Understanding Parallel

Structures
What is Parallel Structure?
 What is Parallel Structure?

Parallel structure is the repetition of a chosen

grammatical form within a sentence. By making
each compared item or idea in your sentence
follow the same grammatical pattern, you create
a parallel construction.
 What is Parallel Structure?
Example:
• Ellen likes hiking, the rodeo, and to take
afternoon naps.
 What is Parallel Structure?
Example:
• Ellen likes hiking,

the rodeo,

and to take afternoon naps.

 What is Parallel Structure?
Example:
• Ellen likes hiking,

attending the rodeo,

and taking afternoon naps.

 What is Parallel Structure?
Example:
• Ellen likes to hike,

attend the rodeo,

and take afternoon naps.

Revise the following sentences into correct
parallel structure.
1. Every morning, we make our bed, eating
breakfast and feed the dog.
2. Joe likes running, walking and outdoor
activities.
3. We enjoy relaxing and like to sit out in the
sun.
 Using Parallel Structure
with Coordinating Conjunction
• When you connect two or more clauses or
phrases with a coordinating conjunction (for,
and, nor, but, or, yet, or so), use parallel
structure.
 Using Parallel Structure
with Coordinating Conjunction
• When you connect two or more clauses or
phrases with a coordinating conjunction (for,
and, nor, but, or, yet, or so), use parallel
structure.
Example:
• My best friend took me dancing and to a
show.
 Using Parallel Structure
with Coordinating Conjunction
• When you connect two or more clauses or
phrases with a coordinating conjunction (for,
and, nor, but, or, yet, or so), use parallel
structure.
Example:
• My best friend took me dancing and to a
show.
• My best friend took me to a dance and a
show.
 Using Parallel Structure
with Corelative Conjunction
• When you connect two clauses or phrases
with a correlative conjunction (not only…but
also, either…or, neither…nor, if…then, etc.),
use parallel structure.
Example:
• My dog not only likes to play fetch, but also
chase cars.
 Using Parallel Structure
with Corelative Conjunction
• When you connect two clauses or phrases
with a correlative conjunction (not only…but
also, either…or, neither…nor, if…then, etc.),
use parallel structure.
Example:
• My dog not only likes to play fetch, but also
chase cars.
• My dog not only likes to play fetch, but he
also likes to chase cars.
 Using Parallel Structure
with Phrases or Clauses of
Comparison
• When you connect two clauses or phrases
with a word of comparison, such as than or as,
use parallel structure
Example:
• I would rather pay for my education than
financial aid.
 Using Parallel Structure
with Phrases or Clauses of
Comparison
• When you connect two clauses or phrases
with a word of comparison, such as than or as,
use parallel structure
Example:
• I would rather pay for my education than
financial aid.
• I would rather pay for my education than
receive financial aid.
 Using Parallel Structure
with Lists
• When you are comparing items in a list, use
parallel structure.
Example:
• John Taylor Gatto criticizes public schools
because they are compulsory, funded by the
government, and destroy students' humanity.
 Using Parallel Structure
with Lists
• When you are comparing items in a list, use
parallel structure.
Example:
• John Taylor Gatto criticizes public schools
because they are compulsory, funded by the
government, and destroy students' humanity.
• John Taylor Gatto criticizes public schools
because they require students to attend, receive
money from the government, and destroy
students' humanity.
 We can do it!
1. Pick three cards from the box.
2. Use the words from the cards you got to
complete a sentence with a
3. Changing the tenses of verbs is allowed
4. Repeat instructions #1-3.
5. Be the first group to complete 5 sentences
with correct parallel structure.
 I can do it!
Choose the sentence that maintains a parallel
structure throughout.
a) I washed the dishes, am sweeping the floor,
and dusted the mantel.
b) I washed the dishes, swept the floor, and the
mantel was swept.
c) I washed the dishes, swept the floor, and
dusted the mantel.
 I can do it!
Choose the sentence that maintains a parallel
structure throughout.
a) The jellyfish floated in the current, glowed a
gentle blue, and a diver was stung by it.
b) The jellyfish floated in the current, glowing a
gentle blue, and stung a diver in the rear.
c) The jellyfish floated in the current, glowed a
gentle blue, and stung a diver in the rear.
 I can do it!
Choose the sentence that maintains a parallel
structure throughout.
a) The shepherd chased the sheep through the
valley, along the river, and followed them over
the hill.
b) The shepherd chased the sheep through the
valley, chased the sheep along the river, and
over the hill.
c) The shepherd chased the sheep through the
valley, along the river, and over the hill.
 I can do it!
Choose the sentence that maintains a parallel
structure throughout.
a) Howard looked for Desmond the Pug in the
bathroom, in the kitchen, as well as under the
bed, but he was nowhere to be found!
b) Howard looked for Desmond the Pug in the
bathroom, he looked in the kitchen, and in the
bedroom, but he was nowhere to be found!
c) Howard looked for Desmond the Pug in the
bathroom, in the kitchen, and in the bedroom,
but he was nowhere to be found!
 I can do it!
Choose the sentence that maintains a parallel
structure throughout.
a) The moose ate all the cookies, all the cheese,
and every last one of the burritos.
b) The moose ate all the cookies, all the cheese,
and it ate all the burritos, too!
c) The moose ate all the cookies, all the cheese,
and all the burritos.
 Sources:
• Evergreen Writing Center Library 3407 􀂊 867-
6420
• Your Dictionary
(https://examples.yourdictionary.com/parallel-
structure-examples.html)
• Khan Academy
(https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/gra
mmar/syntax-conventions-of-standard-
english/dangling-modifiers-and-parallel-
structure/e/parallel-structure)