Parallel Structure

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What is parallel structure?

Back

Parallel structure, or parallelism, is the repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence. It helps to create balance and clarity in writing.

Front

Why is parallel structure important in writing?

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Parallel structure enhances readability and flow, making sentences easier to understand. It also emphasizes the relationship between ideas.

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Identify the correct parallel structure: 'She likes reading, writing, and to swim.'

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Incorrect. The correct structure is: 'She likes reading, writing, and swimming.'

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What is an example of parallel structure in a list?

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An example is: 'For breakfast, I had eggs, toast, and orange juice.' All items in the list are in the same grammatical form.

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What is the effect of using parallel structure in speeches?

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It creates rhythm and can make the message more persuasive and memorable.

Front

Identify the grammatical structure repeated in this sentence: 'He enjoys hiking, biking, and swimming.'

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The repeated structure is gerunds (hiking, biking, swimming).

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What is the difference between parallel structure and parallelism?

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They are often used interchangeably; however, parallelism is the broader concept that includes parallel structure as a specific technique.

Front

Which of the following is an example of incorrect parallel structure? 'The teacher asked us to read the book, to write a report, and doing a presentation.'

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Incorrect. The correct structure is: 'The teacher asked us to read the book, to write a report, and to do a presentation.'

Front

What is a common mistake when using parallel structure?

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A common mistake is mixing different grammatical forms, such as combining nouns with verbs or gerunds with infinitives.

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How can you check for parallel structure in your writing?

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Read your sentences aloud and look for lists or comparisons to ensure all elements are in the same grammatical form.