From TESTMAGIC TOEFL Structure Questions, 031-040

[raghuveer_v]

Erin,...

9. Although originated in tropical Africa, watermelon is now cultivated all over the world.


Although
originated ==> originating

The perennial problem: -ing or -ed form??? In this case, we need the -ing form since watermelon is the subject of the verbal originating.

is now
all over

I feel the correction could also be ...

originated => it originated

in which case the scentence would read...

9. Although it originated in tropical Africa, watermelon is now cultivated all over the world.

it seems, it conforms more closely to "parallel structure"

is it correct?


Raghuveer.

Edited by - raghuveer_v on 2002 May 31 02:06:31

[arti]

I too feel the same, Raghuveer.

Pls. comment Erin.

Arti Gupta

[Erin]

Erin,...

I feel the correction could also be ...

originated => it originated

in which case the scentence would read...

9. Although it originated in tropical Africa, watermelon is now cultivated all over the world.

it seems, it conforms more closely to "parallel structure"

is it correct?


Raghuveer.

Yes, of course this correction is fine; "Although originating" is a reduction of "Although it originated."

However, we cannot say that one is preferable to the other as there is no reason to use parallel structure here. Strictly speaking "parallel structure" is used when we are joining two like elements with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So), not with subordinating conjunctions (although, because, that, if, etc.)

We do often try to make elements parallel when they perform similar functions in a sentence. For example, in English we often have the choice of using singular or plural to refer to many things, and that choice should be maintained throughout the sentence. For example:

The lion is among the strongest in its environment, but humans have damaged its environment more than any other animal has.

is awkward because lion is singular and humans is plural. (And please forgive the lackluster sentence.)

We should change it to:

Lions are among the strongest in their environment, but humans have damaged their environment more than any other animals have.

Was this what you two were thinking? If so, this sort of "parallel structure" doesn't apply in our original sentence--it is perfectly acceptable to reduce an adverb clause; in fact, it's quite common to do so!

Please be sure to post back if you have any other questions!!


Erin

Please post further questions here.

Please search this newsgroup for FAQs.

TestMagic.com
San Francisco, CA USA

[raghuveer_v]

Thanks Erin, I think I understand what you say.
Yeah, I was thinking on somewhat "parallel" lines.

I am not sure about Arti, 'cos I edited my message just 1 sec prior to her post!



Raghuveer.