Parallel Structure

DefinedParallel 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.

The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as "and" or “or”.

Whenever you include a list of actions or items, you must use equal grammatical units.

If the first item is a noun, then the following items must also be nouns.

If the first action is a simple past tense verb, then make the other items simple past tense verbs as well.

Visual look at nonparallel structure

Nonparallel structure looks like this:

Students , , and

What do you notice?

Nonparallel StructureWritten Example

Students capped their pens, were closing their notebooks,

and zipped their book bags as they tried to alert Professor Jones, who was rambling at the podium, that the end

of class had arrived.

What makes this sentence NOT parallel?

Not parallel because…

Capped and zipped are both simple past tense verbs, but were closing is not.

Visual look at parallel structure

Parallel structure looks like this:

Students , , and

What do you notice?

Parallel StructureWritten Example

Students capped their pens, closed their notebooks,

and zipped their book bags as they tried to alert Professor Jones, who was rambling at the podium, that the end

of class had arrived.

What makes this sentence parallel?

Parallel because…

Capped, closed, and zipped are all simple past tense verbs.

To establish parallelism…(1) You can use all simple past tense verbs:

• Students capped their pens, closed their notebooks, and zipped their book bags as they tried to alert Professor Jones, who was rambling at the podium, that the end of class had arrived.

OR

(2) You can revise (change) the sentence so that all of the items in the list are nouns:

• Students gathered their pens, notebooks, and book bags as they tried to alert Professor Jones, who was rambling at the podium, that the end of class had arrived.

Guided Practice

With a partner or two,

1. Number 1-4.

2. Read and discuss the parallelism in each sentence.

3. Select and write the letter that contains the best answer that completes the sentence.

1. When Delores realized that her father had made lima beans and rice for dinner, she ___________, claimed to feel nauseous, and excused herself from the table. The bag of stale popcorn would tide her over until breakfast.

a. clutched her stomachb. was clutching her stomachc. did clutch her stomach

________________________________________________________________

2. Not only did Harold despise the way Janelle chewed with her mouth open, but he also __________ finding her wet towels all over the bathroom floor.a. dislikeb. dislikingc. disliked

3. To protect her delicate hands, Felicia will not rake the yard, do the dishes, or _________.

a. refuses to scrub the bathtubb. won’t scrub the bathtubc. scrub the bathtub

__________________________________________________________

4. When Deaundre takes his dog for a walk, Santana enjoys sniffing for edible garbage, ___________, and lunging at squirrels.

a. howls at bicyclistsb. howling at bicyclistsc. he howls at bicyclists

Let Us

REVIEW&

Discuss!!

1. When Delores realized that her father had made lima beans and rice for dinner, she ___________, claimed to feel nauseous, and excused herself from the table. The bag of stale popcorn would tide her over until breakfast.

a. clutched her stomachb. was clutching her stomachc. did clutch her stomach

________________________________________________________________2. Not only did Harold despise the way Janelle chewed

with her mouth open, but he also __________ finding her wet towels all over the bathroom floor.

a. dislikeb. dislikingc. disliked

3. To protect her delicate hands, Felicia will not rake the yard, do the dishes, or _________.

a. refuses to scrub the bathtubb. won’t scrub the bathtubc. scrub the bathtub

__________________________________________________________

4. When DeAndre takes his dog for a walk, Santana enjoys sniffing for edible garbage, ___________, and lunging at squirrels.

a. howls at bicyclistsb. howling at bicyclistsc. he howls at bicyclists