Grammar Help

GRAMMAR HELP
Remedial classes
Parallel structure
◦ Means: using the same pattern of This can happen at the word,
words to show that two or more ideas phrase, or clause level.
have the same level of importance.
The usual way to join parallel structures is

with the use of
coordinating conjunctions such as "and"
or "or."
More examples
◦ Not parallel:
◦ Ellen likes riding horses, the rodeo, and to take afternoon naps.
Parallel:
Ellen likes riding horses, attending to the rodeo, and taking afternoon naps.
Parallel:
Ellen likes to ride horses, attend to the rodeo, and take afternoon naps.
WORDS AND PHRASES
◦ Parallel:
◦ Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling.
◦ Parallel:
◦ Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle.
OR
Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle.
◦ Not Parallel:
The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed
manner.
◦ Parallel:
The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.
Clauses
A parallel structure that begins with clauses must keep on with clauses.
Example 1
Not Parallel:
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too
much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.
Parallel:
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too
much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.
— or —Parallel:
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, not eat too much, and do some
warm-up exercises before the game.
Not Parallel:
The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that he would have
time to show his slide presentation, and that questions would be asked by prospective
buyers. (passive)
Parallel:
The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that he would have
time to show his slide presentation, and that prospective buyers would ask him questions.
Lists After a Colon

Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form.
Not Parallel:
The dictionary can be used to find these: word meanings, pronunciations, correct
spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.
Parallel:
The dictionary can be used to find these: word meanings, pronunciations, correct
spellings, and irregular verbs.
REPORTED SPEECH
EITHER AND NEITHER
◦ We use 'either + a singular noun' to mean 'this one or that one' when we are talking about two
things of the same kind (like two drinks or two t-shirts).
◦ Either drink is fine. I like both kinds.

◦ We could go to either restaurant.
◦ Julie might buy either t-shirt.
◦ We use 'neither + a singular noun'' to mean 'not this one and also not that one' when we are
talking about two things of the same kind.
◦ Neither drink is fine. John hates both of them.

◦ Neither restaurant is good. Let's go somewhere else.
•We use 'either of + plural noun' and 'neither of + plural noun' before a pronoun or a word
like 'this' or 'the' or 'my'.
•Either of my dresses is good. (= this dress is good and also that dress is good.)
•Either of us can get the key.
•Neither of my dresses will do. (both of my dresses are not good.)

•Neither of us will be on time.
•We can use 'either' and 'neither' on
their own when we have already said
the noun.
•Which drink would you like? Either

is fine.
•Which cake do you want? Neither!
I'm going to have an apple.
◦ if we want to talk about two different things, we can use 'either + noun + or + noun'. We don't need to
use 'of' in this case.
Either coffee or tea is fine.
We could use either blue paint or

red paint.
She will buy either some apples

or some oranges.
We can also use 'neither + noun + nor + noun'. This tells us about two negative ideas, but it's quite
formal. It's more normal just to use 'not + or'.
I don't like coffee or tea.

I like neither coffee nor tea.
We can also use 'neither' at the beginning of a sentence or clause.

It means 'also not'. We need to use inverted word order afterwards.
I'm not at home. Neither is John.

This is often used to answer someone.
MODAL VERBS
• Can: habilidad o posibilidad, traducido

como poder (termino hacer).
• Could: habilidad o posibilidad en el pasado, • Ought to: sinónimo de “should”, no se
es el pasado de “can”. usa en interrogaciones en el inglés
• Will: Voluntad o determinación, se usa en el americano.
futuro sin tener un tiempo exacto de • Must: obligación, prohibición o
realización. necesidad, obligación de si o si.
• Shall: el mismo uso que “will”, pero usado • Would: preguntar algo de modo formar o
de una manera formal. pedir un favor, preferencia o deseo.
• May: posibilidad en el futuro, al igual que
• Should: obligación o recomendación,
“can”.
traducido como deber.
• Might: sinónimo de “may” para expresar
probabilidad.

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GRAMMAR HELP

The usual way to join parallel structures is

Lists After a Colon

◦ Either drink is fine. I like both kinds.

◦ Neither drink is fine. John hates both of them.

•Neither of my dresses will do. (both of my dresses are not good.)

•Which drink would you like? Either

Either coffee or tea is fine.

We could use either blue paint or

She will buy either some apples

I don't like coffee or tea.

We can also use 'neither' at the beginning of a sentence or clause.

I'm not at home. Neither is John.

• Can: habilidad o posibilidad, traducido

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