Parallel Structure Rhetoric

Which sentence uses parallel structure?

• The exercise both toned my muscles and helped me to lose weight.
• The exercise both toned my muscles and it helped me to lose weight.

Which of the following does NOT use parallel structure?

• Either ask Ben or ask Marianne to prepare the agenda for tonight's meeting.
• Either ask Ben or Marianne to prepare the agenda for tonight's meeting.
• Ask either Ben or Marianne to prepare the agenda for tonight's meeting.

Which of the following does NOT use parallel structure?

• Taking the fifth amendment is refusing to incriminate yourself.
• To take the fifth amendment is to refuse to incriminate yourself.
• To take the Fifth Amendment is refusing to incriminate yourself.

Which of the following sentences uses parallel structure?

• Marrying Major Boundy meant leaving her family and traveling all over the world.
• Marrying Major Boundy meant to leave her family and travel all over the world.

Which of the following does NOT use parallel structure?

• Many people mistakenly think that being wealthy is the same thing as to be happy.
• Many people mistakenly think that being wealthy is the same thing as being happy.
• Many people mistakenly think that to be wealthy is the same thing as to be happy.

Which of the following does NOT use parallel structure?

• To do well on the GRE means to assure yourself acceptance into a good graduate school.
• Doing well on the GRE means to assure yourself acceptance into a good graduate school.
• Doing well on the GRE means assuring yourself acceptance into a good graduate school.

Which sentence uses parallel structure?

• It is harder to tie a slip knot than to tie a square knot.
• Tying a slip knot is harder than to tie a square knot.

Which sentence uses parallel structure?

• We enjoyed water skiing much more than swimming in the lake.
• We enjoyed water skiing much more than when we swam in the lake.

Which of the following does NOT use parallel structure?

• A big car is not necessarily better than a small one.
• A car that is big is not necessarily better than one that is small.
• A big car is not necessarily better than one that is small.

Which sentence does NOT use parallel structure?

• What you actually do is a better indication of your true motives than your words.
• What you actually do is a better indication of the your true motives than what you say.
• Your actions are a better indication of your true motives than your words.