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avoid grammar errors dangling modifiers parallelism
Concise Guide to APA Style: 7th Edition (OFFICIAL)
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Understanding and Avoiding Common Grammar Errors in Academic Writing
Academic writing demands precision and clarity.
One crucial aspect of achieving this is through impeccable grammar.
This analysis delves into common grammatical errors, focusing on dangling modifiers and parallel construction, as highlighted in the provided text.
By understanding these errors, writers can significantly enhance the quality and clarity of their work.
Dangling Modifiers: A Closer Look
Dangling modifiers occur when a modifying phrase doesn’t clearly refer to the subject it’s intended to modify.
The text emphasizes the link between dangling modifiers and the passive voice.
The text states: “Dangling modifiers have no referent in the sentence.
Many of these result from the use of the passive voice (see Section 2.13).
You can avoid many dangling modifiers by writing in the active voice.”
The example provided clearly illustrates this point:
- Incorrect: “Using this procedure, the participants were tested.”
- Correct: “Using this procedure, I tested the participants.”
In the incorrect sentence, the phrase “Using this procedure” seemingly modifies “the participants,” implying that the participants themselves used the procedure, which is illogical.
The corrected sentence clarifies that the author performed the procedure, thus resolving the dangling modifier.
Another example is given:
- Incorrect: “Armitage and Martinez (2017) found that the treatment group performed better, a result congruent with those of other studies.”
- Correct: “Congruent with other studies, Armitage and Martinez (2017) found that the treatment group performed better.”
The original implies Armitage and Martinez are congruent with other studies, not their results.
The corrected version places the modifier correctly.
Parallel Construction: Maintaining Balance and Clarity
Parallel construction is essential for presenting ideas in a balanced and easily understandable manner.
The text defines parallel construction as: “To enhance readers understanding, present parallel ideas in parallel or coordinate form.
Use parallel structure in compound sentences, series and lists (see Sections 4.11-4.14), and table stubs (see Section 7.12).”
The text further elaborates on the importance of repetition of parallel elements:
“Ensure that all elements of the parallelism are present before and after the coordinating conjunction (e.g., “and,” “but,” “or,” “nor”).
For example, if the first part of the clause is introduced by “that,” the second part of the clause should be as well.
When a clause has two parts (and not three or more), do not use a comma or semicolon before the conjunction.”
An example of correct parallel construction is given:
“Ford (2020) found that homework is positively related to achievement and that the association is stronger in middle and high school than in elementary school.”
The incorrect version demonstrates a common mistake:
“Ford (2020) found that homework is positively related to achievement, and that the association is stronger in middle and high school than in elementary school.”
The comma before “and” is unnecessary and disrupts the parallel structure.
The text also addresses the use of coordinating conjunctions in pairs:
“With coordinating conjunctions used in pairs (“between .. . and,” “both… and,’ “neither… nor, “either … or, “not only … but also’), place the first conjunction immediately before the first part of the parallelism.”
The example provided emphasizes the correct placement of “between” and “and”:
“We recorded the difference between the performance of participants who completed the first task and the performance of those who completed the second task.”
Conclusion
Mastering grammar is a continuous process.
By paying close attention to dangling modifiers and parallel construction, writers can eliminate ambiguity, enhance clarity, and create more impactful and persuasive arguments.
The examples and explanations in this text offer a valuable starting point for improving one’s grammatical proficiency in academic writing.
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Avoid Grammar Errors Dangling Modifiers Parallelism
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