Mastering Parallel Structure in English

The video tutorial addresses common issues in student essays related to parallel structure, also known as parallelism. It explains the importance of maintaining grammatical balance in sentences and provides examples to illustrate faulty parallelism. The tutorial covers how to correct parallelism by ensuring consistent grammatical structures, such as using the same parts of speech or voice. It includes examples of correcting sentences with adjectives, clauses, and prepositional phrases, and highlights the importance of using active voice consistently.

What is parallel structure important for in sentence construction?

• To increase sentence length

• To ensure clarity and strength

• To add complexity

• To introduce new concepts

What grammatical error is present in the sentence: 'He spoke sincerely and with passion'?

• Mismatched verb tenses

• Faulty parallelism

• Incorrect verb form

• Improper adjective use

What is the main purpose of maintaining parallel structure in writing?

• To enhance readability and coherence

• To make the text longer

• To confuse the reader

• To use more grammatical terms

How can the sentence 'He spoke sincerely and with passion' be corrected to maintain parallel structure?

• He spoke sincerely and passionately

• He spoke passion and sincerity

• He spoke with sincerity and passion

• He spoke sincerely and with passion

In the list 'messy, noisy, and it was crowded', what is the grammatical issue?

• Use of too many adjectives

• Inconsistent use of clauses

• Lack of conjunctions

• Correct as is

How should the list 'messy, noisy, and it was crowded' be corrected?

• Messy, noisy, and crowded

• Messy, noisy, and was crowded

• It was messy, noisy, and crowded

• Messy and noisy, but crowded

Which of the following demonstrates correct parallel structure?

• He quickly ran, jumped, and was shouting

• She likes to swim, to dance, and singing

• They were tired, hungry, and happy

• We were walking, to eat, and had been sleeping

Which option corrects the parallel structure in the sentence: 'Trying desperately to find his keys, he looked in his bedroom, the sofa, and on the kitchen counter'?

• In his bedroom, the sofa, and the kitchen counter

• In his bedroom, under the sofa, and on the kitchen counter

• In his bedroom, near the sofa, and beside the kitchen counter

• In his bedroom, the sofa, and beside the kitchen counter

What is the correct way to maintain parallel structure in the sentence involving university students, business people, and teachers?

• University students, business people, and teachers all use the internet

• University students research, business people hold conferences, teachers deliver

• University students use, business people use, and teachers use

• All use the internet for their respective tasks

What voice should be consistently used to maintain parallel structure in complex sentences?

• Passive voice

• Active voice

• Any consistent voice

• First-person voice