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Parallel Structure

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ImamAchmad Baidlowi
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19 views

Parallel Structure

Uploaded by

ImamAchmad Baidlowi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PARALLELISM

Parallel Structure – Basic English

Moh. Kholilurrahman J., M.Pd.


What is Parallel Structure?
Parallel Structure
init ion
D ef
The repetition of a chosen
grammatical form within a
sentence
Why W
e Car
Good parallel structure e
improves the clarity of
your writing
WHAT DO YOU THINK?

This proposal is profitable, explicit, and


it helps us.
This proposal is profitable, explicit, and it helps us.

The sentence above has a parallelism problem.


“Profitable” and “explicit” are adjectives describing
the noun “proposal,” but “it helps us” is a clause.

This proposal is profitable, explicit, and helpful.

In the revised sentence, “profitable,” “explicit,” and


“helpful” are all adjectives describing the same
noun.
6
Parallelism in S
entences

• Poor: Betty has intelligence,


honesty, and she is funny.

• Improved: Betty has intelligence,


honesty, and humor.
7
• Superbugs are adapting, spreading, and
kill thousands.
• Notice that two of the verbs in the
series end in –ing, but the third (“kill”)
does not. (Not parallel)
• Superbugs are adapting, spreading, and
killing thousands.
• All three of the verbs in the series end
in –ing. (Parallel)
Parallel Structure..?

9
Importance of Parallelism
• When you write a thesis
statement, often you have to
summarize three reasons in
parallel form.

• Example: Tobacco should be outlawed


because it endangers everyone’s
health, pollutes the environment, and
drains us of valuable energy. 10
11
Parallelism in Thes
is Statements
• Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ failed
in their relationship because he was
older than her, Scientology, and being
a celebrity.

• Improved: Tom Cruise and Katie


Holmes’ relationship failed due to
their age difference, their religious 12

beliefs, and their fame.


Parallelism with Clauses
The following sentence contains three short clauses, but
there is a problem with parallelism.

Did you know that you have a purpose, that you are
needed, and we love you?

To make the three clauses parallel, we have to add “that”


to “we love you” and switch the pronouns so that “you”
is in the same position in each clause.

Did you know that you have a purpose, that you are
needed, and that you are loved?
Parallelism with Conjunctions
Conjunctions are words like “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,”
“yet” and “so” that connect words, phrases, and clauses.
Wherever you see a conjunction, check to be sure the items
on each side of the conjunction are parallel.

James Baldwin was black, gay, and grew up in poverty.

The word “and” signals that a list is present. However, the


list in the sentence above is not parallel. “Black” and “gay”
are adjectives that describe James Baldwin, but “grew up in
poverty” is not an adjective. We’ll revise the sentence by
changing “grew up in poverty” to an adjective.

James Baldwin was black, gay, and poor.


Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are two-part connectors.


If you have one half of a correlative conjunction,
you have to have the other.

either . . . or
neither . . . nor
both . . . and
whether . . . or
not only . . . but also
Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions
Not only do constructions with correlative conjunctions need both
parts of the conjunction, but they also need to be in a logical position
in the sentence to do their work. (Did you notice the correlative
conjunction in that introductory sentence? It’s “not only. . . but
also.”)

Jimmy spent the entire trip either arguing with me or with


Virginia.
Jimmy is arguing with two people. We need “either” in a position
close to “me” and “Virginia” to make a distinction between the two
choices.

Jimmy spent the entire trip arguing either with me or with


Virginia.

Moreover, because we have “either,” we must also have “or.”


Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions

Here are some more examples of parallelism with


correlative conjunctions.

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays
these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed
rounds (unofficial motto of the U. S. Postal Service).

Both Jenny and Kate work hard at their jobs.

Whether you like succotash or not, that’s what for dinner.

I always liked going to school not only as an opportunity to


learn but also as a chance to see my friends.
Change into parallel

Mary likes hiking, swimming, and


to ride a bicycle.

Parallel:
Mary likes hiking, swimming,
and riding a bicycle.
Change into 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.
LET’S TRY!!
• I like to become acquinted with the people of
other countries.
• I like to become acquinted with the customs
of other countries.
• I like to become acquinted with.................... of
other countries.
Use “both” and “and”
• The driver was injured in the accident. Was
the passenger in the accident?
Use “not only” and “but also”
• i know his cousin is living with him. Is his
mother-in-law living with him too?
Use “either” and “or”
• You’re going to give your friend a book for her
birthday, or your’re going to give her a pen. Is
that right?
Use “neither” and “nor”
• Her husband doesn’t speak English. Do her
children speak English?
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.

A. I wondered whether to make an outline


first or I should write the rough draft.
B. I wondered whether to make an outline
first or to write the rough draft.
C. I wondered whether to make an outline
first or writing rough draft.
D. I wondered whether to make an outline
first or that I should write a rough draft.

25
A. I wondered whether to make an outline
first or I should write the rough draft.
B. I wondered whether to make an outline
first or to write the rough draft.
C. I wondered whether to make an outline
first or writing rough draft.
D. I wondered whether to make an outline
first or that I should write a rough draft.

26
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure .

A. The three authors show the value of reading by


using metaphors, they give detailed examples, and
their personal experiences also.
B. The three authors show the value of reading by
using metaphors, examples, and personal
experiences.
C. The three authors show the value of reading by
using metaphors, examples, and their personal
experiences.
D. The three authors show the value of reading by
using metaphors, giving examples, and personal
experiences. 27
A. The three authors show the value of reading by
using metaphors, they give detailed examples,
and their personal experiences also.
B. The three authors show the value of reading
by using metaphors, examples, and personal
experiences.
C. The three authors show the value of reading by
using metaphors, examples, and their personal
experiences.
D. The three authors show the value of reading by
using metaphors, giving examples, and
personal experiences.
28
THANK YOU

LET’S PRACTICE!

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