2. A. UNDERSTANDING
PARALLEL STRUCTURE
Parallel structure means using the
same pattern of words to show that two
or more ideas have the same level of
importance. This can happen at the
word, phrase, or clause level.
3. Parallel structure (also called parallelism)
is the repetition of a chosen grammatical
form within a sentence. By making each
compared item or idea in your sentence
follow the same grammatical pattern, you
create a parallel construction.
4. B. GENERAL FORM
1. Noun
Example:
Mr. John brings a headphone, a book,
and some money.
5. 2. Gerunds
Example:
My mother likes cooking, shopping,
and travelling.
3. Adjectives
Example:
She is tall, slim, and beautiful.
6. 4. Infinitives
Example:
We wanted to paint the bedroom, to lay a new
carpet, and to buy a new sofa.
5. Past Tense
Example:
Edo bought a new bag, brought it home, and
gave it for his daughter.
7. 7. Past Perfect Tense
Example:
Joko had finished the game, had taken a
shower, and had eaten lunch by the time I got
to his house.
8. C. CHECKING FOR
PARALLEL STRUCTURE
1. Linking by coordinating conjunctions
Examples:
- Edo and his friend are coming to dinner.
- These shoes are old but comfortable.
- He wants to watch TV or (to) listen to some
music.
- Eating in a restaurant is more fun than
cooking at home.
9. - Taking the bus can be as costly as
taking a plane.
- Although he liked to eat good food,
he did not like to pay high prices for it.
10. 2. Linking by (two-word) correlative conjunctions
(either … or, neither … nor, both … and, not only
… but also).
Examples:
- Either give me a refund
or give me store credit.
- That book is neither
interesting nor accurate.
- The research will take
both time and money.
- Yesterday it not only
rained but (also)
snowed.
11. 3. Comparison and contrast statements.
Examples:
• Some say it is better to plain for tomorrow
than to live for today.
12. Do not mix forms
1. Words
Example:
• Not Parallel:
Ellen likes hiking, the rodeo, and
to take afternoon naps.
• Parallel:
Ellen likes hiking, attending the
rodeo, and taking afternoon
naps.
2. Clause
Example:
• Not Parallel:
I would rather pay for my
education than financial aid.
• Parallel:
I would rather pay for my
education than receive financial
aid.
13. 3. With List
Example:
• Not Parallel:
John Taylor Gatto
criticizes public schools
because they are
compulsory, funded by
the government, and
destroy students'
humanity.
• Parallel:
John Taylor Gatto
criticizes public
schools because they
are compulsory,
government-funded,
and normalizing.
14. 4. List After a Colon
Example:
• Not Parallel:
The dictionary can be
used to find these: word
meanings,
pronunciations, correct
spellings, and looking up
irregular verbs.
• Parallel:
The dictionary can be used
to find these: word
meanings,pronunciations,
correct spelling, and
irregular verbs.