Parallel Structure Learning Objective: Write sentences that use parallelism effectively.

Learning Objective Students will understand, recognize and write sentences that contain parallel structure.

Understanding Parallel Structure Parallel structure (also called parallelism) is the repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence. By making each compared item or idea in your sentence follow the same grammatical pattern, you create a parallel construction. Example – Not Parallel: – Ellen likes hiking, the rodeo, and to take afternoon naps. – Parallel: – Ellen likes hiking, attending the rodeo, and taking afternoon naps. OR - Ellen likes to hike, attend the rodeo, and take afternoon naps.

Using Parallel Structure With Coordinating Conjunctions – When you connect two or more clauses or phrases with a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so), use parallel structure. Example Not Parallel: My best friend took me dancing and to a show. Parallel: My best friend took me to a dance and a show.

Using Parallel Structure With Correlative Conjunctions – When you connect two clauses or phrases with a correlative conjunction (not only…but also, either…or, neither…nor, if…then, etc.), use parallel structure. – Example – Not Parallel: – My dog not only likes to play fetch, but also chase cars. – Parallel: – My dog not only likes to play fetch, but he also likes to chase cars. OR - My dog likes not only to play fetch, but also to chase cars.

Using Parallel Structure With Phrases or Clauses of Comparison – When you connect two clauses or phrases with a word of comparison, such as than or as, use parallel structure. – Example Not Parallel: I would rather pay for my education than be getting financial aid. Parallel: I would rather pay for my education than receive financial aid.

Using Parallel Structure With Lists When you are comparing items in a list, use parallel structure. – Example – Not Parallel: John Taylor needed to go to the store to get milk, and he also had to buy eggs, and he was going to get oranges too. – Parallel: John Taylor needed to go to the store to get milk, eggs, and oranges.

Mini – Quiz: Write the sentence that contains parallelism 1. a. Cynthia has wit, charm, and she has an extremely pleasant personality. b. Cynthia has wit, charm, and personality. 2. a. Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a wise friend. b. Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and friend. 3. a. We found the film repulsive, offensive, and we thought it was embarrassing. b. We found the film repulsive, offensive, and embarrassing.

Practice: Revise the following Paragraph for parallel structure I would rather eat potatoes than to have to eat rice. This is because potatoes have less calories and they are also a good source of vitamins. A potato can be baked, fried, or you can mash it up.

Practice: Revise the following Paragraph for parallel structure Pirates broke into the palace, stole several valuable items and were really messy. When the prince returned, he vowed to find the thieves and will be hanging them for their crime. But the pirates are not afraid because they know about a secret passage out of the town and can be escaping quickly.

The following sentences or clauses would be more effective were they structured using parallel form. Revise them to make them more effective. Change the wording where necessary. 1. I'd rather you do what I tell you to do than have you imitate me. 2. When you have a cold, you should eat more than you usually do but with a fever you're better off not eating at all. 3. He left town a villain, but when he returned he was considered to be heroic. 4. That family survived poverty; they also had to overcome prejudice; and personal tragedy was another obstacle they met successfully.