Parallel structure refers to a balance within sentences of similar grammatical elements like phrases, clauses, words. Using parallel structure improves clarity and readability. Some key rules for parallel structure include using similar grammatical elements when joined by conjunctions, in lists, in comparisons, and elements joined by verbs like "is" or linking words. Maintaining parallel structure prevents awkward sentences and promotes effective writing.

1. What is Parallel Structure?

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4. •Direction: Rewrite the sentences to
show parallel structure.
•1. Nancy likes playing the piano, the
trumpet and play the guitar.
•2. She played basketball, had a
shower and gone to school.
•3. You can apply to the job by filling
this form or apply by telephone.

5. •1. Nancy likes the piano, the trumpet
and the guitar.
•Nancy likes playing the piano, the
trumpet and the guitar.
•2. She played basketball, had a
shower and went to school.
•3. You can apply to the job by filling
this form or you can apply by
telephone.
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6. Parallel Structure
The repetition of a chosen
grammatical form within a
sentence
Good parallel structure
improves the clarity of
your writing

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8. •Poor: Betty has intelligence,
honesty, and she is funny.
•Improved: Betty has intelligence,
honesty, and humor.
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9. Rules of Parallelism
• 1. Parallelism is used to balance nouns with
nouns, prepositional phrases with prepositional
phrases, participles with participles, infinitives
with infinitives, clauses with clauses.
• 2. Parallelism is used with elements joined by
coordinating conjunctions.
• My mother likes cooking and to read.
• My mother likes cooking and reading
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10. 3.Parallelism is used with elements in lists
or in a series.
This task can be done individually, in pairs,
or can be done in groups of four.
This task can be done individually, in pairs,
or in groups of four.
4. Parallelism is used with elements being
compared. She is mad about watching TV
more than to read a book . She is mad
about watching TV more than reading a
book.
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11. 5. Parallelism is used with elements joined
by a linking verb or a form of be To learn is
understanding the world. To learn is to
understand the world.
6. Parallelism is used with elements joined
by linking words. The teacher not only
wants his students to keep quiet but also to
do the task . The teacher wants his students
not only to keep quiet but also to do the
task .
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12. • The balance between two or more similar words,
phrases or clauses is called parallelism in
grammar. Parallelism is also called parallel
structure or parallel construction. Parallel
construction prevents awkwardness, promotes
clarity and improves writing style and readability.
• In grammar, parallelism, also known as parallel
structure or parallel construction, is a balance
within one or more sentences of similar phrases
or clauses that have the same grammatical
structure. The application of parallelism
improves writing style and readability, and is
thought to make sentences easier to process
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Parallel Structure..?

14. 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. 14

15. • Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ failed
in their relationship because he was
older than her, Scientology, and being
a celebrity.
• Improved: Tom Cruise and Katie
Holmes’ relationship failed due to
their age difference, their religious
beliefs, and their fame.
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17. 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.
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18. 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.
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19. A. The three authors show the value of reading by
using metaphors, they give detailed examples, and
their personal experiences also.
B. The three authors show the value of reading by
using metaphors, examples, and personal
experiences.
C. The three authors show the value of reading by
using metaphors, examples, and their personal
experiences.
D. The three authors show the value of reading by
using metaphors, giving examples, and personal
experiences.
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Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.

20. A. The three authors show the value of reading by
using metaphors, they give detailed examples,
and their personal experiences also.
B. The three authors show the value of reading
by using metaphors, examples, and personal
experiences.
C. The three authors show the value of reading by
using metaphors, examples, and their personal
experiences.
D. The three authors show the value of reading by
using metaphors, giving examples, and
personal experiences.
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21. • 1. This diet emphasizes fresh vegetables, whole-
grain bread, and meat that is broiled.
• 2. The children need to put away their toys, and
they should brush their teeth before they go to
bed.
• 3. This course is designed to teach you to write a
good essay and avoiding grammatical errors.
• 4. She wore a diamond ring, a pearl necklace,
and a bracelet made if jade.
• 5. The goals of the French revolution were
liberty, equality, and fraternity.
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22. • 6. He is overweight because he loves to
eat, but hates exercising.
• 7. The witness appeared quiet, calm, and
had confidence.
• 8. We are looking for a house with three
bedrooms, two baths, and that has a large
bathroom.
• 9. The dessert was light, creamy and
delicious.
• 10. She likes to dance, to eat, and having a
good time.
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