MODULE 5

Parallel Structure
Sentence elements that are alike in function should also be alike in
construction. These elements should be in the same grammatical form so that they
are parallel.

Using parallel structure in your writing will help with

1) economy 2) clarity 3) equality 4) delight.

Here are some examples of parallel elements

These elements, on the other hand, are not parallel

Used in a sentence, they create a jarring effect and produce writing with unclear
emphasis and meaning. We call such an error "faulty parallelism."

Writers generally use parallelism as a technique in the following five ways.

1. With elements joined by coordinating conjunctions, especially and, but, and or.
Examples of parallel words
 Examples of parallel phrases

Examples of parallel clauses

The examples below show how to repair faulty parallelism.

Example#1

Example #2
2. Use parallel structure with elements in lists or in a series.

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.

As the examples below show, a series whose components are not in parallel
format sounds awkward and may cause misunderstanding.

Example #1

Example #2
 Note that in the corrected versions of example #2, you may choose to repeat the
"to" or to omit it.

3. Use 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.

Note the comparison methods in the examples below.

The elements being compared are parallel to one another:

driving is parallel to flying

Miriam's ability to is parallel to her resolve to
How you live is parallel to how much money you make

Comparing items without using parallel structure may cause confusion about what is
being compared to what.

Repair faulty parallelism in comparisons by making one element of the

comparison parallel to the other.

Note that you may choose to change either element to match the other.

Click on the link below to complete an exercise on parallel structure with elements
in a comparison.

4. Use parallel structure with elements joined by a linking verb or a verb of being.
 Joining elements with linking verbs or verbs of being suggests a completing of the
first item by the second one. Often, in fact, an equality between the two is being set
up, as the examples below illustrate.

Repair faulty parallelism with linking verbs or verbs of being by making one
element of the equation parallel to the other.

5. Use parallel structure with elements joined by a correlative conjunction.

These are the major correlative conjunctions:

either / or neither / nor both / and not only / but also

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs.

Whatever grammatical structure follows one must be parallel to the grammatical

structure that follows the other.

Examples with either / or and neither / nor

Examples with both / and

Examples with not only / but also

Repair faulty parallelism with correlative conjunctions by making one structure

parallel to the other as shown below.

With either / or
With neither / nor

With both / and

With not only / but also

Remember: Parallelism in sentence construction helps to create economy, rhythm,

emphasis, and clarity in your writing. Use this writing technique to your advantage!

Activities
Sentence Parallel Structure - Exercise 1

Directions: Each sentence below contains faulty parallelism with coordinate

conjunctions. Revise each sentence so that the elements joined by the coordinate
conjunction are parallel to one another.
1. What I said or my actions upset everyone in the room.
2. She suggested that I write a memoir and to send it to a good publisher.
3. The instructor advised me to use the rearview mirror often, and I should observe
the speed limit.
4. People are paying more now for health insurance but to get less coverage.
5. Doing strenuous exercise and poor nutrition habits can lead to illness.
6. We put the pictures and what our itinerary was into the album.
7. Many young people like to skateboard and watching the techniques of other
skateboarders.
8. Joe wants to buy a vest that has buttons or closing with a zipper.
9. Her ideas are usually sound and of importance.
10. Good sense and being thoughtful are two valuable assets.

Sentence Parallel Structure - Exercise 2

Directions: Each sentence below contains faulty parallelism with coordinate

conjunctions. Revise each sentence so that the elements joined by the coordinate
conjunction are parallel to one another.

1. The students have dissected frogs, cats, and how to dissect human torsos.
2. At the store my duties are to keep the shelves stocked, to work the registers, and
assisting customers.
3. Original, imaginative, and seeming almost fantastic describe the techniques of
Dali's paintings.
4. My brother enjoys three activities: checkers, welding, and he collects baseball
cards.
5. Later that day, Mike took the fishing rods to the lake, caught several fish, and he
fell asleep.
6. The nanny was supposed to feed the children, walk the dog, and some dusting in
the living room.
7. The condominium board's goals include building up a reserve fund, keeping the
community informed, and property assessment.
8. Our baseball coach taught us how to hit, tag out runners, and base stealing.
9. We want a candidate who has a sense of commitment, a good record in public
office, and who has experience in foreign affairs.
10. Reading mystery novels, exercising in the park, and crossword puzzles occupy a
good deal of my retirement time.

