Fixing Sentence Errors

• When several choices fix the original error, eliminate the ones that introduce a new error
• Keep parallel form in comparisons ('driving is more tiring than flying')
• Keep parallel form in correlative pairs (both/and, either/or, not only/but also)
• Fix a dangling modifier by making the word it describes the subject of the main clause

On structure questions the original error is often obvious, and the challenge is that two or three choices appear to fix it. Work by elimination: a choice that fixes the run-on but creates a fragment is wrong; a choice that fixes the fragment but adds a comma splice is wrong; a choice that is grammatical but wordier than another grammatical choice is usually wrong. Parallelism in comparisons: the two things compared must share a form, so 'driving is more tiring than to fly' becomes 'than flying.' Correlative conjunctions come in pairs, and whatever follows the first half must match what follows the second: 'not only to win but also to improve,' not 'not only to win but also improving.' Dangling modifiers: an opening phrase such as 'Running quickly,' must be followed immediately by the person or thing doing the running. If the choices all keep the opening phrase, pick the one whose subject can logically perform that action.

• After you pick a fix, reread the whole sentence. A fix that creates a new error is not a fix.
• In a comparison, underline the two things being compared and check that they match in form.
• When you see 'not only,' look for 'but also' and compare what follows each.
• After an opening modifier and its comma, the very next noun must be the one being described.