Parallel Structure

Parallel Structure • Parallel Structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This can happen at three levels: • Word • Phrase • Clause

What is Parallel Structure? • Parallel structure involves putting together elements of similar structure to achieve balanced writing • Winston Churchill did not say • I have nothing to offer but bleeding, toil, tears, and sweating • He said • I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat • Churchill understood parallelism

Examples: • Poor: Betty has intelligence, honesty, and she is funny • Improved: Betty has intelligence, honesty, and she is funny humour • Poor: Good writing requires you to plan outlines, write several drafts, and revision • Improved: Good writing requires you to plan outlines, write several drafts, and revision revise your work

Items in a series must have parallel structure. • Parallelism looks like this: Shane , , and . Shane , , and .

Here is an example: • Shaneatethe pizza,wipedhis lips, andburpedwith contentment. Ate = past tense verb; wiped = past tense verb; and burped = past tense verb.

Don’t create problems by mixing grammatical elements. • Non-parallel structurelooks like this: Shane , , and . Shane , , and .

The problem looks like this: • Shaneatethe pizza,wipedhis lips, andburpingwith contentment. Now look what you’ve done! Ate and wiped = past tense verbs, but burping = present participle!

Words and Phrases • Incorrect: • Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle. • Correct: • Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.

More Examples: Words & Phrases • Incorrect: • The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner. • Correct: • The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.

Examples continued: • Incorrect: • Angry ants, munched the marshmallows, crumbling coffeecake, and sipping syrup, headed off across the countertop. • Correct: • Angry ants, munching marshmallows, crumbling coffeecake, and sipping syrup, headed off across the countertop.

Clauses • Parallel structure that begins with clauses must continue on with clauses. • Incorrect: • The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game. • Correct: • The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game

Lists after a colon • Lists after a colon must be parallel. • Incorrect: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs. • Correct: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs.

Other things to watch for: • Use parallel structure with pairs of words or ideas. • Examples: • Granny’s method was tried and true • Man proposes. God disposes.

Use parallel structure on both sides of coordinating conjunctions • For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so • Examples: • She possessed all the wizard’s charm yet none of the wizard’s insight. • Consult a doctor if your coughing persists or if your coughing worsens over the weekend.

Practice!

Rewrite the Sentences to Make Them Parallel • Sabrina has wit, charm, and she has an extremely pleasant personality. • Sabrina has wit, charm, and a pleasing personality.

In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and she appreciated good prose. • In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and appreciate good prose.

Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and friend. • Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a wise friend.

We found the film repulsive, offensive, and we thought it was embarrassing. • We found the film repulsive, offensive, and embarrassing. • Mr. Tran kept his store clean, neat, and he had it conveniently arranged. • Mr. Tran kept his store clean, neat, and conveniently arranged.

Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. • A. Barking dogs, kittens that were meowing, and squawking parakeets greet the pet shop visitors. • B. Barking dogs, meowing kittens, and squawking parakeets greet the pet shop visitors. • C. Dogs that bark, kittens that meow, and parakeets squawking greet the pet shop visitors.

Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. • A. During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with Brittney, eating candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet. • B. During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with Brittney, he ate candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet. • C. During class, Samuel spent his time to flirt with Brittney, to eat candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet.

Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. • A. Alex looked everywhere for his math book—under the bed, on his desk, and he searched inside the refrigerator. • B. Alex looked everywhere for his math book—viewing under the bed, searching on his desk, and inside the refrigerator. • C. Alex looked everywhere for his math book—under the bed, on his desk, and inside the refrigerator.

Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A. He came, he saw, and he received. B. He came, he wanted to see, but he didn’t. C. He came; he started to ask; he didn’t want to. D. He saw, didn’t come or receive.

Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A. The children laughed, jumped, and danced. B. The children were laughing, jumped, and some were dancing. C. The children were laughing and jumping; some even danced. D. The children laughed, dancing, and jumping.

Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A. You are not only a student but also very athletic. B. You are not only a student but also being very athletic. C. You are not only a student but also an athlete. D. You are not only a student but also have athletic ability.

Choose the correct words to make the sentence parallel. • Pasta boiling in water, __________, and garlic bread baking in the oven welcomed Francisco as he opened the door. • A. simmered tomato sauce in the pan • B. tomato sauce simmering in the pan • C. tomato sauce that simmered in the pan • D. saucy tomatoes that were simmering in the pan

Choose the correct words to make the sentence parallel. Karen wished Ray chewed with his mouth closed, for otherwise he was everything she wanted in a date; he was tall, intelligent, and __________. A. he looked good B. being good looking C. one handsome man to look at D. handsome

Choose the correct words to make the sentence parallel. Ron was an expert tennis player and _____. A. went fishing B. fished C. liked to go fishing D. an avid fisherman

Choose the correct words to make the sentence parallel. Don would always open the mail, throw away the junk mail, and _____. A. to organize the bills. B. organizing the bills C. organize the bills D. organization of the bills

Choose the correct words to make the sentence parallel. Rebecca was not only my boss but also ______. A. is my friend B. says she is my friend C. friendly D. my friend

Parallel Structure