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Parallel Structure Stu

Parallel Structure

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Atef Abdel Khalek
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© © All Rights Reserved
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9 views

Parallel Structure Stu

Parallel Structure

Uploaded by

Atef Abdel Khalek
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PARALLEL STRUCTURE

Parallel Structure describes sentence structure where the same pattern of words is used to show that
two or more ideas have the same level of importance. Parallel structure requires sentences that contain
lists, or predicates which have multiple parts, to maintain the introduced structure of the words,
phrases, and clauses, without mixing them. Oftentimes, these words, phrases, or clauses are linked with
coordinating conjunctions (“and,” or “or”).

Word Level:

Not Parallel: Not Parallel:


Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle. The production manager was asked to write his report
Parallel: quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner.
Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle. Parallel:
The production manager was asked to write his report
quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.

Phrase Level:

Not Parallel: Not Parallel:


Mary wants to go swimming, go hiking, and take a jog. The teacher said that he was a poor student because he
Parallel: waited until the last minute to study for the exam,
Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle. 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.
Clause Level:

Not Parallel: Not Parallel:


The coach told the players that they should get a lot of The salesman expected that he would present his product
sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show
warm-up exercises before the game. his slide presentation, and that questions would be
Parallel: asked by prospective buyers.
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of Parallel:
sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they The salesman expected that he would present his product
should do some warm-up exercises before the game. at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show
his slide presentation, and that prospective buyers would
ask him questions.

Lists After Colons:

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.

HOW TO CHECK???
Skim your paper, pausing at the words "and" and "or." Check on each side of these words to see whether the items joined are
parallel. If not, make them parallel.
Parallel Structure Worksheet

Most of the following sentences are out of balance because they lack parallel structure. On the lines
provided, rewrite each sentence, giving it parallel structure. If a sentence already has parallel
structure,write Correct.

EXAMPLE 1. Being compassionate and because she knows a lot about animals, Jessica will make a good
veterinarian. Because she is compassionate and knows a lot about animals, Jessica will make a good
veterinarian.

1. Rafael delivered his speech with confidence and enthusiastically.


______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. In 1923 Garrett Morgan patented a traffic light with red, yellow, and green lights that looked
very different from today’s traffic lights.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Mrs. Shapiro had heard about the new hockey league but not that there would be a team in
Greensboro.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. The selection at the downtown CD store is better than going to the mall.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. I have traveled by bus, by train, and by subway, but never by boat.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Thelma likes playing the clarinet,to march in the band,and watching the football games.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. The advertisement claims that this toothpaste kills more germs and prevents more cavities than
any other toothpaste.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

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