Exploring Parallel Structure in Sentence Writing

This video tutorial explains the concept of parallel structure in writing. It highlights the importance of maintaining consistent verb forms and structures in connected ideas within a sentence. Through examples, the tutorial demonstrates how non-parallel sentences can sound awkward and provides strategies for correcting them. It covers the use of adjectives, adverbs, gerund phrases, verb phrases, noun phrases, and clauses in achieving parallelism. The tutorial concludes with a review and practice exercises to reinforce the learning.

What does parallel structure in a sentence imply?

• All ideas have different forms.

• Each idea is expressed in a unique way.

• The sentence contains multiple verbs.

• All connected ideas are in the same form.

How can the sentence 'I like reading, painting, and to play sports' be corrected to achieve parallel structure?

• I like to read, to paint, and playing sports.

• I like reading, painting, and playing sports.

• I like reading, to paint, and to play sports.

• I enjoy reading, painting, and to play sports.

Which form disrupts the parallel structure in 'The dog was barking, jumping, and excited'?

• Barking

• Was

• Jumping

• Excited

What is the correct way to maintain parallel structure in the sentence involving the dog's actions?

• The dog was excitedly barking and jumping.

• The dog was barking, jumping, and was excited.

• The excited dog was barking and jumping.

• The dog, excited, was barking and jumping.

What type of grammatical structure is used in 'The children were bored, tired, and cranky'?

• Verb phrases

• Noun phrases

• Adverbs

• Adjectives

What is a gerund?

• A continuous verb form used as an adjective.

• A noun used as a verb.

• A verb form ending in -ing used as a noun.

• An adjective describing a noun.

Which option lists only adjectives?

• Quickly, happily, patiently

• Happy, bored, shiny

• Running, jumping, playing

• Beautiful, quickly, skillfully

What is the role of adverbs in a sentence?

• To connect clauses

• To indicate action

• To describe verbs or other adjectives

• To describe nouns

Which sentence demonstrates correct use of infinitive phrases for parallel structure?

• I enjoy to watch movies, to play soccer, and riding my bike.

• I like to watch movies, playing soccer, and ride my bike.

• I like to watch movies, to play soccer, and to ride my bike.

• I like to watch movies, play soccer, and ride my bike.

In the sentence 'For lunch I ate a grilled cheese sandwich, spicy soup, and a salad', which phrase is not originally parallel?

• Soup that was spicy

• A grilled cheese sandwich

• A salad

• Spicy soup