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052 Parallel Structure

The document discusses parallel structure in sentences. [1] Parallel structure means that elements in a series follow the same grammatical pattern. [2] For example, using verbs instead of verbs and nouns to maintain parallel structure. [3] Breaking sentences into parts helps identify nonparallel elements that need rewriting to be parallel. The document provides examples of nonparallel and parallel structures and an exercise for rewriting nonparallel elements.

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306 views2 pages

052 Parallel Structure

The document discusses parallel structure in sentences. [1] Parallel structure means that elements in a series follow the same grammatical pattern. [2] For example, using verbs instead of verbs and nouns to maintain parallel structure. [3] Breaking sentences into parts helps identify nonparallel elements that need rewriting to be parallel. The document provides examples of nonparallel and parallel structures and an exercise for rewriting nonparallel elements.

Uploaded by

Kurniawan Abdullah
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Sentence Structure Handout 052

Parallel Structure 052


Sentences that have a series of words or phrases should be structured in parallel form. Parallel structure simply
means that words or phrases follow the same balanced format.

Nonparallel Parallel

Eleanor spends her time reading, listening Eleanor spends her time reading,
to music, and she works at the mall. listening to music, and working at the mall.

The series must be balanced: reading, listening, working. You can determine whether a series is parallel by
breaking up the sentence.

Eleanor spends her time reading Eleanor spends her time reading.
Eleanor spends her time listening to music. Eleanor spends her time listening to music.
Eleanor spends her time she works at the mall. Eleanor spends her time working at the mall.

Nonparallel Parallel

I was exhausted, irritable, and wanted to eat. I was exhausted, irritable, and hungry.

I was exhausted. I was exhausted.


I was irritable. I was irritable.
I was wanted to eat. I was hungry.

Nonparallel Parallel

When she was transferred to Miami, she had When she was transferred to Miami,
to buy a new car, find a nice apartment, and she had to buy a new car, find a nice
opening a checking account. apartment, and open a checking account.

She had to buy a new car. She had to buy a new car.
She had to find a nice apartment. She had to find a nice apartment.
She had to opening a checking account. She had to open a checking account.

Nonparallel Parallel

Jan appeared on a talk show, visited with Jan appeared on a talk show, visited
Vanna White, and a meeting with Tom Cruise with Vanna White, and met Tom Cruise.
was arranged.
Jan appeared on a talk show.
Jan appeared on a talk show. Jan visited with Vanna White
Jan visited with Vanna White. Jan met Tom Cruise.
Jan a meeting with Tom Cruise was arranged.

Parallel Structure Handout 052 (January 2012; ASC Eng/Read) Page 1


Practice

Read the following sentences. Rewrite the part that is not balanced.

1. The old outboard motor sputtered, was coughing, and finally died.

2. When Mary won the gold medal, her excited family jumped up from their seats, cheered, and hugs were
exchanged.

3. After eating two hamburgers, a milkshake, and paying his bill, John left.

4. The professor told Marsha that she had two options, to make up the work she missed or dropping the course.

5. Do you like to go for walks or jogging in the park?

6. Every morning on the camping trip, Jane started a fire, fried bacon, and a large pot of coffee was made.

7. Jack asked his sister to feed the dog, the doors had to be locked, and to water the plants.

8. That seafood place serves old shrimp, brown lettuce, and the rolls are stale.

9. Waitresses can sometimes be cranky, make a lot of snide comments, and rude.

10. Before John goes to bed, he turns off the lights, locks the doors, and the alarm is set for 5 a.m.

Parallel Structure (January 2012; g:ASC Eng/Read) Page 2

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