Mixed Constructions

Jared Aragona

Mixed Constructions: Mixed constructions confuse readers. Untangle badly matched sentence structures and be sure predicates match their subjects.

A sentence with a mixed construction shifts mid-sentence in a way that confuses readers.

A mixed construction: For people who love to ride bikes will love the bike paths around Phoenix.

Two possibilities for re-writing this:

For people who love to ride bikes, Phoenix is excellent.

People who love to ride bikes will enjoy the bike paths around Phoenix.

A mixed construction:

In a desert environment like Phoenix, people must become accustomed to extremely hot days with temperatures over 110 degrees are a norm, especially in the summer months.

Sometimes writing two sentences is the best fix:

In a desert environment like Phoenix, people must become accustomed to extremely hot days with temperatures over 110 degrees.  Hot days like that are a norm, especially in the summer months.

The MLCKRB (Master List Code Key and Rule Book): An English Grammar & Style Handbook by Jared Aragona, CC BY 4.0

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Mixed Constructions Copyright © by Jared Aragona is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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