Note to teachers: •There are 11 questions in the activity. •Instruct the students to write both the letter of the correct answer AND the sentence.•Writing the sentence will help the students understand parallel structure than if they simply writes the letter. •Instruct the students to also underline the parts of the sentence that are parallel.•It is possible to break this into two days or to shorten the activity. •Be sure that students answer at least the first 6 questions. After question 4, there are 2 slides with tips related to the students’ own writing.•There are “pointer” slides (entitled “Remember”) beginning with slide #35. It is important that the students read these. •After the pointer slides, there are more questions to reinforce the concept.

Parallel StructureParallel StructureBostrom High SchoolEnglish Department

Ms. Howard

What Is Parallel Structure?

• Parallel construction (or structure) means that a pair or series of items have the same form. • The usual way to join parallel

structures is with the use of coordinating such as and or or.

Think about it….Think about it….• Make sure each item in a series has

the same structure.• Not parallel: Superbugs are adapting,

spreading, and kill thousands.• Parallel: Superbugs are adapting,

spreading, and killing thousands.

• Superbugs are adapting, spreading, and kill thousands.–Notice that two of the verbs in the

series end in –ing, but the third (“kill”) does not. (Not parallel)

• Superbugs are adapting, spreading, and killing thousands.–All three of the verbs in the series end

in –ing. (Parallel)(Parallel)

Click on the link:

• Parallel Structure Rap

B-A-L-A-N-C-E-DB-A-L-A-N-C-E-D

• Do you have a better idea Do you have a better idea about parallel structure now? about parallel structure now? • Parallel structure Parallel structure makes sure makes sure

that your writing is that your writing is balanced.balanced.

Do you see the difference?

Not Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.

Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.

Can you see the difference?

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.

You try it! You try it!

• Number you paper from 1 – 11.• Read the choices on the slides.• Answer A, B, or C.• Write the sentence. Underline the

elements that are parallel.

#1. Which one is parallel & why?#1. Which one is parallel & why?

A. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and to play a game of cards.

B. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and to play cards.

C. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and playing a game of cards.

#1. #1. The correct answer is C because all three verbs end in –ing.

A. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and to play a game of cards.

B. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and to play cards.

C. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and playing a game of cards.

• Be sure that you write the sentence and underline the elements. • For example, for question #1, you

would underline the words that are in red.–Justin was excited about invitinginviting

friends over, eatingeating a good meal, and playingplaying a game of cards.

If you answered incorrectly,If you answered incorrectly,• Change the answer on your

paper. • Cross out the elements that are

NOT parallel and replace them with the elements that ARE parallel.

#2. Let’s try another! Which sentence #2. Let’s try another! Which sentence contains parallel structure?contains parallel structure?

A. When the weather outside is cold and starting to get windy, I like to be indoors.

B. When the weather outside is cold and windy, I like to be indoors.

C. When the weather outside is cold and getting windy, I like to be indoors.

#2. #2. Are these two parts two parts the same? (Hint: Look at the words in blueblue.)

•When the weather outside is coldcold and starting to get windystarting to get windy, I like to be indoors.

#2. #2. Are these two parts two parts the same?

•When the weather outside is coldcold and getting windygetting windy, I like to be indoors.

#2. #2. Are these two parts two parts the same?

• When the weather outside is coldcold and windywindy, I like to be indoors.

The correct answer for #2 #2 is B.B.A. When the weather outside is cold and

starting to get windy, I like to be indoors.

B. When the weather outside is coldcold and windywindy, I like to be indoors.

C. When the weather outside is cold and getting windy, I like to be indoors.

#3. #3. A typical test question: A typical test question: • What is the bestbest way to revise this

sentence?– Researchers study superbugs, probe

their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.

• Read the three choices on the next slide, write the letter of the best choice, and explain (in writing) why it is the best choice.

#3. Write the sentence that is parallel & underline #3. Write the sentence that is parallel & underline the parallel elements.the parallel elements.A. Researchers study superbugs,

probe their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.

B. Researchers study superbugs, they probe their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.

C. Researchers study superbugs, probe their weaknesses, and hope to find new treatments.

#3. #3. What is the correct answer? Examine the words in purplepurple & redred.

