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Types of Parallel Structure: Lesson
Types of Parallel Structure: Lesson
Types of Parallel Structure: Lesson
TYPES OF PARALLEL
1 STRUCTURE
What's In
Directions: Read and analyze the sentences below. Tell whether the conjunctions
and infinitives are correctly used by answering Yes or No. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.
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What's New
Directions: Tell whether the sentences below are grammatically correct by answering Yes or
No. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
What Is It
As defined earlier Parallel structure (also called parallelism) is the repetition of a chosen
grammatical form within a sentence, or it is the use of matching sentence
structure, phrases, or longer parts so as to balance ideas of equal importance.
Used in a sentence, they create a jarring effect and produce writing with unclear
emphasis and meaning. This kind of error is called "faulty parallelism."
1. With elements joined by coordinating conjunctions, especially and, but, and or.
You will find the brown wallet in the cabinet or under the bed.
Please return the calculator after we have had some coffee or when your class is over.
I wondered who she was and what she was doing here.
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The examples below show how to repair faulty parallelism.
Example
FAULTY: Grandma likes to eat at inexpensive restaurants and visiting beautiful places.
CORRECT: Grandma likes to eat at inexpensive restaurants and to visit beautiful places.
OR
A series is a group of three or more elements in a row. The last element in the series
is connected to the others with one of these coordinating conjunctions: and, or, but (not), or
yet (not).
Commas should be placed between each element in the series and before the
coordinating conjunction.
Examples
Series of words
Rosalie wanted three gifts this Christmas: a laptop, mini iPod, and cash.
Series of infinitives
I have no time to request my transcript, to process my license, and to pay my water bill.
You can find yellow pads in the school supply section, in some groceries store, but not in the
gasoline station.
Series of clauses
She doesn't care about who he is, what he has, and what he can give as her boyfriend.
3. Use a parallel structure with elements being compared. (X is more than / better than Y)
When we compare things, we often use words such as more, less, better, and worse; We
connect the items being compared with words like as and than.
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Note the comparison methods in the examples below.
Going to Curuanby single motorcycle can actually take less time than taking a van.
How you respect others is just as important as how much you value yourself.
Comparing items without using parallel structure may cause confusion about what is
being compared to what.
Joining elements with linking verbs or verbs of being suggests completion of the first item
by the second one. Often, in fact, equality between the two is being set up, as the examples
below illustrate.
What you see is what you get.
=
Repair faulty parallelism with linking verbs or verbs of being by making one element of the
equation parallel to the other.
Whatever grammatical structure follows, one must be parallel to the grammatical structure
that follows the other.
We were told to either reduce the number of pages or delete one chapter.
Bryan was neither going to classes nor practicing his dance number.
As new employees, we were told not only what to do but also what to contribute to the
company.
Miguel wished not only to go to Korea for the summer but also to stay there or good.
What's More
Activity 1:
Directions: Read and understand the sentences. Correct the faulty sentences by using parallel
structure. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Activity 2: Directions: Read and understand the sentences below. Punctuate correctly to
make it parallel. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
6. The following activities can be done at the mall buying groceries eating lunch
and paying bills.
7. In Ana's bedroom you will find the following a bed a closet and a desk.
8. Dogs are men's best friends for the following reasons they are loyal they are
loving and they are obedient.
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4. People who get ahead do lots of different things such as studying, working
hard and going to college.
5. In our house you can see our pets rabbit hamster and our poodle dog.
Activity 3:
Directions: Underline the parallel structure in each sentence. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.
Knowing conjunctions, infinitives, uses of punctuation marks, verbs' tenses, and the
like is not enough. As discussed, it is important to have parallelism in sentence construction
for sentence clarity and meaningfulness.
A. Directions: Correct the faulty sentences below. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.
1. My daddy likes to purchase branded motorbikes and to eat at inexpensive restaurants.
2. Pedro likes dancing and drawing.
3. I wanted money, fame and power.
4. I like reciting much than to sing.
5. The opening program is both boring and it is not interesting.
6. Perlita, and Rosario are bestfriend.
8. Lollipop and ice candy and cheese curl are the favorite snacks of Julia.
9. He wants to do the following this Christmas vacation: to go shopping and to visit relatives
and to attend the nine nights misa de gallo .
What I Can Do
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Assessment
A.
Directions: Read and understand the faulty sentences given. Make it parallel and rewrite it in
a separate sheet.
A.
1. Ellen likes hiking, watching the motor racing, and to take afternoon naps.
2. My best friend took me dancing and to a show.
3. My dog not only likes to play ball, but also dance.
4. I would rather pay for my education than financial aid.
5. I would rather eat white rice than to eat brown rice.
B.
Directions: Combine the given sentences into one concise sentence that contains
parallel structure.
6. Mary will open the will open the door. Mary will greet
her visitors.
7. Alicia is kind. Alice is generous. Alice is trustworthy.
8. Please try to speak more loudly. Please try to speak more
clearly.
9. I like coffee. I do not like tea.
10.He decided to quit school. He decided to go to
California. He decided to find a job.
Additional Activities
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
These are words encountered during the discussion of the lesson. Find these words and
encircle them. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
PARALLELISM SERIES
CONJUNCTIONS STRUCTURE
LISTS INFINITIVES
PHRASES LINKING VERB
CORRELATIVE
CLAUSES
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L I N K I N G V E R B N N A T I O P H S K
M A Q E F G A P Q R R B W E R T Y A I T P
N D R F E H N O R S S O B N C H S R Y S I
O E S A D D D N E P T D C F O H J A K I U
P F T H L I C I T O U D T E N B M L D L H
Q G U I B L R L U N V E R T J G H L K L L
R H V J A E E K V M B F D W U U R E Y U N
N O N C S R O L O L O G I C N L R L P O R
S I W K Z S J J I L C G S D C G H I J K P
T J X L Y U K I N F I N I T I V E S L G H
U K Y M X A L H Y J M J U F I H H M K L R
V L Z N W S M G Z I F K S R O Y H J K K A
W M A O V I N F A H G L S T N U I K L O S
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