Transcript Parallel Structure

Parallel
Structure
Part Three of the Standardized Test Prep Series
• Parallel structure means using the same pattern of
words to show that two or more ideas have the
same level of importance.
• This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause
level.
• The usual way to join parallel structures is with
the use of coordinating conjunctions such as
"and" or "or."
Defined
• Not Parallel:
Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a
bicycle.
• Parallel:
Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a
bicycle.
Example 1
• Not Parallel:
The production manager was asked to write his
report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner.
• Parallel:
The production manager was asked to write his
report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.
**Notice that the wording has to be changed in sentence
two to achieve parallel structure.
Example 2
• Not Parallel:
The teacher said that he was a poor student
because he waited until the last minute to study
for the exam, completed his lab problems in a
careless manner, and his motivation was low.
• Parallel:
The teacher said that he was a poor student
because he waited until the last minute to study
for the exam, completed his lab problems in a
careless manner, and lacked motivation.
Example 3
• Not Parallel:
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:
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.
Example 4
• Not Parallel:
The dictionary can be used to find these: word
meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and
looking up irregular verbs.
• Parallel:
The dictionary can be used to find these: word
meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and
irregular verbs.
And Finally
Rewrite each sentence to fix all parallelism errors.
1. It is easier to tell the truth than lying to people you
love.
2. For her birthday, Marsha received a cake, some clothes,
and she got a new CD player.
3. Jim wanted to scare us by telling us a ghost story and
he showed us a horror movie.
Practice #1
Rewrite each sentence to fix all parallelism errors.
1. The witness described the suspect as tall, lightskinned, and with a beard.
2. Brian disliked not only playing baseball but also to
run long distances.
3. The new house has a large porch, an eat-in kitchen,
and the floors are carpeted.
Practice #2
Rewrite each sentence to fix all parallelism errors.
1. This plan is creative but a risk.
2. I want neither your sympathy nor do I want your
pity.
3. Managing your money well is to be prepared for
the future.
Practice #3
Write a word or phrase in the blank that will give the
sentence parallel structure.
1. The little girl liked eating cookies better than
______________ at her grandmother’s house.
2. Students like to sleep, relax
and____________________ during the summer.
3. He went to the store to pick up a carton of milk and
two ____________________.
Practice #4
Write a word or phrase in the blank that will give
the sentence parallel structure.
1. Food, shelter, and ________________ are all I need
to survive on a deserted island.
2. _______________ is much better than a visit to the
dentist.
3. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating
a good meal, and ______ .
Practice #5
Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel
structure.
A. Marcus vowed that during his vacation, he would do nothing but
sleep, fish, and maybe see a movie.
B. Marcus vowed that during his vacation, he would no nothing but
get some sleep, fishing, and maybe seeing a movie.
C. Marcus vowed that during his vacation, he would do nothing but
sleeping, fishing, and maybe see a movie.
Write a sentence detailing your plans for vacation time using
correct parallel structure.
•
Practice #6
Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel
structure.
A. Bob's duties include answering the phone, taking delivery orders,
and occasionally he drives the delivery truck.
B. Bob's duties include answering the phone, the taking of delivery
orders and the occasional delivery truck driving.
C. Bob's duties include answering the phone, taking delivery orders,
and occasionally driving the delivery truck.
Write a sentence about your responsibilities using correct
parallel structure.
Practice #7
Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel
structure.
A. In her cooking class, Erin learned to blend exotic spices, the
substitution of ingredients, and to set an attractive table.
B. In her cooking class, Erin learned the blending of exotic splices,
substitution of ingredients, and setting an attractive table.
C. In her cooking class, Erin learned to blend exotic spices, to
substitute ingredients, and to set an attractive table.
Write a sentence listing activities from one of your classes using
correct parallel structure.
Practice #8
Select the correct fix for parallel structure.
The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System extending over 2,000 miles from
the Atlantic Ocean to the head of the Great Lakes and ranks as one of the most
amazing engineering feats of the twentieth century.
(A) extending over 2,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the head of the Great
Lakes and ranks
(B) extends over 2,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the head of the Great
Lakes and ranks
(C) extending over 2,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the head of the Great
Lakes and ranking
(D) extending over 2,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the head of the Great
Lakes; ranking
Identify the subject and verb in the corrected sentence.
Combined Practice
Millicent decide/decides that it is often better to try repairing an old
car than to junk it.
(A) to try repairing an old car than to junk it.
(B) to repair an old car than to have it junked.
(C) to try and repair an old car than to junk them.
(D) to try to repair an old car than to junk it.
1. Identify the subject.
2. Identify the correct verb.
3. Identify the correct answer.
4. List one pronoun and its
antecedent from the corrected
sentence.
Combined Practice
Feeling, perhaps, that their votes do not matter, the number of young people
going to the polls are becoming increasingly smaller.
(A) the number of young people going to the polls are becoming
increasingly smaller
(B) the number of young people going to the polls is increasingly smaller
(C) increasingly smaller numbers of young people are going to the polls
(D) young people are going to the polls in increasingly smaller numbers
1. Identify the subject.
3. Identify the correct answer.
2. What is the correct form of the verb? 4. List one pronoun and
antecedent pair from the
corrected sentence.
Combined Practice
Need More?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4TuWHpIIbw
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51YKwPGVlKc&list=P
LE65F559F6012FE54
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQY94ZR4tT8
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjI1PrJIC5c
Follow the above links on my
webpage for additional, specific
ACT/PSAT/SAT preparation.