Parallel Structures Flashcard

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What is parallel structure?

Back

Parallel structure, or parallelism, is a grammatical and rhetorical device that involves using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.

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Why is parallel structure important in writing?

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Parallel structure enhances clarity, improves readability, and creates a rhythm in writing, making it more persuasive and engaging.

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Identify the correct parallel structure: 'I like to swim, to bike, and to run.'

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This sentence uses parallel structure correctly by maintaining the same form (infinitive) for each verb.

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Identify the incorrect parallel structure: 'She likes dancing, to sing, and cooking.'

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This sentence is incorrect because it mixes gerunds ('dancing', 'cooking') with an infinitive ('to sing').

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What is an example of a sentence with correct parallel structure?

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'The dog likes to bark, to run, and to play.' All verbs are in the infinitive form.

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What is an example of a sentence with incorrect parallel structure?

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'The dog likes barking, to run, and playing.' This mixes gerunds and infinitives.

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How can you fix a sentence with incorrect parallel structure?

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Ensure all elements in the list are in the same grammatical form. For example, change 'barking, to run, and playing' to 'barking, running, and playing.'

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What is the effect of using parallel structure in speeches?

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It emphasizes key points, makes the speech more memorable, and creates a sense of balance.

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Identify the correct parallel structure: 'He enjoys hiking, biking, and to swim.'

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Incorrect. The correct form is 'He enjoys hiking, biking, and swimming.'

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What is a common mistake when using parallel structure?

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A common mistake is mixing different forms, such as using both gerunds and infinitives in a list.