Parallel Structure
Mrs. Felder
English 10, 6.0
Examples borrowed from Southern Georgia
Writing Lab &
Purdue University Online Writing Lab.
Parallel Structure
 Using the same pattern of words to show
that two or more ideas have the same level
of importance
 Words, phrases, clauses, and whole series
of sentences within paragraphs can be
parallel
Writers & Parallel Structure
 1. Creates an easy flow of information
 2. Enables the writer to concisely make
points
 3. Serves to emphasize points
Examples
 Gerunds: Mary likes hiking, swimming,
and bicycling.
 Infinitives: Mary likes to hike, to swim,
and to ride a bicycle.
OR
Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a
bicycle.
Do Not Mix Forms
 Example 1

Not Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming,
and to ride a bicycle.

Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and
riding a bicycle
Do Not Mix Forms
 Example 2

Not Parallel: The teacher said that he was a
poor student because he waited until the last
minute to study for the exam, completed his
lab problems in a careless manner, and his
motivation was low.

Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor
student because he waited until the last
minute to study for the exam, completed his
lab problems in a careless manner, and lacked
motivation.
Conjugate with me!
 Verbs need to be in the same tense
(conjugation)— and to be parallel with
other verbs, not other parts of speech: “I
want to work and to be appreciated for my
work,” not “I want to work, and
appreciation.”
Practice!
 When Deb realized that her father
had made lima beans and rice for
dinner, she __________, claimed to feel
nauseous, and excused herself from
the table.
 clutched her stomach
 was clutching her stomach
 did clutch her stomach
 Not only does Ed despise the way
Jane chews with her mouth open,
_________ finding her wet towels all
over the bathroom floor.
 but also disliked
 but also disliking
 but he also dislikes
 To protect her delicate hands, Fran
will not rake the yard, do the dishes,
or __________.
 refuses to scrub the bathtub
 won't scrub the bathtub
 scrub the bathtub
Let’s Practice!
 Open up a browser and give yourself a practice
quiz! Give me your score before you leave.
(Practice only!)
 http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
 More Parallel Practice HW- Due Thursday