What do you see?A. Researchers studystudy superbugs, probeprobe their

weaknesses, and they hope they hope to find new treatments.

B. Researchers studystudy superbugs, they probe they probe their weaknesses, and they hope they hope to find new treatments.

C. Researchers studystudy superbugs, probeprobe their weaknesses, and hopehope to find new treatments.

#3. You’ve got it!#3. You’ve got it!• The words in purplepurple are not balanced;

they do not have parallel structureA. studystudy … probeprobe … they hopethey hopeB. studystudy … they probe they probe … they hopethey hope

• The words in redred ARE balanced; they HAVE parallel structure.

C.C. studystudy … probeprobe … hopehope

The Correct Answer for #3 #3 is………A. Researchers study superbugs, probe their

weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.

B. Researchers study superbugs, they probe their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.

C.C. Researchers study superbugs, probe Researchers study superbugs, probe their weaknesses, and hope to find their weaknesses, and hope to find new treatments. new treatments.

#4. Which one is parallel? Write the #4. Which one is parallel? Write the sentence on your paper & underline sentence on your paper & underline the parallel elements. the parallel elements. A. I have always enjoyed reading the book

more than I have watched the movie version.

B. I have always enjoyed reading the book more than to watch the movie.

C. I have always enjoyed reading the book more than watching the movie.

#4. #4. Which one is parallel? Look at the parts.Look at the parts.

A. I have always enjoyed reading the reading the book book more than I have watched the I have watched the movie versionmovie version.

B. I have always enjoyed reading the reading the book book more than to watch the movieto watch the movie.

C. I have always enjoyed reading the reading the bookbook more than watching the moviewatching the movie.

#4. If you said CC, you are correct.

A. …reading the book reading the book more than I have I have watched the movie versionwatched the movie version.

B. …reading the book reading the book more than to watch to watch the moviethe movie.

C. …reading the book reading the book more than watching the moviewatching the movie.

• Do you see the -ing verbs -ing verbs followed by thethe and the nounnoun?

Proofreading Strategies to Try:Proofreading Strategies to Try:

• Skim your paper, pausing at the words "and" and "or." Check on each side of these words to see whether the items joined are parallel. If not, make them parallel.

• If you have several items in a list, put them in a column to see if they are parallel.

More proofreading strategiesMore proofreading strategies

• Listen to the sound of the items in a list or the items being compared.

• Do you hear the same kinds of sounds? For example, is there a series of "-ing" words beginning each item?

• Or do your hear a rhythm being repeated? If something is breaking that rhythm or repetition of sound, check to see if it needs to be made parallel.

LET’S PRACTICE SOME MORE LET’S PRACTICE SOME MORE Parallel Structure

#5. #5. What is the best way to revise sentence A? If it is correct as it is, choose A.

A. Mary tried out for the basketball team, the soccer team, and she went to tryouts for the volleyball team, too.

B. Mary tried out for the basketball team, and the soccer team, and she tried out for the volleyball team.

C. Mary tried out for the basketball team, the soccer team, and the volleyball team.

#5. Did you choose CC?

A. Mary tried out for the basketball team, the soccer team, and she went to tryouts for the volleyball team, too.

B. Mary tried out for the basketball team, and the soccer team, and she tried out for the volleyball team.

C. Mary tried out for the basketball teambasketball team, the soccer teamsoccer team, and the volleyball teamvolleyball team.

#6. #6. What is the best way to revise sentence A? If it is correct as it is, choose A.

A. Inez heard the phone ringing, answered it, and is taking a message.

B. Inez heard the phone ringing, went to answer it, and is taking a message.

C. Inez heard the phone ringing, answered it, and took a message.

#6. C C is correct because it uses past tense for all three verbs. The other choices contain verb

structures that are not parallel.

A. Inez heard the phone ringing, answered it, and is taking a message.

B. Inez heard the phone ringing, went to answer it, and is taking a message.

C. Inez heardheard the phone ringing, answeredanswered it, and tooktook a message.

SOME POINTERS ABOUT PARALLEL SOME POINTERS ABOUT PARALLEL STRUCTURESTRUCTURE

After the pointers, there are more practice problems.

Remember!Remember!

• Use Parallel Structure when writing elements in the form of a list or a series.

