1. English IV Ms. Echevarria
Parallel Structure
English IV
Ms. Echevarria

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. You try it! Number you paper from 1 – 10.
Read the sentences on the slides.
Which sentence has parallel structure?
Answer A, B, or C.

7. #1. Which one is parallel?
Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and to play a game of cards.
Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and to play cards.
Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and playing a game of cards.

8. #2. Which one is parallel?
When the weather outside is cold and starting to get windy, I like to be indoors.
When the weather outside is cold and windy, I like to be indoors.
When the weather outside is cold and getting windy, I like to be indoors.

9. #3. Which one is parallel?
Researchers study superbugs, probe their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.
Researchers study superbugs, they probe their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.
Researchers study superbugs, probe their weaknesses, and hope to find new treatments.

10. #4. Which one is parallel?
I have always enjoyed reading the book more than I have watched the movie version.
I have always enjoyed reading the book more than to watch the movie.
I have always enjoyed reading the book more than watching the movie.

11. #5. What is the best way to revise sentence A
#5. What is the best way to revise sentence A? If it is correct as it is, choose A.
Mary tried out for the basketball team, the soccer team, and she went to tryouts for the volleyball team, too.
Mary tried out for the basketball team, and the soccer team, and she tried out for the volleyball team.
Mary tried out for the basketball team, the soccer team, and the volleyball team.

12. Inez heard the phone ringing, answered it, and is taking a message.
#6. What is the best way to revise sentence A? If it is correct as it is, choose A.
Inez heard the phone ringing, answered it, and is taking a message.
Inez heard the phone ringing, went to answer it, and is taking a message.
Inez heard the phone ringing, answered it, and took a message.

13. #7. What is the best way to revise sentence A
#7. What is the best way to revise sentence A? If it is correct as it is, choose A.
In its energy, its lyrics, and the costumes they wore, the band presented a powerful protest.
In its energy, its lyrics, and its costumes, the band presented a powerful protest.
In its energy, the lyrics, and the costumes they wore, the band presented a powerful protest.

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

15. #9. Which one is correct?
Running, lifting, and racquetball are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.
Running, lifting, and a spinning class are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.
Running, lifting, and bicycling are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.

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

17. #1. The correct answer is C because all three verbs end in –ing.
Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and to play a game of cards.
Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and to play cards.
Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and playing a game of cards.

18. The correct answer for #2 is B.
When the weather outside is cold and starting to get windy, I like to be indoors.
When the weather outside is cold and windy, I like to be indoors.
When the weather outside is cold and getting windy, I like to be indoors.

19. The Correct Answer for #3 is………
Researchers study superbugs, probe their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.
Researchers study superbugs, they probe their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.
Researchers study superbugs, probe their weaknesses, and hope to find new treatments.

20. #4. If you said C, you are correct.
…reading the book more than I have watched the movie version.
…reading the book more than to watch the movie.
…reading the book more than watching the movie.

21. #5. Did you choose C?
Mary tried out for the basketball team, the soccer team, and she went to tryouts for the volleyball team, too.
Mary tried out for the basketball team, and the soccer team, and she tried out for the volleyball team.
Mary tried out for the basketball team, the soccer team, and the volleyball team.

22. Inez heard the phone ringing, answered it, and is taking a message.
#6. C is correct because it uses past tense for all three verbs. The other choices contain verb structures that are not parallel.
Inez heard the phone ringing, answered it, and is taking a message.
Inez heard the phone ringing, went to answer it, and is taking a message.
Inez heard the phone ringing, answered it, and took a message.

23. #7. B is the correct choice because all three use the possessive pronoun its before the nouns.
In its energy, its lyrics, and the costumes they wore, the band presented a powerful protest.
In its energy, its lyrics, and its costumes, the band presented a powerful protest.
In its energy, the lyrics, and the costumes they wore, the band presented a powerful protest.

24. #8. Did you choose C?
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.
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.
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.

25. #9. Do you see the same construction? The correct is C
Running, lifting, and racquetball are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.
Running, lifting, and a spinning class are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.
Running, lifting, and bicycling are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.

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