Learn this Parallel structure material, then do the exercises (A and B)

PARALLEL STRUCTURE

One use of a conjunction is to connect words or phrases that have the same grammatical function in
a sentence. This use of conjunctions is called parallel structure. The conjunctions used in this pattern
are and, but, or nor.

(a) Steve and his friend are coming to In (a): noun + and + noun
dinner.
(b) Susan raised her hand and snapped her In (b): verb + and + verb
fingers.
(c) He is wearing his arms and (is) shouting In (c): verb + and + verb ( The second
at us auxiliary may be omitted if it is the same as
the first auxiliary
(d) These shoes are old but comfortable In (d): adjective + but + adjective
(e) He wants to watch TV or (to) listen to In (e): infinitive + or + infinitive (the
some music second to may be omitted)
(f) They must put the book on the table or In (f): phrase or phrase
the chair
(g) We know where he went and what he did In (g) clause + and + clause
(h) Both my brother and my sister are In (h): both ……..and ………….
doctors
(i) Neither Paul nor Linda lives in New In (i): neither ………nor …………
York
(j) You can either sit there or wait here In (j): either …………..or ……………
(k) Jane went to the post office not only In (k): not only ……….but also ……….
to buy stamps but also to send letters.

(l) Steve, Joe, and Alice are coming to
dinner
(m) Susan raised her hand, snapped her fingers,
and asked a question.
(n) The colors in that fabric are red, gold,
black, and green.
A parallel structure may contain more than
two parts. In a series, commas are used to
separate each unit. The final comma that
precedes the conjunction is optional but is
customarily used. (No commas are used if
there are only parts to a parallel structure).

Exercises
A. State whether the sentences below are correct or incorrect.

1. We learned to read the passage carefully and underlying the main idea.
We learned to read the passage carefully and to underline the main idea.
2. She is not only famous in the United States, but also abroad.
She is famous not only in the United States, but also abroad.
B. Choose the correct answer
1. In a hot, sunny climate, acclimatizes by eating less, drinking more liquids, wearing lighter clothing,
and ________
a skin changes that darken c. his skin may darken
b experiencing a darkening of the skin d darkens his skin

2. Both historically and _______, Ontario is the heartland of Canada

a. in its geography c. also its geography
b. geographically d. geography

3. He knows where she lives and ________

a. what she does c. she does
b. her address d. her job

4. Peter is not reading a novel but ________

a. to wait her c. type a report
b. writing a letter d. wash his car

5. A vacuum will neither conduct heat nor ________.

a. transmit sound waves c. sound waves are transmitted
b. transmitting sound waves d. the transmission of sound waves

6. North Carolina is well known not only for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park ________.for
the Cherokee Indian settlements.
a. also c. but also
c. and d. because of

7. To generate income, magazine publishers must decide whether to increase the subscription price or
________.
a. to sell advertising c. selling advertising
b. if they should sell advertising d. sold advertising

8. When teenagers finish high school, they have several choices: going to college, getting a job, or
___________.
a. joining the army c. joins the army
b. to join the army d. join the army

9. Collecting stamps, playing chess, and _______ beautiful butterflies are Derrick’s hobbies.
a. to mount c. mounting
b. mounts d. mount

10. The chief of police demanded from his assistants an orderly investigation, a well-written report,
and _______
a. that they work hard c. working hard
b. hard work d. work hard