16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardParallel structure in a series of infinitives

Standard English Conventions practice question

The apprenticeship teaches trainees to lay bricks, to mix mortar, and ____ a wall that stands true.

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

  1. A. to buildCorrect
  2. B. building
  3. C. how they build
  4. D. the building of

Answer: A. to build

'To lay, to mix, and to build': parallel infinitives.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. building
'Building' breaks the parallel.
C. how they build
A clause breaks the series.
D. the building of
A noun phrase breaks the series.

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