1. Parallel Structure/Parallelism
Parallelism refers to matching grammatical structures in sentences. Elements in a sentence that have the same function or express similar ideas should be grammatically parallel, or grammatically matched.
Parallelism is used effectively as a rhetorical device throughout literature and in speeches, advertising copy, and popular songs.

2. Importance of Parallelism
When you write a thesis statement, often you have to summarize three reasons in parallel form.
Example: Tobacco should be outlawed because it endangers everyone’s health, pollutes the environment, and drains us of valuable energy.

3. Parallelism in Sentences
Poor: Betty has intelligence, honesty, and she is funny.
Improved: Betty has intelligence, honesty, and
she is funny humour.
Poor: Good writing requires you to plan outlines, write several drafts, and revision.
Improved: Good writing requires you to plan outlines, write several drafts, and revision revise your work.

4. Parallelism in Lists Poor: I left my job for several reasons:
The pay was poor
Long hours
I found the work tedious
Equipment was dangerous
Improved: I left my job for several reasons:
Poor pay
Tedious work
Dangerous equipment

5. Repeating parts of a sentence for parallel structure
She needs to go to the store and (to the) park. =with two items, you can repeat as much or as little as you want, but shorter is better
She needs to go to the store, park, and to the office. =don’t repeat words for the third one but not the second
Free powerpoint template:

6. Not Parallel These boys could name the types of trees, flowers, and some kinds of birds in the forest. Parallel These boys could name the types of trees, flowers, and birds in the forest.

7. Not Parallel The man was lonely, old, and a miser
Not Parallel The man was lonely, old, and a miser. Parallel The man was lonely, old, and miserly.

8. Not Parallel The model learned to speak well, walking with poise, and that she must apply makeup correctly. Parallel The model learned to speak well, to walk with poise, and to apply makeup correctly.

9. Free powerpoint template: www.brainybetty.com

10. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A. I wondered whether to make an outline first or I should write the rough draft. B. I wondered whether to make an outline first or to write the rough draft. C. I wondered whether to make an outline first or writing rough draft. D. I wondered whether to make an outline first or that I should write a rough draft.

11. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A. I wondered whether to make an outline first or I should write the rough draft. B. I wondered whether to make an outline first or to write the rough draft. C. I wondered whether to make an outline first or writing rough draft. D. I wondered whether to make an outline first or that I should write a rough draft.

12. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A. The teacher came into the room, he paused before the class, and began the lesson. B. The teacher came into the room, he paused before the class, and he began the lesson. C. The teacher came into the room, he paused before the class, and decided to begin the lesson. D. The teacher came into the room, he paused before the class, and beginning the lesson.

13. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A. The teacher came into the room, he paused before the class, and began the lesson. B. The teacher came into the room, he paused before the class, and he began the lesson. C. The teacher came into the room, he paused before the class, and decided to begin the lesson. D. The teacher came into the room, he paused before the class, and beginning the lesson.

14. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A. Her choices were one, to begin college, or two, to find a job. B. Her choices were one, begin college, or two, be an employee. C. Her choices were one, begin college, or two, that she find a job. D. Her choices were one, beginning college, or two, find a job.

15. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A. Her choices were one, to begin college, or two, to find a job. B. Her choices were one, begin college, or two, be an employee. C. Her choices were one, begin college, or two, that she find a job. D. Her choices were one, beginning college, or two, find a job.

16. Sample Item
Directions: Choose the sentence that has no errors in structure.
Eileen bought new shoes for the party, a gold charm for her mother, and to treat her best friend Maria to lunch.
Eileen decided to buy new shoes for the party, purchasing a gold charm for her mother, and treating her best friend Maria to lunch.
Eileen purchased new shoes for the party, a gold charm for her mother, and lunch for Maria, her best friend.
Eileen bought new shoes for the party, a gold charm for her mother, and to treat her best friend Maria to lunch.
Eileen decided to buy new shoes for the party, purchasing a gold charm for her mother, and treating her best friend Maria to lunch.
Eileen purchased new shoes for the party, a gold charm for her mother, and lunch for Maria, her best friend.

17. Item 1
Barking dogs, kittens that were meowing, and squawking parakeets greet the pet shop visitors.
Barking dogs, meowing kittens, and squawking parakeets greet the pet shop visitors.
Dogs that bark, kittens that meow, and parakeets squawking greet the pet shop visitors.
Barking dogs, kittens that were meowing, and squawking parakeets greet the pet shop visitors.
Barking dogs, meowing kittens, and squawking parakeets greet the pet shop visitors.
Dogs that bark, kittens that meow, and parakeets squawking greet the pet shop visitors. B

18. Item 2
During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with Brittney, eating candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet.
During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with Brittney, he ate candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet.
During class, Samuel spent his time to flirt with Brittney, to eat candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet.
During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with Brittney, eating candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet.
During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with Brittney, he ate candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet.
During class, Samuel spent his time to flirt with Brittney, to eat candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet. A

