods have decided that it is particularly heinous to split up an infinitive. In other words, never put a word(s) between the “to” and the verb. to easily go to hurriedly eat to quickly walk to silently read to once in a while see
- 3. Fixing The Split Infinitive To fix a split infinitive, you need to move the word(s) between the “to” and the verb. Sometimes, you may need to rephrase some of the words or restructure the sentence. ⇒ He promised to whenever possible pick up his own dry-cleaning. FIXED: He promised to pick up his own dry- cleaning whenever possible.
- 4. Fix These: My husband likes to once in awhile plan and cook a dinner. FIXED: Once in awhile, my husband likes to plan and cook a dinner. The group decided to, in spite of the long detour, visit the ruined monastery. FIXED: In spite of the long detour, the group decided to visit the ruined monastery. The director wanted to vividly re-create a bullfight for the second act. FIXED: The directed planned to re-create a vivid bullfight for the second act.
- 5. Parallelism Parallelism makes powerful writing. It creates rhythm and repetition for added emphasis. Notice the following: We saw the children running, playing and laughing. We came, we saw, we conquered. ASYNDETON: POLYSYNDETON: Of the people, by the people and for the people Linking items in a series Linking items in a series w/o use of say, not as I do. coordinators: Do as I coordinators: w/many They lived, they loved, They lived and they they died. loved and they died.
- 6. Parallelism Essentially, parallelism requires that elements in a series of two or more be of the same grammatical structure. The elements must all be nouns, verbs or any other part of speech, must all be phrases, or must all be clauses Notice the parallel structure I just used?
- 7. Parallelism ⇒ Bring the dictionaries, notebooks and something to write with to class. FIXED: Bring dictionaries, notebooks and pencils to class. ⇒ The committee rejected the amendment, shelved the proposal, and all questions were ignored by it. FIXED: The committee rejected the amendment, shelved the proposal and ignored all questions.
- 8. Parallelism What do the rich know about disease, those who are hungry, and being poor? FIXED: What do the rich know about disease, hunger, and poverty? Do you see how parallelism creates a balanced, flowing sentence that truly makes a point?
- 9. Parallelism Roger stared at the audience with his mouth dry and his face was a blank. FIXED: Roger stared at the audience with his mouth dry and with his face blank.
- 10. DANGLING MODIFIERS These are the most difficult modifiers to recognize and to fix. The dangling modifier usually occurs as an introductory phrase or clause. The subject of the sentence must be the logical doer of the phrase or clause. ⇒ Flying over the Alps, the view was breathtaking. • In this sentence, the “flying over the Alps” logically modifies the view. • We also know, logically, that a “view” can’t fly. o Therefore, this introductory phrase “flying over the Alps” dangles—it just isn’t logically attached to anything.
- 11. DANGLING MODIFIERS To fix a dangling modifier, you MUST re-write the sentence. Moving the modifier simply makes it dangle in a different part of the sentence. ⇒ Flying over the Alps, the view was breathtaking. ⇒ The view was breathtaking flying over the Alps. FIXED: As we flew over the Alps, our view was breathtaking. • We is the logical doer.
- 12. DANGLING MODIFIERS ⇒ Joe’s face turned beet red when offering Betty a ride. • In this sentence, “face” is the subject. • Logically, can a “face” offer a ride? FIXED: After he offered Betty a ride, Joe’s face turned beet red.
- 13. DANGLING MODIFIERS ⇒ To be eligible for the contest, a subscription must be sent in. • In this sentence, “subscription” is the subject. • Logically, can a “subscription” be eligible for a contest? FIXED: If you want to be eligible for the contest, you must send in a subscription.
- 14. DANGLING MODIFIERS TO FIX THE DANGLING MODIFIER Usually add a person to the introductory clause. Make that person become the new subject of the sentence. ⇒ To be assured of a good cake, fresh ingredients must be used. • In this sentence, “ingredients” is the subject. • Logically, can “ingredients” want to be assured of a good cake? FIXED: If you want to be assured of a good cake, you must use fresh ingredients.
- 15. DANGLING MODIFIERS ⇒ Having walked three miles, the cabin was a welcome sight. • In this sentence, “cabin” is the subject. • Logically, can a “cabin” walk three miles? FIXED: After Bill walked three miles, he thought the cabin was a welcome sight. ⇒ To get home quickly, the dirt road offered a shortcut. • In this sentence, “road” is the subject. • Logically, can a “road” want to get home quickly? FIXED: We took the dirt road shortcut because it offered us a way to get home quickly.