Parallel Structure Examples

August 3, 2020 BEN_BEN

1- Which sentence is correct?

a) Our class discussion was engaging, informative, and interesting.

b) Our class discussion was engaging, informative, and should have been longer.

Correct : a) Our class discussion was engaging, informative, and interesting.
Why?
In the first sentence, engaging, informative, and interesting
are all adjectives, so the sentence is parallel. In the second
sentence, while engaging and informative are both adjectives,
should have been longer is a phrase, so the sentence is not parallel.

Parallel Structure (//)

Parallelism

means that items that form a pair (two items) or items that form a series
(more than two items) have the same grammatical structure (are worded the same way).

Lack of parallel structure

occurs when parts of a sentence should be in parallel
grammatical structure (should be worded the same way) but are not.

Parallel Structure Examples

Parallel Structure Error Example

1- Which sentence is correct?

a) Of all desserts, I prefer cake, pie, and dipping strawberries in chocolate.

b) Of all desserts, I prefer cake, pie, and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Correct : b) Of all desserts, I prefer cake, pie, and chocolate-dipped strawberries.
Why?
In the first example, cake and pie are nouns but
dipping strawberries in chocolate is a phrase, so the sentence
is not parallel. In the second example, the three words cake,
pie, and strawberries are all nouns, so the sentence is parallel.
( Chocolate-dipped modifies the noun strawberries. )

2- Which sentence is correct?

a) My dog is the best pet because she knows many tricks, she listens to me, and is pretty.

b) My dog is the best pet because she knows many tricks, she listens to me, and she is pretty

Correct : b) My dog is the best pet because she knows many tricks, she listens to me, and she is pretty
Why?
In the first sentence, she knows tricks and she listens to are independent clauses, but is pretty is not;
therefore, the sentence is not parallel. In the second she knows many tricks, she listens to me, and she
is pretty are all independent clauses, so the overall sentence is parallel.

3- Which sentences are correct?

a) The best way to impress a woman is to make eye contact, ask her questions about her interests, and to tell funny jokes.

b) The best way to impress a woman is to make eye contact, to ask her questions about her interests, and to tell funny jokes.

c) The best way to impress a woman is to make eye contact, ask her questions about her interests, and tell funny jokes.

Correct : b) and c)
Why?
In the first sentence, to is used before the first and third phrases, but not before the second phrase, so the
sentence is not parallel. In the second and third sentences, to is either repeated in each phrase or used only before the first.
Therefore, both sentences are parallel.

Parallel Structure Examples

Checking for Parallel Structure

Use parallelism whenever your writing includes:

1. Linking by coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so; also known as FANBOYS).

2. Linking by correlative conjunctions (either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, not…but).

3. Comparison and contrast statements.

In the examples that follow, the parallel elements are _underlined_,
and the coordinating/correlative conjunctions are boldfaced.

1. Linking by coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

During the party, the ice sculpture was _melting_ and _shrinking_ .

Now an adult dog, Marley will not stop _barking_ or _digging_ .

_Give me liberty_ or _give me death_.

2. Linking by correlative conjunctions (either…or, neither…nor, not only … but also, not…but).

Blueberries are not only _delicious_ but also _rich in antioxidants_.

Either _give me a refund_ or _give me store credit_.

As a kid, my sister would neither _eat her vegetables_ nor _clean her room_.

3. Comparison and contrast statements.

Some say it is better _to plan for tomorrow_ than _to live for today_.

Gamblers often credit _luck_ rather than _skill_ for their winning streaks.

1-
In the following pairs, one sentence has parallel structure, and the other sentence lacks parallel structure. Which sentence is correct?

A) Bob was not only Sam’s roommate, but also he was his best friend.

B) Bob was not only Sam’s roommate but also his best friend.

Correct : B) Bob was not only Sam’s roommate but also his best friend.

Answer A is incorrect. Sam’s roommate is a phrase, and he was his best friend is a sentence. Answer B is correct because his best friend is also a phrase.

2-
In the following pairs, one sentence has parallel structure, and the other sentence lacks parallel structure. Which sentence is correct?

A) In preparation for the gala, I need to buy a cocktail dress, pick out shoes, and to get my hair cut and styled.

B) In preparation for the gala, I need to buy a cocktail dress, to pick out shoes, and to get my hair cut and styled.

Correct : B) In preparation for the gala, I need to buy a cocktail dress, to pick out shoes, and to get my hair cut and styled.

Answer A is incorrect. To is used in the first phrase and the third phrase, so to should also be used in the second phrase.

3- In the following pairs, one sentence has parallel structure, and the other sentence lacks parallel structure. Which sentence is correct?

A. Before the dog show, the dogs were washed with shampoo, dried under blow dryers, and fluffed up with brushes.

B. Before the dog show, the dogs were washed with shampoo, dried under blow dryers, and fluffing was done with brushes.

Correct : A. Before the dog show, the dogs were washed with shampoo, dried under blow dryers, and fluffed up with brushes. Answer B is incorrect. Washed with shampoo and dried under blow dryers are verbs and prepositional phrases. Fluffing was done… is an independent clause.

Parallel Structure Examples

Grammar Practice