Parallel Structure

Parallel Structure

Part Three of the Standardized Test Prep Series

Defined

• Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.

• This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level.

• The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as "and" or "or."

Example 1

• Not Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.

• Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.

Example 2

• Not Parallel: The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner.

• Parallel: The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.

**Notice that the wording has to be changed in sentence two to achieve parallel structure.

Example 3

• Not Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and his motivation was low.

• Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and lacked motivation.

Example 4

• Not Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.

• Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.

And Finally

• Not Parallel: The dictionary can be used to find these: word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.

• Parallel: The dictionary can be used to find these: word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs.

Practice #1

Rewrite each sentence to fix all parallelism errors.

1. It is easier to tell the truth than lying to people you love.

2. For her birthday, Marsha received a cake, some clothes, and she got a new CD player.

3. Jim wanted to scare us by telling us a ghost story and he showed us a horror movie.

Practice #2

Rewrite each sentence to fix all parallelism errors.

1. The witness described the suspect as tall, light-skinned, and with a beard.

2. Brian disliked not only playing baseball but also to run long distances.

3. The new house has a large porch, an eat-in kitchen, and the floors are carpeted.

Practice #3

Rewrite each sentence to fix all parallelism errors.

1. This plan is creative but a risk.

2. I want neither your sympathy nor do I want your pity.

3. Managing your money well is to be prepared for the future.

Practice #4

Write a word or phrase in the blank that will give the sentence parallel structure.

1. The little girl liked eating cookies better than ______________ at her grandmother’s house.

2. Students like to sleep, relax and____________________ during the summer.

3. He went to the store to pick up a carton of milk and two ____________________.

Practice #5

Write a word or phrase in the blank that will give the sentence parallel structure.

1. Food, shelter, and ________________ are all I need to survive on a deserted island.

2. _______________ is much better than a visit to the dentist.

3. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and ______ .

Practice #6

Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.

A. Marcus vowed that during his vacation, he would do nothing but sleep, fish, and maybe see a movie. B. Marcus vowed that during his vacation, he would no nothing but get some sleep, fishing, and maybe seeing a movie.

C. Marcus vowed that during his vacation, he would do nothing but sleeping, fishing, and maybe see a movie.

Write a sentence detailing your plans for vacation time using correct parallel structure.•

Practice #7

Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.

A. Bob's duties include answering the phone, taking delivery orders, and occasionally he drives the delivery truck. B. Bob's duties include answering the phone, the taking of delivery orders and the occasional delivery truck driving.

C. Bob's duties include answering the phone, taking delivery orders, and occasionally driving the delivery truck.

Write a sentence about your responsibilities using correct parallel structure.

Practice #8

Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.

A. In her cooking class, Erin learned to blend exotic spices, the substitution of ingredients, and to set an attractive table.

B. In her cooking class, Erin learned the blending of exotic splices, substitution of ingredients, and setting an attractive table.

C. In her cooking class, Erin learned to blend exotic spices, to substitute ingredients, and to set an attractive table.

Write a sentence listing activities from one of your classes using correct parallel structure.

Combined Practice

Select the correct fix for parallel structure.The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System extending over 2,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the head of the Great Lakes and ranks as one of the most amazing engineering feats of the twentieth century.

(A) extending over 2,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the head of the Great Lakes and ranks (B) extends over 2,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the head of the Great Lakes and ranks (C) extending over 2,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the head of the Great Lakes and ranking (D) extending over 2,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the head of the Great Lakes; ranking

Identify the subject and verb in the corrected sentence.

Combined Practice

Millicent decide/decides that it is often better to try repairing an old car than to junk it.

(A) to try repairing an old car than to junk it.(B) to repair an old car than to have it junked.(C) to try and repair an old car than to junk them.(D) to try to repair an old car than to junk it.

1. Identify the subject. 3. Identify the correct answer. 2. Identify the correct verb. 4. List one pronoun and its

antecedent from the corrected sentence.

Combined Practice

Feeling, perhaps, that their votes do not matter, the number of young people going to the polls are becoming increasingly smaller.(A) the number of young people going to the polls are becoming increasingly smaller(B) the number of young people going to the polls is increasingly smaller(C) increasingly smaller numbers of young people are going to the polls(D) young people are going to the polls in increasingly smaller numbers

1. Identify the subject. 3. Identify the correct answer. 2. What is the correct form of the verb? 4. List one pronoun and

antecedent pair from the corrected sentence.

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