Page 152 - DENG102_COMMUNICATION_SKILLS_II
P. 152
Unit 10: Parts of Speech and Common Errors in English
RIGHT: He wants to begin immediately and to make his first sale before the end of the notes
year. As a result of this attitude, he will probably become a successful salesman. (“this”
must not refer to a cause, sentence or idea; it must refer to one specific word.)
3. Lack of Parallel Construction:
(a) WRONG: The man liked selling and to meet people. (“and” joins one gerund and
one infinitive)
RIGHT: The man liked to sell and to meet people. (“and” joins parallel infinitive
constructions)
RIGHT: The man liked selling and meeting people. (“and” joins parallel gerund
construction which express ideas of equal importance).
!
Caution Parallel construction applies as well to the enumeration of points, particularly of
recommendations.
(b) WRONG :
(i) The company should increase the price of all products.
(ii) Increase the variety of products.
(iii) Provide more services.
(iv) They should review their advertising program.
RIGHT
The company should:
(i) Increase the price of all products
(ii) Increase the variety of products
(iii) Provide more services
(iv) Review their advertising program.
4. Needless Shift in Tense of Verb:
WRONG: He usually makes sensible decisions although he frequently changed his mind.
(shift from present tense in main clause to past tense in subordinate clause)
RIGHT: He usually makes sensible decisions although he frequently changes his mind.
!
Caution Tense should be consistent within the sentence (as in example above) and from
sentence to sentence within the paragraph.
5. Needless Shift in Mood of Verb:
WRONG: Do this work carefully; you should also do it slowly. (Verb shifts from imperative
to indicative mood)
RIGHT: You should do this carefully; you should also do it slowly.
RIGHT: Do this work carefully; also, do it slowly.
!
Caution Generally, speaking, the imperative mood should be avoided in report writing.
This mood expresses a command or a strong request; a report should suggest or recommend
rather than command.
lovely Professional university 147
