Parallel Structure and Grammar Errors

The video tutorial explains the concept of parallelism in grammar, focusing on ensuring that phrases and clauses with the same function are consistent in form. It provides examples of faulty parallelism, such as mixing prepositional phrases, infinitive and gerund phrases, and clauses with phrases. Each example is corrected to demonstrate proper parallel structure, emphasizing the importance of consistency in grammatical elements.

What does 'parallel' mean in the context of grammar?

• Elements with different functions should be alike.

• Elements with the same function should be alike.

• Elements should be in a sequence.

• Elements should be different.

Which of the following is a group of words with a subject and a verb?

• Sentence

• Clause

• Phrase

• Conjunction

Identify the error in the following: 'We went over the river, the bridge, and around the bend.'

• Faulty parallelism

• Incorrect verb tense

• Incorrect punctuation

• Lack of conjunctions

How can the sentence 'His big decision was whether to ride his bike, to build a sandcastle, or swimming in the lake' be corrected?

• Add 'and' before 'swimming'

• Change 'swimming' to 'to swim'

• Change 'to ride' to 'riding'

• Remove 'to build a sandcastle'

In the sentence 'The drill sergeant doesn’t care where you came from, your name, or who you know,' what is the issue?

• Lack of subject

• Incorrect verb tense

• Incorrect use of conjunctions

• Faulty parallelism

What is the correct form of the sentence: 'Ben likes riding in the car with the top down, but I prefer to ride with it up'?

• Ben likes riding in the car with the top down, but I prefer to ride with it up.

• Ben likes to ride in the car with the top down, but I prefer to ride with it up.

• Ben likes to ride in the car with the top down, but I prefer riding with it up.

• Ben likes riding in the car with the top down, but I prefer riding with it up.

What is the key to maintaining consistency in parallel structures?

• Using different conjunctions

• Using varied sentence lengths

• Using the same grammatical form

• Using different verb forms