Parallel Structure

1
Parallel Structure

• Composition
• Purdue University Online Writing Lab

2
Whats the problem?

• According to Mr. Morrow, Mrs. Morrow enjoys
  shopping for things we dont need, to talk on the
  phone, and will nag him.

3
Parallelism a.k.a. Parallel Structure

• Parallel structure is the placement of equal
  ideas in words, phrases, clauses, or sentences of
  similar types.
• This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause
  level.
• Tip Check the structure on either side of commas
  and conjunctions (FANBOYS) to see if the
  structures, words, phrases, clauses, and verbs
  match.

4
Phrases

• With the -ing form (gerund) of words
• Not Parallel Mary likes to hike, swimming, and
  bicycling.
• Parallel Mary likes hiking, swimming, and
  bicycling.
• With infinitive phrases
• Not Parallel Mary likes to hike, swimming, and
  to ride a bicycle.
• Parallel Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to
  ride a bicycle.
• Parallel Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a
  bicycle.

5
Adjectives and Adverbs

• If a list begins with an adjective or adverb,
  continue the list with the same part of speech
• Adverbs
• Not 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.
• Adjectives
• Not Parallel The day was an interesting one and
  very educational.
• Parallel The day was both interesting and
  educational.

6
Verbs

• Make verbs in parallel phrases agree in tense and
  phrasing
• Not Parallel The teacher said that he was a poor
  student because he waited until the last minute
  to study for the exam and lacks motivation.
• Parallel The teacher said that he was a poor
  student because he waited until the last minute
  to study for the exam and lacked motivation.

7
Clauses

• A parallel structure that begins with clauses
  must continue with clauses of the same type
  (adverb, noun, and adjective clauses)
• Not Parallel The coach told the players that
  they should get a lot of sleep and to do some
  warm-up exercises before the game.
• Parallel The coach told the players that they
  should get a lot of sleep and that they should do
  some warm-up exercises before the game.
• Not Parallel I used to play basketball before
  school, but now play after school.
• Parallel I used to play basketball before
  school, but I now play after school.

8
Lists After a Colon

• Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the
  same form.
• Not Parallel The dictionary can be used for
  these purposes to find word meanings,
  pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up
  irregular verbs.
• Parallel The dictionary can be used for these
  purposes to find word meanings, pronunciations,
  correct spellings, and irregular verbs.

9
Articles

• Use an article to introduce a list, or use an
  article before each part in a list.
• Incorrect The girls, the car, and cooler were
  packed and ready to go.
• Correct The girls, the car, and the cooler were
  packed and ready to go.
• Correct The girls, car, and cooler were packed
  and read to go.

10
Activity

• Rewrite the part(s) of each sentence that must be
  changed to create parallelism.

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1

• In science class we used to learn only by
  listening, but now a hands-on approach to
  learning is also being used.

12
2

• The Martins, the Burkes, Hansens, and Southwicks
  all came to my birthday party last summer.

13
3

• She looked at me with anger and hating after I
  ruined her party.

14
4

• It had been both an interesting assembly and very
  short.

15
5

• My problems with the cook are that she is always
  rude, and the way she brushes her hair over the
  food she cooks.

16
6

• Either you should start studying more, or getting
  extra help would be a good idea.

17
7

• I spent a lot of time working toward success and
  filled out many job applications.

18
8

• She likes to read and write, and cooking
  delicious meals for her family.

19
9

• Do you prefer working in groups or alone?

20
10

• He looked sleepy and lacks energy.