PARALLELISM PRACTICE TEST

Jason made cake, pie and he baked dumpling.

• PARALLEL

• NOT PARALLEL

Answer explanation

The sentence is not parallel. While "cake" and "pie" are both nouns, "he baked dumpling" is a verb phrase. To make it parallel, the third item should also be a noun.

He started the engine, released the hand break, and checked the mirror.

• PARALLEL

• NOT PARALLEL

Answer explanation

This sentence is parallel. Each action in the list ("started the engine," "released the hand brake," and "checked the mirror") is presented in the same grammatical form, maintaining a parallel structure.

Some people think that being successful is the same thing as to have money.

• PARALLEL

• NOT PARALLEL

Answer explanation

This sentence has a parallel structure error because it uses "to have money" instead of "having money," which disrupts the parallelism between "being successful" and "having money.

Did you decide not to come because you are tired or are you feeling sick?

• PARALLEL

• NOT PARALLEL

Answer explanation

The sentence isn't parallel because the structure of the two options presented isn't consistent. The first option ("because you are tired") uses the verb "are" before the adjective "tired," while the second option ("are you feeling sick?") reverses this order by placing the verb "are" after the subject "you" and the adjective "sick."

She was disappointed by not only his clothes but also his mannerisms.

• PARALLEL

• NOT PARALLEL

Answer explanation

This sentence is parallel for the structure of both clauses is consistent, with "not only" followed by "his clothes" in the first clause and "but also" followed by "his mannerisms" in the second clause.

She wants neither the red one nor the yellow one.

• PARALLEL

• NOT PARALLEL

Answer explanation

This sentence demonstrates parallel structure. In this sentence, "neither... nor" is used to connect two parallel elements: "the red one" and "the yellow one.

When I wake up I like either walking the dog or to go for a jog.

• PARALLEL

• NOT PARALLEL

Answer explanation

Faulty parallelism occurs in this sentence. In the sentence, "walking the dog" is a gerund phrase (verb form used as a noun), while "to go for a jog" is an infinitive phrase (the "to" form of the verb).

I would describe her as an intelligent, caring, and thoughtful friend.

• PARALLEL

• NOT PARALLEL

Answer explanation

This sentence is an example of parallel structure, where the adjectives "intelligent," "caring," and "thoughtful" are listed in a series to describe the friend.

He suggested that we go for a meal then we should see a film.

• PARALLEL

• NOT PARALLEL

Answer explanation

The sentence is not parallel because in the first part of the sentence ("He suggested that we go for a meal") is in the infinitive form, while the second part ("then we should see a film") is in the indicative form.

Spain is a place where you can eat cheap food and soak up the sun.

• PARALLEL

• NOT PARALLEL

Answer explanation

In the given sentence, the structure is parallel. Both "eat cheap food" and "soak up the sun" are verb phrases.