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Coordination Subordination Parallelism
Coordination Subordination Parallelism
1 Coordination
Expressions are said to be coordinated when they are listed or joined by coordinate
conjunctions. The standard coordinate conjunctions are and, or, but, yet. Clauses,
phrases, and even individual words can all be coordinated. However, items which are
coordinated must be of the same grammatical type. If they are not, the result is faulty
parallelism.
EXAMPLES
5. They brought some snacks but were hungry when they returned.
6.2 Subordination
Subordinate Clauses are often used to express a relation between two statements.
Frequently, the relation is expressed through the subordinator.
EXAMPLES
live longer.
Despite the name "subordinate," subordinate clauses are not necessarily less important than
the main clauses to which they are attached.
EXAMPLES
6.3 Parallelism
Parallelism occurs when there are parallel structures which have either the same or a
similar form. These parallel structures can occur within a single sentence or in two or more
sentences. Parallelism is an effective way of emphasizing ideas.
EXAMPLES
2. The government of the people, for the people, by the people shall not perish from the
earth.
Although parallelism can be an effective device, it can also lead to the grammatical error
called faulty parallelism. There are four basic kinds:
False Comparisons
in turn.
Faulty Parallelism in Lists
The items in lists and other coordinate structures should all be of the same grammatical
type.
EXAMPLES
creatures is difficult.
creatures is difficult.
If there is more than one auxiliary, either the main verb form must go with both auxiliaries or
a second form must be added.
EXAMPLES
1. INCORRECT: He never has, and never will, work for less than a fair wage.
CORRECT: He never has worked, and never will work for less than a fair wage.
2. INCORRECT: Despite the cuts there are services the hospital has, and will continue to
provide to doctors.
CORRECT: Despite the cuts there are services the hospital has provided, and will continue
to provide to doctors.
Correlative conjunctions are coordinate conjunctions with two (not only-but also, either-or,
both-and). The grammatical type that comes after the first part (for example, not only) must
also come after the second (but also).
EXAMPLES
1. INCORRECT: They not only corrected my grammar but also they suggested
several new ideas.
CORRECT: They not only corrected my grammar but also suggested several new
ideas.
False Comparisons
False comparisons occur when one of the items being compared is not the item the writer had
in mind.
EXAMPLES
End of Lesson
In order to keep their work from becoming monotonous, writers often try to vary their sentence
structure. There are two standard classifications you can use in order to see if all the
sentences in a text are all of the same type. One of these classifications is rhetorical; the
other is grammatical.
The rhetorical approach classifies sentences according to the way in which they present their
ideas; the grammatical approach, according to the number and kind of clauses they contain.
Neither provides an absolute measure of variety. Still, they can give you some idea of where
revision may be necessary.
1. Loose Sentences
In loose sentences, the main subject and verb are at the beginning, and modifying participial
phrases and subordinate clauses follow.
2. Periodic Sentences
In periodic sentences, the main subject and verb come after an introductory subordinate
clause or participial phrase.
3. Balanced Sentences
Sentences which are balanced are characterized by parallel structure: two or more parts of
the sentence have the same form.
4. Parenthetical Sentences
Sentences of this type have a non-restrictive participial phrase or subordinate clause inside
the main clause.
EXAMPLES
1. The company will build the bridge because it needs the money. (loose)
2. Although Mary tries very hard to be polite to her boss, she has trouble hiding her
true feelings. (periodic)
6. We will decide what to do next after we have received the results. (loose)
7. While waiting for the game to begin, the girls started telling jokes. (periodic)
8. The rider, casting his eyes upon the ground, handed the passenger a small piece
of paper. (parenthetical)
1. Simple Sentences
Simple sentences are those with only one main clause and no subordinate clauses.
2. Compound Sentences
3. Complex Sentences
Sentences of this type have one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
4. Compound-Complex Sentences
Compound-complex sentences have two or more main clauses and at least one subordinate
clause.
3. The woman who heard this cliche did not think it was appropriate. (complex)
4. After the first snow, Mark will pack and Doris will find a city where they can live.
(compound-complex)
7. Turn left where the river ends, and follow the small path to the old house.
(compound-complex).