Parallelism & Comparison

-

PARALLELISM & COMPARISON

PARALLEL STRUCTURE

·         Parallelism means that items that form a pair (two items) or items that form a series (more than two items) have the same grammatical form (are worded the same way).
·         Sentence elements that are alike in function should also be alike in construction.  These elements should be in the same grammatical form so that they are parallel.

·         Lack of parallel structure occurs when parts of a sentence should be in parallel grammatical form (should be worded the same way) but are not.

·          Parallel structure adds both clout and clarity to your writing.
·         When you use parallel structure, you increase the readability of your writing by creating word patterns readers can follow easily.

Five parallelism rules
1.  Use parallel structure with elements joined by coordinating conjunctions. (FANBOYS)
2.  Use parallel structure with elements in lists or in a series.
 He described skiing in the Alps, swimming in the Adriatic, and the drive across the Sahara Desert. (Faulty parallelism)
He described skiing in the Alps, swimming in the Adriatic, and driving across the Sahara Desert. (Parallel)
3.  Use parallel structure with elements being compared. (X is more than / better than Y)
4.  Use parallel structure with elements joined by a linking verb or a verb of being.
5.  Use parallel structure with elements joined by a correlative conjunction.

FAULTY COMPARISON

Any comparison between two or more items must have three characteristics:
                   completeness        consistency            clarity
    1. Completeness
    At least two items are needed for a comparison.
     Example 1 - incorrect:
       
    The above comparison compares Blotto ice cream's fat content to nothing.
     Example 1 - correct:
      
     Example 2 - incorrect:
       
    The above example is incomplete:  He ran so fast that what happened?
    Example 2 - correct: 
       
    Now the "so" has been qualified, comparing his running speed with the record.
 
2. Consistency
    A.  Items being compared must have a basis in similarity; in other words, the basis of                  comparison must be logical.
    Example 1 - incorrect:
           
    The example above compares rugs to a store (Macy's)
     Example 1 - correct:
       
    The correct version compares rugs to rugs.
     Example 2 - incorrect:
       
    The example above compares opinions to private citizens.

    Example 2 - correct options:
       
    The correct version compares opinions to opinions.
    B.  A comparison needs at least two items to compare.
    Example 1 - incorrect:
       
    The "anyone I know" in the example above includes Jim.  Therefore, the above comparison         illogically compares Jim to himself.
    Example 1 - correct
       
    The correct version compares Jim (whom I know) to others I know.
 
   Example 2 - incorrect:
       
    The "anyone we have heard" includes Megan.  Therefore, the above comparison illogically compares Megan to Megan.
 
    Example 2 - correct:
       
    The correct version compares Megan to others we have heard..
    3. Clarity
    Example 1 - incorrect:
       
    In this example, the meaning is unclear.  The sentence could mean
         Jacqueline gave her sister more affection than she gave her brother.

                                                             OR
          Jacqueline gave her sister more affection than her brother gave to her sister.
 
    Example 1 - correct options:
       
        In each sentence above, the intended comparison is clear.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Subject Verb Agreement(SVA)

-
SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT (SVA) A few important definitions:   1. Sentence – A group of words that gives complete meaning. 2. Components of a sentence – A sentence usually is comprised of subject, verb and object. There cannot be a sentence without a verb as it is considered to be the heart of a sentence. 3 . Subject – Performer of the action in the sentence is called as subject.   4. Verb – The word that denotes action or state of being of the subject is called as verb. 5. Object – Receiver of the action in the sentence is called as object.    For example: The boy kicked the ball . In this sentence, Kicked is the verb , Ask who kicked ; answer – the boy . So, boy is the subject , And what did he kick , the answer is the bal l . So, ball is the object in this sentence . NOTE: Only A Noun or A Pronoun Can Act As A Subject or Object In A Sentence. RULES OF SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT I. Basic Rule of SVA: § ...
Read more

Direct and Indirect or Reported Speech

-
DIRECT & INDIRECT OR REPORTED SPEECH You can answer the question What did he/she say? in two ways: §   by repeating the words spoken (direct speech) §   by reporting the words spoken (indirect or reported speech). Direct Speech Direct speech repeats, or quotes, the exact words spoken. When we use direct speech in writing, we place the words spoken between quotation marks (" ") and there is no change in these words. We may be reporting something that's being said NOW (for example a telephone conversation), or telling someone later about a previous conversation. Examples §   She says, "What time will you be home?" §   She said, "What time will you be home?" and I said, "I don't know! " §   "There's a fly in my soup!" screamed Simone. §   John said, "There's an elephant outside the window." Reported Speech Reported speech is usually used to talk about the past, so we normally...
Read more

Active and Passive Voice

-
ACTIVE & PASSIVE VOICE Active voice : In active sentences, the subject is active or the subject performs the actions. For example The cow ( Subject ) is eating ( Verb ) grass ( Object ).— Active Voice Passive voice : In passive sentences, the subject is no longer active or the subject is acted upon by the verb For example Grass ( Subject ) is being eaten ( Verb ) by the cow ( Object ).— Passive Voice ACTIVE AND PASSIVE TENSES CHART SIMPLE PRESENT and SIMPLE PAST The active object becomes the passive subject. am/is/are +  past participle was/were + past participle Active: Simple Present The movie fascinates me. The movie bores Jack. The movie surprises them. Passive: Simple Present I am fascinated by the movie. Jack is bored by the movie. They are surprised by the movie. Active: Simple Past The movie bored me. The movie fascinated Jack. The movie surprised them...
Read more