Module 5.2: Faulty Parallelism Flashcards
What is faulty parallelism?
Faulty parallelism occurs when sentences feature inconsistently constructed clauses.
What are the types of faulty parallelism?
- Mixed verb tenses
- Mixed infinitives and gerunds
- Mixed nouns, adjectives, and adverbs
- Mixed plural and singular nouns
What is an example of mixed verb tenses in a sentence?
Lauren takes a run up and jumped over the wall.
How can the mixed verb tense in ‘Lauren takes a run up and jumped over the wall’ be corrected?
Change ‘takes’ to ‘took’ or ‘jumped’ to ‘jumps’.
What is the subjunctive mood?
The subjunctive mood is used when writing about something that is not the case in reality, such as a wish or possibility.
In the subjunctive mood, which form of the verb to be is correct for singular subjects?
Were.
True or False: ‘If I was rich, I would buy a desert island’ is correct.
False.
What is an example of mixed infinitives and gerunds in a sentence?
Duncan likes dancing and to sing.
How can the mixed infinitives and gerunds in ‘Duncan likes dancing and to sing’ be corrected?
Change ‘dancing’ to ‘to dance’ or ‘to sing’ to ‘singing’.
What is an example of mixed nouns, adjectives, and adverbs?
Previous managerial techniques were expensive and a waste.
How can the mixed nouns, adjectives, and adverbs in ‘Previous managerial techniques were expensive and a waste’ be corrected?
Change ‘a waste’ to ‘wasteful’.
What is the best practice regarding mixed plural and singular nouns?
Do not mix plural and singular nouns in a series.
What is an example of mixed plural and singular nouns in a sentence?
Side effects may include twitches and a headache.
How can the mixed plural and singular nouns in ‘Side effects may include twitches and a headache’ be corrected?
Change ‘a headache’ to ‘headaches’.
True or False: Mixing a mass noun with a plural noun is incorrect.
False.
What is an example of faulty parallelism in lists?
Respondents were asked if they prefer to run, to walk, or swimming as a form of exercise.
How can the faulty parallelism in ‘Respondents were asked if they prefer to run, to walk, or swimming’ be corrected?
Change ‘swimming’ to ‘to swim’.
Why is parallelism important in technical writing?
It enhances clarity.
What is an example of ambiguous construction in technical writing?
The manganese was placed into a glass beaker at room temperature, and the sulphate and calcium were placed into similar beakers and refrigerated to 2°C.
How can the ambiguity in the technical writing example be resolved?
Rephrase to: ‘The manganese was placed into a glass beaker at room temperature, while the sulphate and the calcium were placed into glass beakers and refrigerated to 2°C.’
