Grammar Topics Final Parallelism Modifiers Clear Reference Coordination/Subordination Active/Passive Voice

Parallel Structure  Rule: Express parallel ideas in the same grammatical form.  Kind 1: coordinate  Kind 2: contrasted  Kind 3: correlative

Parallel Structure: Coordinate  Coordinate ideas are of equal rank and are connected by and, but, or, or nor.  Nouns should be paired with nouns, phrases paired with phrases, clauses with clauses, etc.  POOR: In the winter I usually like skiing and to skate.  Better: In the winter I usually like to ski and to skate.

Compared/Contrasted Ideas  Ideas that are compared or contrasted are parallel.  Poor: To think logically is as important to me as calculating accurately.  Better: Thinking logically is as important to me as calculating accurately.

Correlative Structure  Correlative constructions are formed with the following correlative conjunctions:  Both…and  Either….or  Neither…nor  Not only…but also

Modifiers  Place phrase and clause modifiers as near as possible to the words they modify:  Unclear: Larry spied a dog gnawing a bone on his way to school. (who is going to school, Larry or the dog?).  Better: On his way to school, Larry spied a dog eating a bone.

Problematic Modifiers  Dangling Modifier: A modifying phrase or clause must clearly and sensibly modify a word in the sentence.  Poor: Eating my dinner quietly, the explosion made me jump.  Better: Eating my dinner quietly, I jumped up when I heard the explosion.

Problem Modifiers  Two Way Modifiers: When a modifier refers to more than one thing, it’s confusing.  Poor: The Prime Minister said in the press interview her opponent spoke honestly.  Better: In the press interview, the Prime Minister said her opponent spoke honestly.

Modifiers-Does it work?  My students wrote essays about whales and botany on the Science exam.  Shelby told me in the evening that I could wear her jersey.  To complete her project, a set of sharpies and ruler is needed.

Clear Reference  A pronoun must refer clearly to the right antecedent.  Poor: After the children carefully wrapped the packages, Mrs. Smith sent them off. (does “them” refer to the packages or the children?)  Better: Mrs. Smith sent off the packages that the children had carefully wrapped.

Avoid General & Weak Reference  Occurs when a pronoun refers to an idea that is vaguely expressed (general) or when the antecedent has not been expressed but exists in writer’s mind (weak)  Pronouns commonly used this way include: which, this that, it.  Poor: The pie fell off the counter, the lights went out and the cat ran outside. This made me call mom for help. (general)  Better: I called mom for help after the pie fell off the counter, the lights went out and the cat ran outside.  Poor: Mother is very interested in psychiatry but she doesn’t believe they have all the answers. (weak, who is “they”)

Coordination/Subordination  Make clear the relationship between subordinate adverb clauses and independent clauses by selecting subordinate conjunctions that work.  Poor: Bertha is quiet, and she can really out perform any Senior.  Better: Although she is quiet, Bertha can out perform any Senior.

Coordination/Subordination  Do these work well?  Mozart was three when he composed his first song, and he was encouraged to practice every day.  The statue, which was crafted of the finest marble, is the only remaining sculpture of the Venetian artist.

Active and Passive Voice  Sentences can be written or spoken in the active or passive voice.  In the active voice, the subject of the sentence acts upon something or someone. Ex: Barb sang the song.  In the passive voice, the subject is acted upon. Ex: The song was sung by Barb.

Active and Passive Voice Active Voice: The twister left a path of destruction. Passive Voice: A path of destruction was left by the twister. It’s better to use Active Voice. Use it.

Random stuff you should know  Appositive: Gary, Sponge Bob’s neighbor, has a funny nose.  Participial Phrase: Charmed by Leslie’s speech, Maria openly wept.  Single word modifiers: Lance, exhausted and thirsty from the race, still managed to win.