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Parallel Structure. Two or more words, phrases, or clauses that are similar in length and grammatical form. Parallel structure is the repetition of the same pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance . .
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Two or more words, phrases, or clauses that are similar in length and grammatical form Parallel structure is the repetition of the same pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.
Parallel structure helps to organize ideas, making a text or speech easier to understand. Parallel structure can also create a satisfying rhythm in the language an author uses.
Sentences are parallel when each item is in the… Same Voice • Avoid shifts from active to passive voice: - After we removed the books from the boxes, a bookrack was installed to store the books. + After we removed the books from the boxes, we installed a bookrack to store the books. • Avoid shifts from past tense to present tense and vise versa: • Tom refused to sign the petition and leaves the office. + Tom refused to sign the petition and left the office. Appropriate Tense
Parallel Structure Series or List “Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears…” • Parallel structure equates three different groups of society. “Driving to Manhattan can actually take less time than flying there.” • Comparisons often use words such as more, less, better, and worse, We connect the items being compared with words like as and than. • X is more/better than Y. Comparison
For Example… • Parallel: • My boyfriend took me to dinner and a movie for my birthday. • Not Parallel: • My boyfriend took me dining and to a movie for my birthday.
Examples… If you are not sure, place the items in a list: Miss B. likes reading writing to laugh Miss B. likes reading writing laughing 1. Miss B. likes reading, writing , and laughing. Or 2. Miss B. likes reading , writing, and she likes to laugh. Miss B. likes reading, writing , and laughing.
Parallel Structures in a List… • Bruce Wayne enjoys donning his Batman costume, answering the Commissioner's phone calls, and saving Gotham City from cruel villains like the Penguin. • Bruce Wayne enjoys donning his Batman costume, answering the Commissioner's phone calls, and saving Gotham City from cruel villains like the Penguin. Because all of the verbs are in the same tense and ending in the suffix “ing,” the structure is parallel!
Parallel Structures inComparisons… • Pay • Because the verbs are antonyms, the structure is parallel. I would rather pay for my education than receive financial aid. I would rather pay for my education than receive financial aid. • Receive
Parallel or Not? • My cat likes sleeping and to chase her tail. • My sister, Daphne, hates to clean, but she loves to sleep. • Patrick packed sneakers, sweatpants, and put in several pairs of socks. • Patrick packed sneakers, sweatpants, and several pairs of socks. • Maggie’s ability to come up with projects far exceeded her resolve to work on them.
Parallel Structure will… • Strengthen your writing, giving it better voice and flow. • Make your writing process smoother and less time-consuming. • Increase your writing’s readability by creating word patterns that are easily followed.
Now, it’s your turn! With a shoulder partner: • Write 3 sentences demonstrating parallel structure in a series or list. • Write 3 sentences demonstrating parallel structure in a comparison.
