by

Karl Weber, M.A.

Study Guide

Roslyn Heights, New York

Video Aided Instruction, Inc.
English Grammar: Parallel Structure
v1.0
#VAI-S1086

This study guide should be used along with a program published by Video Aided Instruction, Inc. For more information, call 1-800 -238-1512 or visit us online at videoaidedinstruction.com.
 English Grammar:
Parallel Structure
Study Guide

For more information, call 1-800 -238-1512 or visit us online at videoaidedinstruction.com.

This study guide should be used along with the follow-
ing program published by Video Aided Instruction. The
Introduction
instructor works through the exercises found in this Video Aided Instruction’s English Grammar Series
guide – and much, much more – during the course of the
actual program. makes the tricky rules of English grammar easier
to learn than ever before – whether you’re new to
English Grammar: Parallel Structure English or you’ve been speaking it for years!
1 DVD · 1 hr. 18 mins.
item #VAI-1086 · price $39.95 each When you use a consistent grammatical pattern to
isbn 1-57385-108- 6 · upc 600459108694
link related gerunds, infinitives, and verbs in your
sentences, you’re using parallel structure. This impor-
Copyright © 2004 Video Aided Instruction, Inc. tant device helps you avoid clumsy sentence construc-
tion that can confuse and distract your audience.
To all users of the Video Aided Instruction publication
named above, permission is hereby granted to create Once you master parallel structure, your sentences
one (1) paper imprint of this document per person. In will flow logically and be easy to understand!
addition, teachers and librarians may reproduce paper
imprints of this document in quantities not to exceed Before you begin studying, let us make a few recom-
one hundred (100) imprints annually. All imprints and
reproductions made must retain all copyright notices mendations. First, have a notebook and pen ready so
contained herein. This authorization is granted for this you’re prepared to take notes. You’ll probably want
specific document only, and only when the document is to use the many on-screen graphics to take notes for
used along with the publication named above. yourself – when you’re done, you’ll have a notebook
on English grammar that you can refer back to again 2
Any reproduction or distribution of this electronic
document file itself – for example, copying this file to or and again.
from an Internet server, a disc, or an e-mail message – is

This study guide should be used along with a program published by Video Aided Instruction, Inc.
strictly prohibited. In addition, no part of this document Secondly, don’t forget to take advantage of your
may be reproduced by any means or for any purpose
other than as an aid during self-study or group instruc- “pause” button while viewing the program. This will
tion along with the aforementioned publication. allow you to try to complete the exercises in this
study guide before you view the answers on-screen.

Finally, don’t try to absorb too much at one time. By

Other Video Aided Instruction titles you might enjoy: viewing the program over a number of short sessions
(instead of all at once), you’ll stay “fresher” and
retain more of what you learn. And don’t forget: you
can review the entire program, or specific sections, as
Complete many times as you need to!
English Grammar
Series Now you can eliminate embarrassing mistakes from
10 DVDs
your speaking and writing forever. Let Video Aided
Instruction be your guide!

About the Author

To inquire about any of our products:
Karl Weber, M.A., is a professional writer, editor, and
web: videoaidedinstruction.com teacher. He is the author of two popular series of
e-mail: [email protected] test prep guidebooks, and has worked on books with
phone: 1-800 -238-1512 or 516-939- 0707 such noted personalities as former President Jimmy
fax: 516-935-5552
mail: Video Aided Instruction, Inc.
Carter, Ambassador Richard Butler, and U.S. Repre-
P.O. Box 332 sentative Dick Gephardt.
Roslyn Heights, NY 11577- 0332
 English Grammar: Parallel Structure Study Guide
Lesson 1 – Understanding Parallelism
Exercise 1

For more information, call 1-800 -238-1512 or visit us online at videoaidedinstruction.com.

Directions: Some of the following sentences contain errors in parallelism. Read each sentence and decide
whether or not parallel grammatical structures have been used correctly. If there is an error, revise the
sentence to correct it.
1. Just as Darwin revolutionized biology with his theory of evolution, Einstein’s theory of relativity
revolutionized physics.
2. Coach Jabbar demands three things of his players: hard work, that they have personal integrity,
and self-discipline.
3. Thrilled by the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill, thousands of prospectors rushed to California,
traveling by boat, by covered wagon, and walking.
4. Each of these three poets is admired for a different quality: Milton for his grand rhetoric,
Shakespeare for his sweeping vision, Chaucer for his simple humanity.
5. I agree with Hong Wei’s political views, but his way of expressing them is something I don’t agree
with.

Lesson 2 – Common Errors in Parallelism

Exercise 2
Directions: Some of the following sentences contain errors in parallelism. Read each sentence and decide
whether or not parallel grammatical structures have been used correctly. If there is an error, revise the
sentence to correct it. 3
1. We spent our days in St. Petersburg touring historic churches, magnificent art museums, and admir-

This study guide should be used along with a program published by Video Aided Instruction, Inc.
ing ornate palaces.
2. The doctors moved quickly to wash the wound, disinfect it, and applying a sterile dressing.
3. The hardwood floors in the old house were stripped, sanded, stained, and sealed with varnish.
4. In 1968, the Democratic Convention was held in Chicago, and the Republicans held their convention
in Miami.
5. Either the snowstorm must stop within the next two hours or the town festival will have to be
postponed.

Lesson 3 – Using Ellipsis

Exercise 3
Directions: Some of the following sentences contain errors in parallelism. Read each sentence and decide
whether or not parallel grammatical structures have been used correctly. If there is an error, revise the
sentence to correct it.
1. In accordance with the First Amendment to the Constitution, no state has or may enact a law
establishing an official state religion.
2. Many scientists agree about the causes of global warming, fewer about the best ways to combat it.

Copyright © 2004 Video Aided Instruction, Inc. All Rights Reserved

 English Grammar: Parallel Structure Study Guide
3. Baseball pitcher Cy Young’s lifetime record of 511 victories has never been challenged and probably
never will.

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4. As global trade increased, manufactured goods began to flow from north to south, raw materials
from south to north.
5. The main legal barrier to an improved school system has been eliminated and the economic
obstacles reduced.

This study guide should be used along with a program published by Video Aided Instruction, Inc.

Copyright © 2004 Video Aided Instruction, Inc. All Rights Reserved