Parallel Structure in Sentences
What is it? Parallel structure means using similar forms of words and phrases to express similar parts of
a sentence. You can see what this means by looking at some examples like those below:
Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. 3 adjectives
Sailing , surfing, and swimming are popular sports
3 –ing endings
After I opened the bill, I wrote the check.
2 past-tense verbs
Stanley likes to fish, to hunt, and to drive .
3 infinitives
Government of the people, for the people and by the people …
3 similar phrases
Non-examples:
Stanley likes to fish, to hunt, and driving.
It is easier to do the right thing than doing wrong.
“Driving” is not parallel.
“To do” does not match “doing.”
Read each sentence. If the sentence structure is parallel, write “C.”
structure is not parallel, write in corrections.
If the
1. The new student was tall, athletic, and he was strong.
2. Planning your work in advance is better than to correct errors later.
3. We amused ourselves on Halloween Eve by telling ghost stories and watching
spooky movies.
4. “To know you is loving you,” said the bride to her new husband.
5. Today’s new homes are smaller, simpler,
and cost less money.
6. The young mechanic performed skillfully and competently on his first job.
7. The graduates crossed the stage slowly and with great care.
8. The babysitter entered the home, looked at the rowdy children, then she resigned
from the job.
9. Many young workers not only have a full-time job but also they also work part time.
10. Medical researchers have had much better luck finding cures for bacterial
illnesses than illnesses caused by viruses.
11. A good ending is more important than a beginning that is good.
12. Two hundred years ago, most people could neither read nor write.
13. Mr. Browning scheduled the new student for Algebra 1, Economics, and for
history.
14. The excited Lotto winner jumped for joy and cashed the check.
15. The fugitive dyed his hair, packed his bags, and was leaving town .
16. Driving under the influence of alcohol is as dangerous to play Russian roulette.
17. In the movies, most young people are single, attractive, and free of cares.
Parallelism
Parallel: The new ingredient will reduce the fat and increase the taste of our burger patty.
Non-Parallel: The new ingredient will reduce the fat in our burger patty, and the meat will have more
taste.
1) Golf requires hand-eye coordination, flexibility, and to be able to concentrate
2) Jack is responsible for loading the trunk, cleaning the seat cushions, and the engine check.
3) Working on tall bridges requires tremendous balance, amazing agility, and will create an eventual
lack of fear.
4) At many high schools, truancy can result in suspension or being expelled from school.
5) To run and playing basketball were his favourite exercises.
6) I always believed that giving was better than to receive.
7) I've read about his running every day and that he plays basketball six times a week.
Extended Parallelism
Re-write the following short “paragraph” below, making sure the parallel sentences are fixed.
My parents complain that I am arrogant, thoughtless, and rebellious. I tell them they misunderstand
me. What they see as arrogance is my attempt to be a person in my own right. What they see as
thoughtlessness is usually just forgetfulness. What they see as rebelliousness is a drive to be
independent.