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Dangling Modifier + Parallelism

TACN2

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nctzen9600
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34 views

Dangling Modifier + Parallelism

TACN2

Uploaded by

nctzen9600
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EXERCISE 1.

It's unimportant to distinguish dangling modifiers (some of which are called


dangling participles) from misplaced modifiers. More important is to recognize a modification
problem and repair it. The following exercise provides typical dangling and misplaced modifiers:

1. After leaving the office, Melissa's car would not start.

2. To bolster sagging car sales, cash incentives were tried by domestic manufacturers.

3. Skilled at graphic design, the contract went to DesignPlus.

4. Walking up the driveway, the Hummer parked in the garage was immediately noticed by
detectives.

5. To meet the deadline, your Excel figures must be received before June 1.

6. As an important customer to us, we would like to tell you that we have moved our
administrative offices.

7. The attorney said his client was returning from the swimming pool when, without warning,
she was bitten by a snake on her right foot.

8. The Park Hotel is just one of the Art Deco buildings you can see strolling about South Beach.

9. Firemen rescued a dog from a car that had a broken leg.

10. Acting as CEO, several new employees were hired by Mr. Jensen.

11. Despite being paralyzed from the waist down, doctors hoped that Thomas would walk again.

12. I accept your kind offer to serve on the committee that I received on May 3.

13. Former hostage Terry Waite talked about his five years in Beirut with Barbara Walters.

14. While driving to work, the proposal deadline worried me intensely.

15. To find a good job, diligence and perseverance are needed

EXERCISE 2

Improving Parallelism Name ______________________

Although parallelism sounds as if it might be a gymnastic feat, it is a skillful writing technique


that involves balanced writing. Sentences written so that their parts are balanced or parallel are
easy to read and understand. Parallelism satisfies our basic love of symmetry. We remember
expressions such as of the people, by the people, for the people and Seeing is believing (not
Seeing is to believe).

To achieve parallel construction, use similar structures to express similar ideas. For example, the
words computing, recording, and storing are parallel because the words all end in –ing. To
express the list as computing, recording, and storage is disturbing because the last item is not
what the reader expects. Try to match nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, and clauses with
clauses. Avoid mixing active-voice verbs with passive-voice verbs. Your goal is to keep the
wording balanced when expressing similar ideas.

Lacks Parallelism Achieves Parallelism

Candidates must be reliable, creative, and Candidates must be reliable, creative, and
show enthusiasm. enthusiastic.

The committee is expected to monitor timeliness, The committee is expected to monitor


timeli-
quality is to be verified, and provide feedback. ness, verify quality, and provide
feedback.

Our advertisements have three objectives: Our advertisements have three objectives:
1. We want to increase product use. a. Increase product use
2. Introduce complementary products. b. Introduce complementary products
3. Our corporate image must be enhanced. c. Enhance our corporate image

Not only must we check our Web site, but also Not only must we check our Web
site, but
monitoring the entire Internet is necessary. also we must monitor the entire Internet.

________________________________________

Improve the following sentences by perfecting opportunities for parallelism.

1. My boss is well-informed, witty, and she is fair.

2. Business messages must be concise, correct, and written with clarity.

3. In preparing to write a business report, you should determine the report purpose, identify the
relevant issues, and then information must be collected.

4. Good listeners do the following:


a. They usually stop talking.
b. Remove distractions.
c. Questions are asked but they must be relevant.
5. Guidelines for improving workplace safety include changing locks before moving into a new
office, interior lights should be left on even when the business is closed, and fire exits must
always be kept unlocked.

6. Not only do we design and support your new wireless network, but also troubleshooting and
free consulting are provided by us.

7. The most important considerations for today’s job candidates are the salary, the environment
of work, and candidates give special consideration to career advancement opportunities.

8. This week’s program is all about money—earning it, investing it, and how you will spend it!

9. A high-powered MBA costs hundreds of dollars an hour. Our program covers the same sage
advice:
a. Starting a business
b. You will learn information about writing a business plan and understanding taxes.
c. How to write a marketing feasibility study
d. Employment benefits plans and licensing requirements are studied.

10. Not only were the training sessions stimulating, but also they were a challenge.

11. The proposal will elaborate on (a) dealing with the public, (b) how to obtain corporate
contributions, and (c) the timing of a marketing campaign.

12. One way small businesses can attract talented employees is to provide opportunities to
telecommute, working in virtual teams, and encourage employees to collaborate online.

13. Classes will be available in training for strength, being flexible, reduction of stress, and
aerobic/cardiovascular conditioning.

14. We have hired a consultant to help managers stay on track with the new organizational plan,
team resources must be developed, and they will monitor customer feedback.

15.[Convert to a vertical list.] To make a YouTube video you should first obtain a video
recording device such as a cell phone, webcam, or camcorder. The most popular YouTube
videos are video blogs, comedy skits, how-to videos, and travel videos. Decide what you want to
make. Remember that your video must be 10 minutes or less for traditional YouTube
membership accounts. You will want to create a video with good light quality, and that usually
means daytime recording. Finally, be sure to use computer editing software to change or delete
anything.

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