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Drewauerbach Posted 20 years ago
Linguistics Studies
The First Sin
Now that I've posted what I feel are the "deadly" sins, I ask you kind folks to allow me to explain in greater detail why I feel they can be such a nuisance. I will begin with the first sin:
1) Incorrectly constructed parrallel structure (emphasis on the infinitive).
One of the more unusual aspects of English grammar is that we express infinitives using two words, to + conjugated verb. Commonly, the "to" part of the infinitive is ignored in parallel structure. Here are a couple example sentences incorporating this easily fixable grammatical error:
A. WRONG: I like to run and play. RIGHT: I like to run and to play.
B. WRONG: She said she's going to call us soon, ask us what time the movie is, and meet us there.
RIGHT: She said she's going to call us soon, to ask us what time the movie is, and to meet us there.
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Let's look at example A, shall we? I'm going "to fragment" the first sentence, so to speak: <I> <like> <to run> <and> <play>. Now, because the creator of the first sentence disobeys parallel strucutre, (s)he cannot interchange <to run> and <play>, for the sentence would become absurd: I like play and to run. Another way to reword this sentence, however, would be to say, "<I> <<like> <to run>> <and> <I> <play>." Without the fragmentation bars, the sentence simply is, "I like to run and I play." Notice how the meaning of the sentence stands in stark contrast now to the second sentence, "<I> <like> <to run> <and> <to play>," which can be reworded to say, "<I> <like> <to run> <and> <I> <like> <to play>." For this change in meaning, I implore all of you to take parallel structure seriously, even if it does seem trivial to ignore what you may feel is just another "to."
1) Incorrectly constructed parrallel structure (emphasis on the infinitive).
One of the more unusual aspects of English grammar is that we express infinitives using two words, to + conjugated verb. Commonly, the "to" part of the infinitive is ignored in parallel structure. Here are a couple example sentences incorporating this easily fixable grammatical error:
A. WRONG: I like to run and play. RIGHT: I like to run and to play.
B. WRONG: She said she's going to call us soon, ask us what time the movie is, and meet us there.
RIGHT: She said she's going to call us soon, to ask us what time the movie is, and to meet us there.
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Let's look at example A, shall we? I'm going "to fragment" the first sentence, so to speak: <I> <like> <to run> <and> <play>. Now, because the creator of the first sentence disobeys parallel strucutre, (s)he cannot interchange <to run> and <play>, for the sentence would become absurd: I like play and to run. Another way to reword this sentence, however, would be to say, "<I> <<like> <to run>> <and> <I> <play>." Without the fragmentation bars, the sentence simply is, "I like to run and I play." Notice how the meaning of the sentence stands in stark contrast now to the second sentence, "<I> <like> <to run> <and> <to play>," which can be reworded to say, "<I> <like> <to run> <and> <I> <like> <to play>." For this change in meaning, I implore all of you to take parallel structure seriously, even if it does seem trivial to ignore what you may feel is just another "to."
Top answer
Drew, you need to let this go. You will not convince anyone here of your arguments. I agree that a lack of parallel (look up the spelling, by the way) structure can be a problem, but not the way you describe.
- Drew, you need to let this go.
- You will not convince anyone here of your arguments.
- I agree that a lack of parallel (look up the spelling, by the way) structure can be a problem, but not the way you describe.
- " Or when they have a list of bullets and some are full sentences and some are noun phrases and some are adjectival phrases.
- In any case, this is the last I shall say to you on your absurd sins.
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4 Answers
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Drew, you need to let this go. You will not convince anyone here of your arguments.
I agree that a lack of parallel (look up the spelling, by the way) structure can be a problem, but not the way you describe. Lack of parallelism is when someone say "I like to play the piano and swimming" or "She is is tall, pretty, and taking care of my cats." Or when they have a list of bullets and some
I agree that a lack of parallel (look up the spelling, by the way) structure can be a problem, but not the way you describe. Lack of parallelism is when someone say "I like to play the piano and swimming" or "She is is tall, pretty, and taking care of my cats." Or when they have a list of bullets and some
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Now, Jim, if you're going to start writing country and western song titles, you must realize that she left in my pick up truck is a better choice
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