Parallelism Parallelism

Making your Sentence Structure

Clear!!

PP 15-13a

Parallelism 1. Parallelism is the linking together of similar

grammatical parts in a sentence.

2. Using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas are equally important.

3. To have parallel sentence structure, related ideas or ideas joined in a list should be presented in the same grammatical structure (i.e. nouns, verbs, phrases, clauses)

4. Usually use coordinating conjunctions ("and,” "or”) to join parallel structures.

ParallelismParallelism looks like this: looks like this:

Items in a series must have parallel structure.

Tom ate ,, ..

Tom ate his dinner, watched his favorite T.V. program, and went to bed late at night.

, , andand

Non-parallel structureNon-parallel structure looks like this:

Don’t create problems by mixing grammatical elements.

,, , , andand ..

Tom ate his dinner, watched his favorite T.V. program, and going to bed late at night.

Tom ate

PP 15-13a

A quick Test: Identify which sentence has no error in structure: 1. The manager wanted staff who arrived on time,

smiled at the customers, and worked hard on tasks.

2. Relaxation can include reading for pleasure, playing with your friends, or to participate in sports activities.

3. One way to fight stress is to discuss your problems with either a friend or a relative.

4. During class, Sami spent his time talking to Ahmed, he ate a candy, and scribbled on his assignment sheet.

5. Alex looked everywhere for his math book — under the bed, on his desk, and he searched inside the refrigerator.

6. You can calm both your mind and your body by thinking positive thoughts.

Parallel StructureParallel Structure

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 three levels:

Word

Phrase

Clause

Words and PhrasesWords and Phrases

Incorrect:

Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.

Correct:

Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.

More Examples: Words & Phrases

The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a thorough manner.

The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.

Incorrect:

Correct:

ClausesParallel structure that begins with clauses must continue on with clauses.

Incorrect:

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.

Correct:

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

Lists after a colon

Incorrect:

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

Correct:

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

PP 15-13a

Activity 2: Choose the sentence that has no error in structure:

During our vacation in Egypt, we hope __________, to enjoy beautiful sunsets, and to visit amazing ancient places.

A. that we eat delicious seafoodB. that eating delicious seafood occursC. to eat delicious seafoodD. eating delicious seafood

PP 15-13a

Activity 2: Choose the sentence that has no error in structure:

Karen thought that Ray was everything she wanted in a husband, for he was tall, intelligent, and __________.

A. he looked goodB. being good lookingC. one handsome man to look atD. handsome

PP 15-13a

Activity 2: Choose the sentence that has no error in structure:

Pasta boiling in water, __________, and garlic bread baking in the oven welcomed Fadi as he opened the door.

A. simmered tomato sauce in the panB. tomato sauce simmering in the pan

C. tomato sauce that simmered in the panD. saucy tomatoes that were simmering in

the pan

PP 15-13a

Activity 2: Choose the sentence that has no error in structure:

To buy a birthday gift for his friend, Albert visited the florist for roses, the shop for a box of chocolates, and __________.

A. bought an expensive gold necklace at the jewelry store

B. the jeweler for an expensive gold necklace

C. the jeweler where he bought an expensive gold necklace

D. to buy an expensive gold necklace

PP 15-13a

Activity 2: Choose the sentence that has no error in structure:

I do not ever want to be friends with Adam because he is too talkative, too noisy, and _________.

A.because he the most impolite person I have ever met.

B. too impolite.C. being the most impolite person I

have ever met. D. lacks politeness.

PP 15-13a

Activity 3: Choose the sentence that has no error in structure: 1. Sabrina has wit, charm, and she has an extremely pleasant

personality.

2. In English class, Tim learned to read poems critically and he appreciated good prose.

3. We found the film repulsive, offensive, and we thought it was embarrassing.

4. Mr. John kept his store clean, neat, and he had it conveniently arranged.

5. Dina does not like to sing, dance, or acting.

6. Ali was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study, was always completing his lab problems carelessly, and his motivation was low.

7. Without good exercising, our team can be expected to lose more than ten games, to drop out of the championship very early on, and their popularity will suffer greatly.

PP 15-13a

Activity 4: Punctuate the following sentences:

1. advertising is essential to the free enterprise system yet it can sometimes be very annoying

2. as a result the government is considering a ban but no action has been taken yet

3. writing essays is easy it just takes a little practice 4. your proposal is a good one however I do not completely

agree with your final suggestions 5. the keys to improving grades are to take effective notes

in class to plan study time and to prepare carefully for exams

6. democracy is a noble goal it is important however to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority

7. when she arrives she will start her work immediately8. even if you fail at least you tried and youre a better

person for it.

PP 15-13a

Activity 5: Write a topic sentence for each of the following:

1. Living in the countryside

2. The benefits of reading in a foreign language

3. A frightening experience

4. Patience

5. Food commercials

6. Non-violent struggle

7. The life of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

PP 15-13a

Activity 6: Correct the errors in the following sentences:

1. Tom who is from the UK whereas Joe is from Australia. 2. Joe started teaching in 1994, in contrast Tom who started in 1991. 3. Joe gives his students responsibility and Tom gives his

students responsibility. 4. Although they are young, but they are experienced. 5. The first different is them accent. 6. Their style of teaching are the same. 7. Joe don’t has got any children. 8. Joe teaches students whose studying on the Math course. 9. Joe and Tom very good teachers. 10.Tom comes from the UK however Joe comes from

Australia. 11.Tom, on the other hand, he graduated after three years of

study. 12. One of the most similarities is that they a good teachers.