Parallel Structure

Parallel Structure

using similar grammatical patterns to express ideas of equal importance

Multiple Choice

Planning, drafting, and ____ are three steps in the writing process.

Which word would make this sentence have parallel structure?

• revised

• revision

• revising

Multiple Choice

I could not wait to hop on that plane, to leave the country, and ______ the world.

Which word would make this sentence have parallel structure?

• exploring

• exploration

• to explore

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has parallel structure?

• Ari likes his new school. The teachers are good, the students are nice, and he likes the new building.

• Ari likes his new school. The teachers are good, the students are nice, and the building is new.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has parallel structure?

• Be sure to pack your hairbrush, your alarm clock, and a toothbrush.

• Be sure to pack your hairbrush, your alarm clock, your toothbrush.

Using Parallel Structure

Parallel structure makes writing and speaking more effective by providing readers or listeners with a pattern that they can easily follow and remember. You should always try to use parallel structure for items of equal rank or importance, especially in the following situations.

Fill in the Blank

Incorrect: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.

What do we change to make it parallel?

Correct: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and _____ a bicycle.

Multiple Choice

Items in a Series

Choose the sentence with correct parallel structure.

• We debated all aspects of the issue: moral, political, and cost.

• We debated all aspects of the issue: moral, political, and financial.

Multiple Select

Correlative Conjunctions

Choose the sentences that have parallel structure.

• To cool the room, try either a window fan or a fan that you install on the ceiling.

• To cool the room, try either a window fan or a ceiling fan.

• To cool the room, try either a fan that you install in a window or a fan that you install on the ceiling.

Multiple Select

Comparisons and Contrasts

Choose the sentences that have parallel structure.

• Most people prefer corn to beets.

• Most people prefer corn to eating beets.

• Most people prefer eating corn to eating beets.