19. Item 3
Alex looked everywhere for his math book— under the bed, on his desk, and he searched inside the refrigerator.
Alex looked everywhere for his math book— viewing under the bed, searching on his desk, and inside the refrigerator.
Alex looked everywhere for his math book— under the bed, on his desk, and inside the refrigerator.
Alex looked everywhere for his math book— under the bed, on his desk, and he searched inside the refrigerator.
Alex looked everywhere for his math book— viewing under the bed, searching on his desk, and inside the refrigerator.
Alex looked everywhere for his math book— under the bed, on his desk, and inside the refrigerator. C

20. Item 4
The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, smiled at the customers, and didn’t snack on the chicken nuggets.
The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, would be smiling at the customers, and would not be snacking on the chicken nuggets.
The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, smiled at the customers, and no snacking on the chicken nuggets.
The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, smiled at the customers, and didn’t snack on the chicken nuggets.
The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, would be smiling at the customers, and would not be snacking on the chicken nuggets.
The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, smiled at the customers, and no snacking on the chicken nuggets. A

21. Item 5
After giving Jeremy her phone number, Felicia had to tolerate his late night calls, stupid conversations, and requests for her math homework.
After giving Jeremy her phone number, Felicia had to tolerate his late night calls, the fact that he carried on stupid conversations, and requests for her math homework.
After giving Jeremy her phone number, Felicia had to tolerate being woken up late at night, having stupid conversations, and he constantly requested her math homework.
After giving Jeremy her phone number, Felicia had to tolerate his late night calls, stupid conversations, and requests for her math homework.
After giving Jeremy her phone number, Felicia had to tolerate his late night calls, the fact that he carried on stupid conversations, and requests for her math homework.
After giving Jeremy her phone number, Felicia had to tolerate being woken up late at night, having stupid conversations, and he constantly requested her math homework. A

22. Item 6
Pasta boiling in water, __________, and garlic bread baking in the oven welcomed Francisco as he opened the door.
simmered tomato sauce in the pan
tomato sauce simmering in the pan
tomato sauce that simmered in the pan
saucy tomatoes that were simmering in the pan
Pasta boiling in water, __________, and garlic bread baking in the oven welcomed Francisco as he opened the door.
simmered tomato sauce in the pan
tomato sauce simmering in the pan
tomato sauce that simmered in the pan
saucy tomatoes that were simmering in the pan B

23. Item 7
During our vacation in the Bahamas, we hope __________, to enjoy beautiful sunsets, and to dance ourselves dizzy at reggae clubs.
that we eat delicious seafood
that eating delicious seafood occurs
to eat delicious seafood
eating delicious seafood
During our vacation in the Bahamas, we hope __________, to enjoy beautiful sunsets, and to dance ourselves dizzy at reggae clubs.
that we eat delicious seafood
that eating delicious seafood occurs
to eat delicious seafood
eating delicious seafood C

24. Item 8
Karen wished Ray chewed with his mouth closed, for otherwise he was everything she wanted in a date; he was tall, intelligent, and __________.
he looked good
being good looking
one handsome man to look at
handsome
Karen wished Ray chewed with his mouth closed, for otherwise he was everything she wanted in a date; he was tall, intelligent, and __________.
he looked good
being good looking
one handsome man to look at
handsome D

25. Item 9
To win Laurie’s love, Albert visited the florist for roses, the drugstore for a box of chocolates, and __________.
bought an expensive gold necklace at the jewelry store
the jeweler for an expensive gold necklace
the jeweler where he bought an expensive gold necklace
to buy an expensive gold necklace
To win Laurie’s love, Albert visited the florist for roses, the drugstore for a box of chocolates, and __________.
bought an expensive gold necklace at the jewelry store
the jeweler for an expensive gold necklace
the jeweler where he bought an expensive gold necklace
to buy an expensive gold necklace B

26. Item 10
Kimberly won’t date Terry because he is too short, too noisy, and _________.
because he picks his teeth with his fingers
too impolite
is the most impolite man she has ever met
Picking his teeth with his fingers
Kimberly won’t date Terry because he is too short, too noisy, and _________.
because he picks his teeth with his fingers
too impolite
is the most impolite man she has ever met
Picking his teeth with his fingers B

27. 11. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A
11. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A. He came, he saw, and he received. B. He came, he wanted to see, but he didn’t. C. He came; he started to ask; he didn’t want to. D. He saw, didn’t come or receive.

28. 12. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A
12. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A. The children laughed, jumped, and danced. B. The children were laughing, jumped, and some were dancing. C. The children were laughing and jumping; some even danced. D. The children laughed, dancing, and jumping.

29. 13. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A
13. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A. You are not only a student but also very athletic. B. You are not only a student but also being very athletic. C. You are not only a student but also an athlete. D. You are not only a student but also have athletic ability.

30. 14. Choose the correct words to make the sentence parallel
14. Choose the correct words to make the sentence parallel. Ron was an expert tennis player and _____. A. went fishing B. fished C. liked to go fishing D. an avid fisherman

31. 15. Choose the correct words to make the sentence parallel
15. Choose the correct words to make the sentence parallel. Don would always open the mail, throw away the junk mail, and _____. A. to organize the bills. B. organizing the bills C. organize the bills D. organization of the bills

32. 16. Choose the correct words to make the sentence parallel
16. Choose the correct words to make the sentence parallel. Rebecca was not only my boss but also ______. A. is my friend B. says she is my friend C. friendly D. my friend