Mechanics review Parallel construction sentence structure and commas

Mechanics review Parallel construction, sentence structure and commas

Warning label I am a working writer, not a grammarian. / /I have enormous respect for grammarians. /But this is largely practical stuff, not theory

Parallel construction /When content is similar, choose a form of expression that works and stick to it. /Example: If a list of actions begins with an ‘ing’ word, use ‘ing’ words for everything on the list. ‘Running, flying, walking, etc. ’

Example: Articles /(wrong) The French, the Italians, Spanish, and Portuguese /(right) The French, Italians, Spanish, and Portuguese OR /The French, the Italians, the Spanish, and the Portuguese

Example: Prepositions /(wrong) In spring, summer, or in winter /(right) In spring, summer, or winter OR /In spring, in summer, or in winter.

Another example /(wrong) My objections are, first, the injustice of the measure; second, that it is unconstitutional. /(right) My objections are, first, that the measure is unjust; second, that it is unconstitutional.

Another example /(wrong) Paula went to work, a restaurant, and to the movies. /(right) Paula went to work, a restaurant, and the movies. OR /(right) Paula went to work, to a restaurant, and to the movies.

Which is better? /A) Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and she has an extremely pleasant personality. /B) Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and a pleasing personality.

Which is better? /A) Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a wise friend. /B) Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and friend.

Which is better? /A) Professor Ali rewarded his students for working hard on the final project and going beyond the call of duty. /B) Professor Ali rewarded his students for their hard work on the final project and going beyond the call of duty.

Sentence structure /Sentences must be complete. /Sentences should not be ‘run-ons. ’ /They /Two must express a complete thoughts should not be joined by nothing more than a comma.

Complete sentences /To form a ‘complete thought, ’ a series of words must /Be a main clause, not a subordinate clause /Contain both a subject and a predicate

Main and subordinate /The main clause does the main business of the sentence. /A subordinate clause adds information to the main clause.

Which is which? /Which is the main clause and which is the subordinate clause in this sentence? /The commission, a nine-member body that the City Council appoints annually, reviewed recreation fees in October.

Subjects and predicates /In the same sentence, identify the subjects and predicates. /The commission, a nine-member body that the City Council appoints annually, reviewed recreation fees in October.

Complete thought /Which of these clauses expresses a complete thought? /The commission reviewed recreation fees in October. /A nine-member body that the City Council appoints annually.

Run-ons /Two or more complete thoughts joined by nothing more than a comma. /Also known as a ‘comma splice’ or ‘comma fault. ’ /Not the same as a sentence that is simply verbose.

Example /(wrong) The philosophy has served us well for many years, no changes were recommended.

Three ways to fix it /The philosophy has served us well for many years. No changes were recommended. /The philosophy has served us well for many years, and no changes were recommended. /The philosophy has served us well for many years; no changes were recommended.

Fix these sentences /The computer is a useful tool, it can be used for writing papers. /If your parents think today’s fashions are weird. They should see the clothes people wore in the Middle Ages. /The woman ate a pear, she smiled because it was delicious.

And these Few people live in Antarctica. Because it’s too cold. /Brown bears include the grizzly and the kodiak, the largest brown bear is the kodiak. /Don’t slam the door. Which if I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a hundred times. /

Commas (partial list of uses) /Used with a conjunction, they join two or more complete thoughts into a compound sentence. /They separate items in a series. /They set off some subordinate clauses and phrases from the main clause. /They set off parenthetical information.

Forming compound sentences /I have painted the entire house, but he is still working on sanding the doors. /Exception: No comma if the clauses are short. I paint and he writes.

Items in a series /We need eggs, milk, bread, chocolate, light bulbs, and aspirin. /My $10 million estate is to be split among my husband, daughter, son, and nephew.

Setting off clauses /If you ever need any help with this, let me know. /The man, who appeared to be in his early 30 s, looked around before entering the store.

By the way…. /What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences? /The man, who appeared to be in his early 30 s, looked around before entering the store. /The man who appeared to be in his early 30 s looked around before entering the store.

Parenthetical information /Palen, 67, of 911 Eastman Ave. , Midland, was arrested Monday and charged with stealing a 15 -pound carton of commas from Lowes.

Fix these sentences /The public spoke up and we revised the budget accordingly. /When I first moved to Michigan from Alabama I thought I’d never get used to the winters.

And these /Jones, the assistant vice president for manufacturing said hiring will start to pick up in the spring. /She put on her coat, and walked out the door

Why the commas here? /The Power. Point design today, by the way, is ‘Chalkboard. ’