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A mixed construction is a sentence that starts with one
grammatical form and ends with another. The result of the improperly mixed forms is
confusion.
Examples of This Trouble
Wrong: For most North American soccer fans who
watch the World Cup cannot understand British hooliganism.
(This sentence begins with a long phrase that promises to be a modifier,
but suddenly turns into the subject of the sentence. However, this mixed form is wrong. If
the sentence is to begin with a phrase, there must be a subject and a verb.)
Corrected: Most North American soccer fans who
watch the World Cup cannot understand British hooliganism.
Corrected: For most North American soccer fans who watch the World
Cup, British hooliganism is hard to understand.
Wrong: Because the shuttle program since the
tragic 25th shuttle flight has enjoyed several notable achievements gradually
regained the confidence of the public.
(The opening dependent clause starts off on one track, but the independent
clause goes off in another. The independent clause must have a proper subject, or the
sentence must omit opening the subordinate conjunction "because.")
Corrected: Because the shuttle program since the
tragic 25th shuttle flight has resulted in several notable achievements, space
flight has gradually regained the confidence of the American public.
Corrected: The shuttle program since the tragic 25th shuttle flight has enjoyed
several notable achievements, which have gradually regained the confidence of the American
public.
Wrong: Although he comes from a family of
alcoholics does not make him an alcoholic.
(The opening dependent clause starts off the sentence, but then a verb
intervenes without a subject.)
Corrected: Although he comes from a family of
alcoholics, his unfortunate social situation does not make him an alcoholic.
How to Avoid This Trouble
Although sometimes listeners may have little difficulty in following the
speaker’s intended meaning, mixed constructions often lead to confusion in writing.
Careful proofreading can help remedy this error. Pay particular attention to the
relationship between subject and verb or between clauses. And watch out for incomplete
grammatical forms, especially independent clauses lacking a subject.
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