More Structural IssuesSplit Infinitives

Dangling Modifiers

Parallelism

Split InfinitivesAn infinitive is a verb combined with the word “to.”

to go to eat to walk to read

The grammar gods have decided that it is particularly heinous to split up an infinitive.

In other words, never put a word(s) between the “to” and the verb. to easily go to hurriedly eat to quickly walk to silently readto once in a while see

Fixing The Split InfinitiveTo fix a split infinitive, you need to move the

word(s) between the “to” and the verb.

Sometimes, you may need to rephrase some of the words or restructure the sentence.

He promised to whenever possible pick up his own dry-cleaning.

FIXED: He promised to pick up his own dry-cleaning whenever possible.

Fix These: My husband likes to once in awhile plan and

cook a dinner. FIXED: Once in awhile, my husband likes to plan

and cook a dinner. The group decided to, in spite of the long

detour, visit the ruined monastery. FIXED: In spite of the long detour, the group decided

to visit the ruined monastery. The director wanted to vividly re-create a

bullfight for the second act. FIXED: The directed planned to re-create a vivid

bullfight for the second act.

Parallelism Parallelism makes powerful writing. It

creates rhythm and repetition for added emphasis. Notice the following: We saw the children running, playing and

laughing. We came, we saw, we conquered. Of the people, by the people and for the people Do as I say, not as I do.

ASYNDETON:Linking items in a series w/o use of coordinators:They lived, they loved, they died.

POLYSYNDETON:Linking items in a series w/many coordinators:They lived and they loved and they died.

Parallelism Essentially, parallelism requires that

elements in a series of two or more be of the same grammatical structure.

The elements must all be nouns, verbs or any other part of speech, must all be phrases, or must all be clauses

Notice the parallel structure I just used?

Parallelism Bring the dictionaries, notebooks and

something to write with to class. FIXED: Bring dictionaries, notebooks and

pencils to class. The committee rejected the

amendment, shelved the proposal, and all questions were ignored by it. FIXED: The committee rejected the

amendment, shelved the proposal and ignored all questions.

Parallelism What do the rich know about disease,

those who are hungry, and being poor? FIXED: What do the rich know about

disease, hunger, and poverty?

Do you see how parallelism creates a balanced, flowing sentence that truly makes a point?

Parallelism Roger stared at the audience with his

mouth dry and his face was a blank.

FIXED: Roger stared at the audience with his mouth dry and with his face blank.

DANGLING MODIFIERS These are the most difficult modifiers to

recognize and to fix. The dangling modifier usually occurs as an

introductory phrase or clause. The subject of the sentence must be the logical doer of the phrase or clause.

Flying over the Alps, the view was breathtaking.

In this sentence, the “flying over the Alps” logically modifies the view.

We also know, logically, that a “view” can’t fly.o Therefore, this introductory phrase “flying over the Alps”

dangles—it just isn’t logically attached to anything.

DANGLING MODIFIERS To fix a dangling modifier, you MUST re-write the

sentence. Moving the modifier simply makes it dangle in a different part of the sentence.

Flying over the Alps, the view was breathtaking. The view was breathtaking flying over the Alps.

FIXED: As we flew over the Alps, our view was breathtaking.

We is the logical doer.

DANGLING MODIFIERS Joe’s face turned beet red when

offering Betty a ride. In this sentence, “face” is the subject. Logically, can a “face” offer a ride?

FIXED: After he offered Betty a ride, Joe’s face turned beet red.

DANGLING MODIFIERS

To be eligible for the contest, a subscription must be sent in.

In this sentence, “subscription” is the subject. Logically, can a “subscription” be eligible for a contest?

FIXED: If you want to be eligible for the contest, you must send in a subscription.

DANGLING MODIFIERS TO FIX THE DANGLING MODIFIER

Usually add a person to the introductory clause. Make that person become the new subject of the

sentence.

To be assured of a good cake, fresh ingredients must be used.

In this sentence, “ingredients” is the subject. Logically, can “ingredients” want to be assured of a good

cake?

FIXED: If you want to be assured of a good cake, you must use fresh ingredients.

DANGLING MODIFIERS Having walked three miles, the cabin was a

welcome sight. In this sentence, “cabin” is the subject. Logically, can a “cabin” walk three miles?

FIXED: After Bill walked three miles, he thought the cabin was a welcome sight.

To get home quickly, the dirt road offered a shortcut.

In this sentence, “road” is the subject. Logically, can a “road” want to get home quickly?

FIXED: We took the dirt road shortcut because it offered us a way to get home quickly.