Quiz# 1

Communication Skills Instructor: Muqaddas Inayat

(HU 1003)
Spring-24
Date: 27-03-24 Total marks: 10

[CLO#1, PLO#10]
Q. No. 1. Explain the following errors with the help of examples.
1. Parallel structure error
2. Fragments
 Quiz# 1 (Solution)
Communication Skills Instructor: Muqaddas Inayat
(HU 1003)
Spring-24
Date: 27-03-24 Total marks: 10

[CLO#1, PLO#10]

Q. No. 1. Explain the following errors with the help of examples.

1. Parallel structure error
2. Fragments
Answer:
Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, refers to using the same grammatical structure for
similar elements within a sentence. This helps maintain balance and clarity in your writing.
Parallel structure is often applied to elements such as lists, series, and comparisons.
Example without parallel structure: "The conference focused on engaging the audience, to
improve communication, and how to create effective presentations."
In this sentence, the lack of parallel structure makes it less clear. The elements in the list are not
presented in a parallel manner. Here's a corrected version:
Corrected example with parallel structure: "The conference focused on engaging the audience,
improving communication, and creating effective presentations."
Now, each item in the list follows the same structure (verb + object), improving the clarity and
flow of the sentence.
Here are a few more examples to illustrate parallel structure errors:
Incorrect: "She enjoys hiking, biking, and to swim in the lake."
Corrected: "She enjoys hiking, biking, and swimming in the lake."
Incorrect: "The project requires attention to detail, accuracy, and that it is completed on time."
Corrected: "The project requires attention to detail, accuracy, and completion on time."
Incorrect: "The chef is known for his delicious desserts, creative presentation, and the way he
pairs flavors."
Corrected: "The chef is known for his delicious desserts, creative presentation, and flavor
pairing."
By ensuring that the elements in a series or list have the same grammatical structure, you
enhance the readability and effectiveness of your writing.
Solution:
Fragment:
Definition: A fragment is an incomplete sentence that does not express a complete thought. It
often lacks a main clause, which is necessary for conveying a complete idea.
Example: "After the concert." (Fragment)
Correction: "After the concert, we went out for dinner."
Explanation: In the example, "After the concert" doesn't form a complete sentence because it
lacks a main clause. Adding "we went out for dinner" completes the thought.
 In the park.
 This fragment lacks a subject and a verb, making it incomplete. It doesn't tell us
who or what is in the park or what they are doing.
 Although he tried to finish his homework on time.
 This fragment begins with a subordinating conjunction ("although") and lacks a
main clause. It doesn't provide a complete thought or action.
 Running down the street and laughing.
 This fragment includes a participle phrase but doesn't contain a subject and a main
verb. It doesn't convey a complete action or idea.
Dangling Modifier:
Definition: A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that is improperly positioned in a sentence,
making it unclear which element it is meant to modify. The word or phrase it is intended to
modify is often missing.
• does not clearly refer to a specific subject.
 How can a Dangling Modifier be recognized?
• Dangling modifiers are most often found as the opening phrase of a sentence. However,
they can be found at the end of sentences as well.
Dangling modifiers frequently contain verbs ending in “–ing” or begin with the word “to.”
 This sentence states that the backpack (subject) was running to the bus, rather than the
person (implied actor or agent) carrying the backpack.
 The implied actor is not mentioned in the sentence at all.
  This type of error is called a dangling modifier, and it presents a problem in your writing
since it makes your intended meaning unclear.
 Dangling modifiers usually occur at the beginning of a sentence, though they can also be
found at the end of a sentence.
Example: "Walking to the store, the rain started to fall."
Correction: "Walking to the store, I felt the rain starting to fall."
Explanation: In the original sentence, "Walking to the store" is a dangling modifier because it's
unclear who or what is walking. The correction adds "I felt," making it clear that the speaker is
walking.
 There are two strategies to fix a dangling modifier.
 The first is to name the actor or agent as the subject of the sentence.
Example: Walking toward the forest, the sun began to set.
 (In this example, “walking toward the forest” is a dangling modifier
since it sounds as if the sun is walking toward the forest.)

Revision: Walking toward the forest, I watched as the sun began to set. (The actor, I, is named as
the subject of the sentence.)