16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardParallel infinitives in a series

Standard English Conventions practice question

The course teaches students to plan a garden, to choose plants for its soil, and ____ them through their first year.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. to nurseCorrect
  2. B. nursing
  3. C. they nurse
  4. D. nursed

Answer: A. to nurse

The series is of 'to' infinitives.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. nursing
A gerund breaks the parallel.
C. they nurse
A clause breaks the parallel.
D. nursed
A past tense verb breaks the parallel.

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