CONSISTENCY IN TENSE, NUMBER AND PERSON, PARALLELISM
Tense
Example: We stroll down Bourbon Street as the jazz bands began to play.
inconsistent: stroll- present tense began- past tense
We strolled down Bourbon Street
as the jazz bands began to play.
consistent - strolled -past tense began- past tense
Exercise: Correct the following sentences for inconsistencies in tense.
1. Kevin sank a basket from mid court and the crowd goes wild.
2. Nestle introduced instant coffee in 1938; it takes eight years to develop this product.
3. We expand our sales budget, doubled our research, and soon saw positive results.
4. For twenty years, Dr. Dulfano observed animal behavior and seeks clues to explain the increasing violence among human
beings.
5. I knew how the system works.
6. I was driving out on Interstate 90 when a truck approaches with its high beams on.
7. Two brown horses graze quietly in the field as the sun rose and the mist disappeared.
8. Lollie had a big grin on her face as she walks over and kicked the Coke machine.
9. Maynard stormed down the hallway, goes right into the boss's office, and shouts, "I want curtains in my office."
10. The nurses quietly paced the halls, making sure their patients rest comfortably.
CONSISTENCY IN NUMBER AND PERSON
Example: The wise jogger chooses their running shoes with care.
jogger is singular
- their is plural
The wise jogger
chooses his or her running shoes with care.
Exercise
1. An individual's self esteem can affect their performance.
2. Jorge started drinking diet sodas only last November, but already he hates the taste of it.
3. The headlines encouraged us, but we feared that it wasn't accurate.
4. The defendant who wishes to do so, may ask a higher court to overturn his or her conviction.
5 Dreams fascinate me; it is like another world.
6. If a person doesn't know how to write well, they will face llimited job opportunities.
7 Oxford Universi6ty boasts of the great number of ancient manuscripts they own.
8 Always buy corn and tomatoes when it is in season.
9 The average American takes their freedom for granted.
10 Women have more opportunities than ever before. She is freer to go to school, get a job, and choose the kind
of life she wants.
PARALLELSIM
Example:
not parallel She likes dancing, swimming, and to box.
parallell She likes dancing, swimming,
and boxing. (words end in ING)
The cable runs across the roof; the north wall is where it runs down.
The cable runs across the roof and down the north wall. (use of prepositioins
across and down.
He admires people with strong convictions and who think for themselves.
He admires people who have strong convictions and who think for themselves.
(use of dependent clause)
Exercise:
1. Teresa is a gifted woman- a chemist, does the carpentry, and she can cook.
2. The shape of the rock, how big it was, and its color reminded me of a small turtle.
3. He is an affrectionate husband, a thoughtful son, and kind to his kids.
4. Marvin was happy to win the chess tournament and he also felt surprised.
5. Dr. Tien is the kindest physician I know; she has the most concern of any physician I know.
6. Joe would rather work on a farm than spending time in an office.
7. Every afternoon in the mountains, it either rains or there is hail.
8. Sesame Street teaches children nursery rhymes, songs, how to be courteous, and being kind.
9. Alexis would rather give orders than taking them.
10 His writing reveals not only intelligence but also it is humorous.
source: Fawcett, Susan.2004. Evergreen, A guide to Writings with Readings. New York:Hougton Mifflin Company.
