May 2019
Beginner
192 pages
3h 44m
English
Content preview from Grammar Essentials For Dummies
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Chapter 5
Drawing Parallels (Without the Lines)
IN THIS CHAPTER
Constructing parallel sentences
Aiming for consistency in tense, voice, and person
Using pairs of conjunctions correctly
Creating parallel comparisons
In math class, you plot parallels on a graph. In grammar, you create parallel constructions. When I say parallel constructions, I’m not talking about lines that look like train tracks. I’m talking about the need for balance in speech and writing — the need to create sentences that aren’t lopsided. I’m talking about the reason Hamlet says, “To be or not to be” instead of “Being or not to be.” In this chapter, I show you how to avoid everyday errors of parallelism — what hard-hatted grammarians call faulty construction.
Seeking Balance
Can you spot ...
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If you’re of test-taking age, be aware that parallelism plays a starring role in the SAT but is less important on the ACT. Why? I have no idea. Maybe one of the SAT writers was mugged by an unparallel sentence during childhood.