WRITTEN EXPRESSION QUESTIONS (Paper and Computer) Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct. —— 6. More than half of the children in the 1,356-member district qualifies for SoA B SaROHiE reduced-price or free lunches. D —— 7. Five miles beyond the hills were a fire with its flames reaching up to the sky. aoe Cc aD. —— 8. Kettledrums, what were first played on horseback, were incorporated into the ran a Ge D orchestra in the eighteenth century. —— 9. When isa flag hung upside down, itis an internationally recognized symbol of ran BT ecaga Deri distress. —— 10. The Museum of the Confederation in Richmond hosts an exhibition which A documenting the origins and history of the banner that most Americans think of as. B Cc D the Confederate flag. PROBLEMS WITH PARALLEL STRUCTURE In good English an attempt should be made to make the language as even and balanced as possible. This balance is called “parallel structure.” You can achieve parallel structure by making the forms of words as similar as possible. The following is an example of a sentence that is not parallel: like to sing and dancing.* The problem in this sentence is not the expression to sing, and the problem is not the word dancing. The expression to singis correct by itself, and the word dancingiis correct by itself. Both of the following sentences are correct: Tlike to sing. like dancing. The problem in the incorrect example is that to singand dancing are joined together in one sentence with and. They are different forms where it is possible to have similar forms; therefore the example is not parallel. It can be corrected in two different ways: we can make the first expression like the second, or we can make the second expression like the first. I like to sing and to dance. Tike singing and dancing.256 STRUCTURE There are several situations in which you should be particularly careful of parallel struc- ture. Parallel structures are required in the following situations: (1) with coordinate con- junctions, such as and, but, or; (2) with paired conjunctions, such as both...and, either... 0% neither. ..nov, not only... but also; and (3) with comparisons. Skit 24: USE PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH COORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS The job of the coordinate conjunctions (and, but, or) is to join together equal expressions. In other words, what is on one side of these words must be parallel to what is on the other side. These conjunctions can join nouns, or verbs, or adjectives, or phrases, or subordinate clauses, or main clauses; they just must join together two of the same thing. Here are exam- ples of two nouns joined by a coordinate conjunction; Ineed to talk to the manager or the assistant manager. She is not a teacher but a lawyer. You can choose from activities such as hiking and kayaking. Here are examples of two verbs joined by a coordinate conjunction: He only eats and sleeps when he takes a vacation. She invites us to her home but never talks with us. You can stay home orgo to the movies with us. Here are examples of two adjectives joined by a coordinate conjunction: My boss is sincere and nice. The exam that he gave was short but difficult. Class can be interesting orboring. Here are examples of two phrases joined by a coordinate conjunction: There are students in the classroom and in front of the building The papers are on my desk or in the drawer. The checks will be ready not at noon but at 1:00. Here are examples of two clauses joined by a coordinate conjunction: They are not interested in what you say orwhat you do. Tam here because I have to be and because I want to be. Mr. Brown likes to go home early, but his wife prefers to stay late,WRITTEN EXPRESSION QUESTIONS (Paper and Computer) 257 The following chart outlines the use of parallel structures with coordinate conjunctions: PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH COORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS and (came structure) but (came structure) or ‘and (same structure), (same structure), but (same structure) or EXERCISE 24: Each of the following sentences contains words or groups of words that should be parallel. Circle the word that indicates that the sentence should have parallel parts. Underline the parts that should be parallel. Then indicate if the sentences are cor- rect (C) or incorrect (1) ! 2 SkiLt 25: 1 She held jobs as a typist, a housekeeper, in a restaurant. the file(or) on the desk. She works very hard but usually gets below-average grades. The report you are looking for could b The speaker introduced himself, told several interesting anecdotes, and finishing with an emotional plea. ‘You should know when the program starts and how many units you must complete. The term paper he wrote was rather short but very impressive. She suggested taking the plane this evening or that we go by train tomorrow. The dean or the assistant dean will inform you of when and where you should apply for your diploma. There are papers to file, reports to type, and those letters should be answered. ‘The manager needed a quick but thorough response. USE PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH PAIRED CONJUNCTIONS The paired conjunctions both... and, either....0% neither...noz, and not only... but also require parallel structures. I know both where you went and what you did. Either ck orSue has the book. ‘The tic. 2ts are neither in my pocket nor in my purse. He is not only an excelient student but also an outstanding athlete.258 STRUCTURE ‘The following is not parallel and must be corrected: He wants either to go by train or by plane*. Itis not correct because to go by train is not parallel to by plane. It can be corrected in several ways. He wants either to go by train orto go by plane. He wants to go either by train or by plan He wants to go by either train or plane. When you are using these paired conjunctions, be sure that the correct parts are used together. The following are incorrect: I want both this book or* that one. Either Sam nor* Sue is taking the course. These sentences are incorrect because the wrong parts of the paired conjunctions are used together. In the first example, and should be used with both. In the second example, or should be used with either The following chart outlines the use of parallel structure with paired conjunctions: PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH PAIRED CONJUNCTIONS. both ‘and ether (same structure) cr (same structure) neither nor not only but also EXERCISE 25: Each of the following sentences contains words or groups of words that should be parallel. Circle the word or words that indicate that the sentence should have parallel parts. Underline the parts that should be parallel. