Parallel Structure

Parallel Structure

Multiple Choice

Which is the odd one out?

• lemon

• orange

• grape

• potato

• apple

Multiple Choice

Which is the odd one out?

• in

• at

• on

• then

Multiple Choice

Which is the odd one out?

• short

• impressive

• ugly

• write

Multiple Choice

Which is the odd one out?

• but

• or

• not

• and

Multiple Choice

I like to sing and dancing.

Is this sentence correct?

• yes

• no

I like to sing and to dance.

I like singing and dancing.

Parallel Structures

• coordinate conjunctions [and. or, but]

• paired conjunctions [both ... and, either ... or, neither ... nor, not only ... but also]

• comparison

I saw a cat and a mouse.

Did you order coffee, tea, or milk?

Nouns

• I need to talk to the manager or the assistant manager.

• She is not a teacher but a lawyer.

• You can choose from activities such as hiking and kayaking.

Multiple Choice

She held jobs as a typist, a housekeeper, and in a restaurant.

• correct

• incorrect

verbs

• He only eats and sleeps when he takes a vacation.

• She invites us to her home but never talks with us.

• You can stay home or go to the movies with us.

Multiple Choice

The speaker introduced himself, told several interesting anecdotes, and finishing with an emotional plea.

• correct

• incorrect

adjectives

• My boss is sincere and nice.

• Class can be interesting or boring.

• The exam that he gave was short but difficult.

Multiple Choice

The term paper he wrote was rather short but very impressive.

• correct

• incorrect

phrases

• There are students in the classroom and in front of the building.

• The checks will be ready not at noon but at 1:00.

• The papers are on my desk or in the drawer.

clauses

• They are not interested in what you say or what you do.

• Mr. Brown likes to go home early, but his wife prefers to stay late.

• I am here because I have to be and because I want to be.

Multiple Choice

The dean or the assistant dean will inform you of when and where you should apply for your diploma.

• correct

• incorrect

Multiple Choice

There are papers to file, reports to type, and those letters should be answered.

• correct

• incorrect

paired conjunction

• I know both where you went and what you did.

• Either Mark or Sue has the book.

• The tickets are neither in my pocket nor in my purse.

• He is not only an excellent student but also an outstanding athlete.

Multiple Choice

He wants either to go by train or by plane

• correct

• incorrect

He wants either to go by train or to go by plane.

He wants to go either by train or by plane.

He wants to go by either train or plane.

Multiple Choice

I want both this book or that one.

• correct

• incorrect

Multiple Choice

Either Sam nor Sue is taking the course.

• correct

• incorrect

Multiple Choice

She would like neither to see a movie or to go bowling.

• correct

• incorrect

She would like neither to see a movie nor to go bowling.

Multiple Choice

The movie was neither amusing nor was it interesting.

• correct

• incorrect

The movie was neither amusing nor interesting.

Multiple Choice

Both the tailor or the laundress could fix the damage to the dress.

• correct

• incorrect

Both the tailor and the laundress could fix the damage to the dress.

Multiple Choice

He not only called the police department but also called the fire department.

• correct

• incorrect

Multiple Choice

She wants not only to take a trip to Europe but she also would like to travel to Asia.

• correct

• incorrect

She wants not only to take a trip to Europe but also to travel to Asia.

Multiple Choice

You can graduate either at the end of the fall semester or you can graduate at the end of the spring semester.

• correct

• incorrect

You can graduate either at the end of the fall semester or at the end of the spring semester.

My school is farther than your school.

To be rich is better than to be poor.

What is written is more easily understood than what is spoken.

Multiple Choice

Dining in a restaurant is more fun than to eat at home.

• correct

• incorrect

Dining in a restaurant is more fun than eating at home.

Multiple Choice

What you do has more effect than what you say.

• correct

• incorrect

What you do has more effect than what you say.

Multiple Choice

How to buy a used car can be as difficult as buying a new car.

• correct

• incorrect

Buying a used car can be as difficult as buying a new car.

Multiple Choice

Music in your country is quite similar to my country.

• correct

• incorrect

Music in your country is quite similar to music in my country.

Multiple Choice

The collection of foreign journals in the university library is more extensive than the high school library.

• correct

• incorrect

The collection of foreign journals in the university library is more extensive than the one the high school library.