cinarbe wrote:
Hey folks!
I have a simple question on which I, as a non-native speaker, am having some difficulties.
We all know that according to parallelism, all parallel clauses should begin with the same preposition or relative clause, but I have seen so many confusing structures, I had to ask this question:
Consider the following sentence:
I lost my final paper, to which I have spent great effort and a great sum of money. (Disregard the meaning since I couldn't come up with a scenario
)
As the meaning is clear here we opted to not repeat "to which". But when should one repeat the clause or the preposition?
I was also going the ask the 138th SC from OG13, but I figured it out, so I'll be glad if you could reaffirm me:
Most efforts to combat such mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue have focused either on the vaccination of humans or on exterminating mosquitoes with pesticides.
A and dengue have focused either on the vaccination of humans or on exterminating
B like malaria and dengue have focused either on vaccinating of humans or on the extermination of
C as malaria and dengue have focused on either vaccinating humans or on exterminating
D as malaria and dengue have focused on either vaccinating of humans or on extermination of
E as malaria and dengue have focused on either vaccinating humans or exterminating
Since the paralellism should be between two clauses of either.... and or.... the OA is E. But what if C was something like "as malaria and dengue have focused on either vaccinating humans or exterminating" (without the 2nd "on")
Would that be also true?
I know I could have been clearer with the question I asked, but I think the experts here will understand what I mean.
I gladly await your response in my final day before the GMAT :D
Thanks in advance,
Cinar
There is one simple rule of correlative conjunction parallelism that you should be conscious about. The correlative conjunction parallelism involves the following pairs.
1. Either or
2. Neither nor
3. Not but
4. Not only but also
5. Not by but by
6. Both and
7. Not because but because
The thumb rule to note while using correlative, is that whatever form or structure is used after ( or the right side of ) the first arm of the pair should also be used after the right side of the second arm.
a. Eg: He is going
either to England
or to Ireland’ This is the correct form as the word to is used after both either and or ‘ It is wrong to say - he us going to either England or to England
He is
not only singing well but also dancing well; ing form used on the right side of both not only… but also. It is wrong to say – he singing not only well but also dancing well.
To come to your example from
OG (limiting just to correlative conjunction //ism): This is using either or; The same form that comes after either should be used after or;
A like Malaria and dengue e have focused either on the vaccination of humans or on exterminating -------
on the vaccination and on exterminating – not//--; on the vaccination of humans or on exterminating of mosquitoes is parallel. B like malaria and dengue have focused either on vaccinating of humans or on the extermination of---
on vaccinating or on the extermination of is unparallel; on the vaccination of humans or on exterminating of mosquitoes will be parallel.
(more importantly, A and B use like for comparison, which is not acceptable) C as malaria and dengue have focused on either vaccinating humans or on exterminating ----
either vaccinating humans or on exterminating—UN//. D as malaria and dengue have focused on either vaccinating of humans or on extermination of ---
either vaccinating of humans or on extermination of---UN// E as malaria and dengue have focused on either vaccinating humans or exterminating ---
correct //ism.
_________________
Thank you Daagh for your time on GMAT Club and all your contributions! Thank you for everything you did!Your work will remain a great tribute to you here on GMAT Club!
-bb