• Incorrect: The class valued respect, honesty, and being on time in a teacher.

• CorrectCorrect: The class valued respectrespect, honestyhonesty, and promptnesspromptness in a teacher.

Remember!Remember!

• Use Parallel Structure when you join elements two or more elements in your sentence.

• Incorrect: I am allergic to the dog’s hair and how it smells.

• CorrectCorrect: I am allergic to the dog’s dog’s hair hair and its smellits smell.

Remember!Remember!

• Use Parallel Structure when you are comparing or contrasting element.

• Incorrect: James enjoys reading more than to write.

• Correct: James enjoys readingreading more than writingwriting.

Remember!Remember!• Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the

same form.• Not Parallel:

The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.

• Parallel:Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meaningsword meanings, pronunciationspronunciations, correct spellingscorrect spellings, and irregular verbsirregular verbs.

More practice questionsMore practice questions

• Continue with questions 7 – 11.

#7. #7. What is the best way to revise sentence A? If it is correct as it is, choose A.

A. In its energy, its lyrics, and the costumes they wore, the band presented a powerful protest.

B. In its energy, its lyrics, and its costumes, the band presented a powerful protest.

C. In its energy, the lyrics, and the costumes they wore, the band presented a powerful protest.

#7. B#7. B is the correct choice because all three use the possessive pronoun its before the nouns.

A. In its energy, its lyrics, and the costumes they wore, the band presented a powerful protest.

B. In its energyits energy, its lyricsits lyrics, and its costumesits costumes, the band presented a powerful protest.

C. In its energy, the lyrics, and the costumes they wore, the band presented a powerful protest.

#8. #8. What is the best way to revise sentence A? If it is correct as it is, choose A.

A. 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.

B. The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, to not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.

C. 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.

#8. #8. Did you choose C?

A. 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.

B. The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, to not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.

C. The coach told the players that they should that they should getget a lot of sleep, that they should not eat that they should not eat too much, and that they should do that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.

#9. #9. Review: Which one is correct?

A. Running, lifting, and racquetball are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.

B. Running, lifting, and a spinning class are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.

C. Running, lifting, and bicycling are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.

#9. #9. Do you see the same construction?

A. Running, lifting, and racquetball are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.

B. Running, lifting, and a spinning class are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.

C.C. RunningRunning, liftinglifting, and bicyclingbicycling are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.

Parallel Structure with Clauses!Parallel Structure with Clauses!

• A parallel structure that begins with clauses must keep on with clauses. • Changing to another pattern or

changing the voice of the verb (from active to passive or vice versa) will break the parallelism.

Example • Not Parallel:

The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that questions would be asked by prospective buyers. (passive)

• Parallel: The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that prospective buyers would ask him questions.

# 10. # 10. What is the best way to revise sentence A? If it is correct as it is, choose A.

A. Here is where the cold winds blow and the bears hibernate, where a family’s income is double the national average, and almost everyone lives in a trailer.

B. Here is where the cold winds blow and the bears hibernate, where a family’s income is double the national average, and where almost everyone lives in a trailer.

C. Here is where the cold winds blow and the bears hibernate, a family’s income is double the national average, and where almost everyone lives in a trailer.

# 10. # 10. Did you choose B B? Do you see the three where clauses?

A. Here is where the cold winds blow and the bears hibernate, where a family’s income is double the national average, and almost everyone lives in a trailer.

B. Here is wherewhere the cold winds blow and the bears the cold winds blow and the bears hibernatehibernate, wherewhere a family’s income is double the a family’s income is double the national average, national average, and wherewhere almost everyone lives almost everyone lives in a trailerin a trailer.

C. Here is where the cold winds blow and the bears hibernate, a family’s income is double the national average, and where almost everyone lives in a trailer.

# 11. # 11. Here’s a challenge for you!• Is this 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.

# 11. # 11. See the difference?• 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. (not parallel)

• The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waitedwaited until the last minute to study for the exam, completedcompleted his lab problems in a careless manner, and lackedlacked motivation. (parallel)

Congratulations!Congratulations!

• You are now an expert on parallel structure.

• If you pay attention to parallel structure in your writing, it will be more clear, more fluent, and more effective.

Additional Practice

• http://english-grammar-review.com/• Go to: Parallel Construction