1. Items in a series must have parallel structure.
Parallelism looks like this:
Shane ,
, and .
Shane ,
, and .

2. Here is an example:
Shane ate the pizza, wiped his lips, and burped with contentment.
Ate = past tense verb; wiped = past tense verb; and burped = past tense verb.

3. Don’t create problems by mixing grammatical elements.
Non-parallel structure looks like this:
Shane ,
, and .
Shane ,
, and .

4. The problem looks like this:
Shane ate the pizza, wiped his lips, and burping with contentment.
Now look what you’ve done! Ate and wiped = past tense verbs, but burping = present participle!

5. Write a one sentence summary that describes what parallelism is
Write a one sentence summary that describes what parallelism is not.
What it is? What it Ain’t?

6. Now try a different type!
Quick Test
Directions: In the items that follow, choose the correct word or phrase within the context suggested by the sentence.
Now try a different type!

7. Item 1
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

8. Item 2
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

9. Item 3
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

10. Item 4
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

11. Item 5
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

12. Pass your papers up to be checked by a peer
Peer Check
Pass your papers up to be checked by a peer

13. Answer B C D