Grammar S2 Week 11 & 12 Flashcards
What is a parallel structure?
Using the same pattern of words for two or more words or ideas in a sentence
Type 1: Lists
Generally, in list questions, three things are listed and you have to verify that all items in the list are in the same grammatical form
Type 1 Strategy
First identify that there is a list of items
Usually lists will look like this: x, y, and z
Make sure that the commas are separating items in a list and not just separating clauses
If it is a list, determine whether the items in the list are as consistent with the other items in the list as possible
Break down each item in the list by identifying the parts of speech of the words and make sure that all the items match
Type 2: Phrases
The construction of a phrase on one side of a conjunction must match the construction of the phrase on the other side of the conjunction as closely as possible
Conjunctions for Type 2
Coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Correlative conjunctions: word pairs, ex. either…or, not only…but also, as…as, both…and
Type 2 Strategy
If you see a conjunction connecting or comparing two items, identify the items. Then, break down the word in each item by their parts of speech and determine each phrases’ construction
Make sure the phrases are parallel
Also, a preposition used on one side of a conjunction or word pair must appear on the other side
General Strategies for Parallel Structure in Tests
- Any word or phrase underlined within a list indicates a possible error in parallel structure
When you see a list of items, make sure that all those items are in the same grammatical form - Make sure phrases that appear before and after conjunctions are parallel
The “phrase” parallel structure questions tend to be more difficult. Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) and correlative conjunctions (word pairs) not only…but also, so…that, at once…and, both…and, either…or, as…as - Break down the construction of items within a list or phrase
Identify the parts of speech of words within a list or phrases that precede and succeed a conjunction. Make sure the construction of the items matches as closely as possible
Walking my dog, I find the beach is no longer deserted: dedicated sunbathers lie on towels or sit in chairs, ________________.
A. read, slept, or talked.
B. to read, sleep, or talking.
C. reading, sleeping, or talking.
D. read, sleep, or to talk.
C. reading, sleeping, or talking
The internment of American and Canadian citizens of Japanese ancestry represents a low point in the history of those countries–a sad combination of racial prejudice, _________ and a failure of leadership.
A. war hysteria,
B. there was war hysteria,
C. people experiencing war hysteria,
D. war hysteria was a big problem,
A. war hysteria,
Before you can entertain any second thoughts, the plane has taxied and ______ off and is circling upward into the huge cobalt sky.
A. taken
B. took
C. had taken
D. had took
A. taken
It is impossible to talk–or protest–over the engines’ _______________ noise of the wind that blasts through the open doorways on either side of the narrow fuselage.
A. roar; and the
B. roar, and the
C. roar: As the
D. roar. The
B. roar, and the
After two weeks’ effort, I would always set the harmonica aside and ________ back to the baseball field.
A. had went
B. would of gone
C. go
D. would of went
C. go
Most important rule for commas
If you aren’t sure if you need a comma, you probably don’t need a comma
You’re more likely to miss a question because you add in an unnecessary comma
4 Key Rules for Comma Use
- Modifying phrases and clauses
- Introductory phrases and clauses
- Connecting independent clauses with a conjunction
- Separating items in a list
Appositives, Relative Clauses and Interjections
Any part of a sentence that can be removed without changing the sentence’s fundamental meaning must be bracketed by commas
Relative Clauses
Relative clauses are dependent clauses that describe a noun and start with a relative pronoun or adverb like which, that, where
Restrictive relative clauses
It clarifies the specific thing you’re talking about
Don’t use commas around a clause if it’s restrictive
Non restrictive relative clauses
It comments on a clearly defined noun
You do use commas if the clause is non restrictive
Appositive Phrases
Describes a noun or pronoun, but they don’t include a verb
When the order of appositives are reversed, they usually don’t require commas anymore
Interjections
Words or short phrases that disrupt the flow of a sentence like “of course”
If you see a word interrupting a clause, it needs to be set off with commas
Introductions
Any time a sentence starts with a dependent clause or modifying phrase, it must be followed by a comma
Connecting Independent Clauses (with a conjunction)
If you have two independent clauses and want to combine them into one sentence, you can use a comma and a coordinating conjunction
The important thing to remember is that using just a comma (no FANBOYS) to connect two independent clauses is absolutely always incorrect
A comma is also not interchangeable with a semicolon
Lists
In lists of three or more items, you must place a comma after every item, except the last
*Important note: On the ACT, you must use the oxford, or series comma which goes before the and
Lists of two commas
If and (or any other coordinating conjunction) is connecting two things that are not independent clauses, then you don’t use a comma