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I). —_ 1. According to the syllabus, you can write a pape! ou can take an exam. —£_ 2 Itwould be noticed (and) appreciated if you could finish the work before you leave. —— 3. She would like neither to see a movie or to go bowling. —— 4. Either the manager or her assistant can help you with your refund. —— 5. She wants not only to take a trip to Europe but she also would like to travel to Asia. —— 6. He could correct neither what you said nor you wrote. —— 7. Both the tailor or the laundress could fix the damage to the dress. —— 8 Henotonly called the poif’ department but also called the fire department.‘WRITTEN EXPRESSION QUESTIONS (Paper and Computer) 259 —— 9. Youcan graduate either at the end of the fall semester or you can graduate at the end of the spring semester. 10. The movie was neither amusing nor was it interesting. SkiLt 26: USE PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH COMPARISONS When you make a comparison, you point out the similarities or differences between two things, and those similarities or differences must be in parallel form. You can recognize a comparison showing how two things are different from the -er... than or the more... than. My school is farther than your school. To be rich is better than to be poor. ‘What is written is more easily understood than what is spoken. A comparison showing how two things are the same might contain as...as or expressions such as the same as or similar to. The Renting those apartments costs about the same as leasing them. The work that I did is similar to the work that you did. ar is as big asa small house. The following chart outlines the use of parallel structures with comparisons: PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH COMPARISONS more... than -er...than less ...than as...05 the same ....as similar ...to (same structure) (came structure) EXERCISE 26: Each of the following sentences contains words or groups of words that should be parallel. Circle the word or words that indicate that the sentence should have parallel parts. Underline the parts that should be parallel. Then indicate if each sentence is correct (C) or incorrect (I). —£_ 1. His research for the thesis was (more useful than) hers. | 2. Dining in a restaurant is @aore fun than) to eat at home. —— 3 Iwanta new secretary who is as efficient as the previous one. —— 4. Whatyou do today should be the same as did yesterday. —— 5. This lesson is more difficult than we had before. —— 6. Youhave less homework than they do.260 STRUCTURE What you do has more effect than what you say. Music in your country is quite similar to my country. The collection of foreign journals in the university library is more extensive than the high school library. How to buy a used car can be as difficult as buying a new car. EXERCISE (Skills 24-26): Circle the word or words that indicate that the sentence should have parallel parts. Underline the parts that should be parallel. Then indicate if the sen- tences are correct (C) or incorrect (I). —d. After retirement he plans on traveling to exotic locations, dine in the finest restaurants, and playing a lot of golf. She was both surprised by and pleased with the seminar. ‘What came after the break was even more boring than had come before. He would find the missing keys neither under the bed or behind the sofa. Depending on the perspective of the viewer, the film was considered laudable, mediocrity, or horrendous. He exercised not only in the morning, but he also exercised every afternoon. ‘Working four days per week is much more relaxing than working five days per week. Sam is always good-natured, generous, and helps you. Either you have to finish the project, or the contract will be canceled. The courses that you are-required to take are more important than the courses that you choose. ‘TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 24-26): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best completes the sentence. 1. Truman Capote’s Jn Cold Blood is neither 2. Vitamin C is necessary for the journalistically accurate prevention and —__ of scurvy. (A) apiece of fiction (A) itcures (B)_ nora fictitious work (B) cures (©) orwritten in a fictitious way (C) cure (D) nor completely fictitious (D)_ for curingWRITTEN EXPRESSION QUESTIONS (Paper and Computer) 261 8. A baby’s development is influenced by both heredity and (A)_ by environmental factors (B) environmentally (C)_ the influence of the environment (D) environment 4. Because bone loss occurs earlier in women than __, the effects of osteoporosis are more apparent in women. (A) men do (B) inmen (©) asmen (D) similar to men Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct. —— 5. Fire extinguishers can contain liquefied gas, dry chemicals, or watery. & B cD —— 6. The U.S. Congress consists of both the Senate as well as the House of Representatives. a B —— 7. The prison population in this state, now x D atan all time high, is higher than any state. ¢ feeders B —— 8. Awell-composed baroque opera achieves a delicate balance by focusing alternately x B careres: c on the aural, visual, emotional, and philosophy elements. D —— 9. Manufacturers may use food additives for preserving, to color, to flavor, or to fortify x B om foods. D c —— 10. Abankruptcy may be either voluntary nor involuntary. x Cea B TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skills 1-26): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best completes the sentence. 1. The growth of hair cyclical process, with phases of activity and inactivity. (A) itis (B) isa (C) which is (D) aregular 2. The fire to have started in the furnace under the house. (A) is believed (B) thats believed (C)_ they believe (D) that they believe 3. In Roman numerals, numeric values. symbols for (A) are letters of the alphabet (B) letters of the alphabet are (C)_ which uses letters of the alphabet (D)_ in which letters of the alphabet are 4, The legal systems of most countries can be classified common law or civil Taw. (A) aseither (B) either as (C) either to (D) toeither