Complete compound structures

In compound structures, words are often omitted for economy:

Example sentence: Tom is a man who means what he says and [who] says what he means.

Such omissions are perfectly acceptable as long as the omitted word is common to both parts of the compound structure, as who is in the example sentence.

Sometimes omitting a word results in an ungrammatical sentence because the omitted word is not the same in both parts of the compound structure. In such cases, you must put the word back in.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Some of the regular are acquaintances whom we see at work or live in our community. Revised sentence: Some of the regular are acquaintances whom we see at work or who live in our community. Explanation: The word

The word who must be included because whom . . . live in our community is not grammatically correct.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Mayor Davis never has and never will accept a bribe from anyone. Revised sentence: Mayor Davis never has accepted and never will accept a bribe from anyone. Explanation: The word

Has . . . accept is not grammatically correct.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Many South Pacific tribes still believe and live by ancient laws. Revised sentence: Many South Pacific tribes still believe in and live by ancient laws. Explanation: The word

Believe . . . by is not idiomatic English.

Exercises:

Needed words 1

Needed words 2

Needed words 3

Needed words 4