Parallel Structure

Parallel Structure

By Marin Langner

Parallel Words/Phrases

Words/Phrases: Stay with the same form of words/phrases so that you have a “matching set”

Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling.

Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle.

OR

Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle.

Open Ended

Correct this Sentence:

I like to spend my winter holiday skating, skiing, and I also enjoy snowboarding.

Parallel Clauses

Clauses: Maintain the  pattern and verb form in all items

​

Not Parallel (Do NOT do this!):  The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.

​

Parallel (DO this):  The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.

— or —

Parallel: The coach told the players they should get a lot of sleep, not eat too much, and do some warm-up exercises before the gam​

Open Ended

Correct this sentence:

I washed the dishes, am sweeping the floor, and dusted the mantel.

Open Ended

Correct this Sentence:

Police officers, people who teach, and leaders of the community were all invited to the conference.