Sentence Parallel Structure - Exercise 3

Directions: Each sentence below contains faulty parallelism with coordinate

conjunctions. Revise each sentence so that the elements joined by the coordinate
conjunction are parallel to one another.

1. It is harder to tie a slip knot than tying a square knot.

2. We enjoyed water skiing much more than when we swam in the lake.
3. Driving will get you there more quickly than to walk.
4. A big car is not necessarily better than one that is small.
5. Hearing her sing in person was ten times better than if you heard her on the radio.
6. He felt that being a good listener was just as important as to talk well.
7. Her excuses bothered me more than she was absent.
8. It is better to learn the material slowly than cramming on the night before the test.
9. What you actually do is a better indication of your true motives than your words.
10. One is more likely to slip on a banana peel than when an orange peel is on the
floor.

Sentence Parallel Structure - Exercise 4

Directions: Each sentence below contains faulty parallelism with elements joined by
linking verbs. Revise each sentence so that the elements are parallel to one another.

1. To take the fifth amendment is refusing to incriminate yourself.

2. What she said was her meaning.
3. Doing well on the GRE means to assure yourself acceptance into a good graduate
school.
4. Many people mistakenly think that being wealthy is the same thing as to be happy.
5. Marrying Major Boundy meant to leave her family and to travel all over the world.

Sentence Parallel Structure - Exercise 5

Directions: Each sentence below contains faulty parallelism with correlative

conjunctions. Revise each sentence so that the elements are parallel to one another.

1. Either ask Ben or Marianne to prepare the agenda for tonight's meeting.
2. The director for special projects not only visited our regional center in Baltimore
but also our main office in New York.
3. The exercise both toned my muscles and it helped me to lose weight.
4. At my training session, I was not only taught how to work the register, but also
how to treat customers courteously.
5. Either work today, or you will have to work tomorrow.
6. My friends are neither anxious to see the items in the museum nor are they happy
about the admission price.
7. She is both happy about the raise and she is nervous about the extra
responsibility.
8. They not only ate all the food in the house but they also didn't clean up their mess.
9. Bert will meet us either at the restaurant or he will be at the taxi stand.
10. The doctor promised neither to cause pain during the procedure nor leave a scar.
Parallel Structure - Post Test

Directions: The sentences below contain parallelism errors. Repair all parallelism
errors. To make your corrections, you may add words, delete words, or revise
grammatical constructions. Retain the original format of parallelism with coordinate
elements, series, comparisons, linking

1. The understudy had bright green eyes, a great mass of blonde hair, and her face
was red.

2. When winter comes the Joneses will have to find either a warmer house or they
will have to find a wood stove.

3. When Moe was in high school, his parents spent a good deal of time not only
helping him with his homework assignments but also they participated with him in
school activities.

4. It is better to be happy than being sad.

5. The word for left means "deceitful" in Italian, "awkward " in German, "malicious" in
Spanish, and Russians define its meaning as "sneaky."

6.The contract was illegible, lengthy, and it is awkward.

7. To think that you can do anything is deceiving yourself..

8. Aspiring actors go to Hollywood to become stars and because they want to make
money.

9. The tourists amused themselves by playing shuffleboard, watching plays, and

they went to trendy restaurants in the center of the city.

10.Before you order anything, you should not only check with the purchasing agent
but also the comptroller.

11. The radiologist examined the MRI both carefully and with competence.

12. Please return the medical records either to Dr. Jones or Dr. MacIntyre.

13. This sofa is better for beauty, for appearance, and it is comfortable.

14. Succeeding at something is not necessarily the same as to get what you need.

15. The process seemed to Beth both a bore and annoying.

Source:
https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/moduleparallel.htm
copyright 2006, 2004 Margaret L. Benner All rights reserved.