Identify the underlined portion that violates parallel structure:
The doctoral fellowship requires candidates (A) to demonstrate linguistic fluency, (B) publishing empirical research in accredited journals, (C) and maintain rigorous academic integrity (D).
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. (B) publishing empirical research in accredited journals
Answer: (B) publishing empirical research in accredited journals. Why not the others: (A), (C), and (D) are correctly formed and follow standard infinitive syntax.
- Step 1: Identify the coordinated series governed by 'requires candidates': the verb takes an object and a series of infinitives introduced by 'to demonstrate' in (A).
- Step 2: In (B), 'publishing' abruptly shifts into a gerund/present participle, breaking parallel structure with the infinitive 'to demonstrate' (A) and the bare infinitive 'maintain' (C). It must be revised to '(to) publish'.
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