Note to teachers:
• There are 11 questions in the activity.
• Instruct the students to write both the letter of the correct answer AND the sentence.
• Writing the sentence will help the students understand parallel structure than if they simply writes the letter.
• Instruct the students to also underline the parts of the sentence that are parallel.
• It is possible to break this into two days or to shorten the activity.
• Be sure that students answer at least the first 6 questions. After question 4, there are 2 slides with tips related to the students’ own writing.
• There are “pointer” slides (entitled “Remember”) beginning with slide #35. It is important that the students read these.
• After the pointer slides, there are more questions to reinforce the concept.

Bostrom High School
English Department
Ms. Howard

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• Make sure each item in a series has the same structure.
• Not parallel: Superbugs are adapting , spreading , and kill thousands.
• Parallel: Superbugs are adapting , spreading , and killing thousands.

• Superbugs are adapting , spreading , and kill thousands.
– Notice that two of the verbs in the series end in –ing, but the third (“kill”) does not.
(Not parallel)
• Superbugs are adapting , spreading , and killing thousands.
– All three of the verbs in the series end in –ing .
(Parallel)

• Parallel Structure Rap

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Do you see the difference?

Can you see the difference?
N ot Parallel:
The production manager was asked to write his report quickly , accurately , and in a detailed manner .
Parallel:
The production manager was asked to write his report quickly , accurately , and thoroughly .

• Number you paper from 1 – 11.
• Read the choices on the slides.
• Answer A, B, or C.
• Write the sentence. Underline the elements that are parallel.

#1. Which one is parallel & why?
A. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and to play a game of cards.
B. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and to play cards.
C. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and playing a game of cards.

#1. The correct answer is C because all three verbs end in –ing .
A. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and to play a game of cards.
B. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and to play cards.
C. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and playing a game of cards.

• Be sure that you write the sentence and underline the elements.
• For example, for question #1, you would underline the words that are in red.
– Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and playing a game of cards.

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#2. Let’s try another! Which sentence contains parallel structure?
A. When the weather outside is cold and starting to get windy, I like to be indoors.
B. When the weather outside is cold and windy, I like to be indoors.
C. When the weather outside is cold and getting windy, I like to be indoors.

#2. Are these two parts the same?
(Hint: Look at the words in blue .)
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and

#2. Are these two parts the same?
•
and

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and

A. When the weather outside is cold and starting to get windy , I like to be indoors.
B. When the weather outside is cold and windy , I like to be indoors.
C. When the weather outside is cold and getting windy , I like to be indoors.

#3. A typical test question:
• What is the best way to revise this sentence?
– Researchers study superbugs, probe their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments
.
• Read the three choices on the next slide, write the letter of the best choice, and explain (in writing) why it is the best choice.

#3. Write the sentence that is parallel & underline the parallel elements.
A. Researchers study superbugs, probe their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.
B. Researchers study superbugs, they probe their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.
C. Researchers study superbugs, probe their weaknesses, and hope to find new treatments.

#3. What is the correct answer?
Examine the words in purple & red .
What do you see?
A. Researchers study superbugs, probe their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.
B. Researchers study superbugs, they probe their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.
C. Researchers study superbugs, probe their weaknesses, and hope to find new treatments.

• The words in purple are not balanced; they do not have parallel structure
A. study … probe … they hope
B. study … they probe … they hope
• The words in red ARE balanced; they
HAVE parallel structure.
C. study … probe … hope

A. Researchers study superbugs, probe their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.
B. Researchers study superbugs, they probe their weaknesses, and they hope to find new treatments.
C. Researchers study superbugs, probe their weaknesses, and hope to find new treatments.

#4. Which one is parallel? Write the sentence on your paper & underline the parallel elements.
A. I have always enjoyed reading the book more than I have watched the movie version.
B. I have always enjoyed reading the book more than to watch the movie.
C. I have always enjoyed reading the book more than watching the movie.

#4.
A. I have always enjoyed reading the book more than I have watched the movie version .
B. I have always enjoyed reading the book more than to watch the movie .
C. I have always enjoyed reading the book more than watching the movie .

C
A. … reading the book more than I have watched the movie version .
B. … reading the book more than to watch the movie .
C. … reading the book more than watching the movie .
• Do you see the -ing verbs followed by the and the noun ?

Proofreading Strategies to Try:
• Skim your paper, pausing at the words
"and" and "or." Check on each side of these words to see whether the items joined are parallel. If not, make them parallel.
• If you have several items in a list, put them in a column to see if they are parallel.

• Listen to the sound of the items in a list or the items being compared.
• Do you hear the same kinds of sounds? For example, is there a series of "-ing" words beginning each item?
• Or do your hear a rhythm being repeated? If something is breaking that rhythm or repetition of sound, check to see if it needs to be made parallel.

Parallel Structure
LET’S PRACTICE SOME MORE

#5. What is the best way to revise sentence A?
If it is correct as it is, choose A.
A. Mary tried out for the basketball team, the soccer team, and she went to tryouts for the volleyball team, too.
B. Mary tried out for the basketball team, and the soccer team, and she tried out for the volleyball team.
C. Mary tried out for the basketball team, the soccer team, and the volleyball team.

A. Mary tried out for the basketball team, the soccer team, and she went to tryouts for the volleyball team, too.
B. Mary tried out for the basketball team, and the soccer team, and she tried out for the volleyball team.
C. Mary tried out for the basketball team , the soccer team , and the volleyball team .

#6. What is the best way to revise sentence A?
If it is correct as it is, choose A.
A. Inez heard the phone ringing, answered it, and is taking a message.
B. Inez heard the phone ringing, went to answer it, and is taking a message.
C. Inez heard the phone ringing, answered it, and took a message.

#6. C is correct because it uses past tense for all three verbs . The other choices contain verb structures that are not parallel.
A. Inez heard the phone ringing, answered it, and is taking a message.
B. Inez heard the phone ringing, went to answer it, and is taking a message.
C. Inez heard the phone ringing, answered it, and took a message.

After the pointers, there are more practice problems.
SOME POINTERS ABOUT PARALLEL
STRUCTURE

• Use Parallel Structure when writing elements in the form of a list or a series.
• Incorrect: The class valued respect , honesty , and being on time in a teacher.
• Correct: The class valued respect , honesty , and promptness in a teacher.

• Use Parallel Structure when you join elements two or more elements in your sentence.
• Incorrect: I am allergic to the dog’s hair and how it smells .
• Correct: I am allergic to the dog’s hair and its smell .

• Use Parallel Structure when you are comparing or contrasting element.
• Incorrect: James enjoys reading more than to write .
• Correct: James enjoys reading more than writing .

• Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form.
• Not Parallel:
The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings , pronunciations , correct spellings , and looking up irregular verbs.
• Parallel:
The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings , pronunciations , correct spellings , and irregular verbs .

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#7. What is the best way to revise sentence A?
If it is correct as it is, choose A.
A. In its energy, its lyrics, and the costumes they wore, the band presented a powerful protest.
B. In its energy, its lyrics, and its costumes, the band presented a powerful protest.
C. In its energy, the lyrics, and the costumes they wore, the band presented a powerful protest.

#7. B is the correct choice because all three use the possessive pronoun its before the nouns .
A. In its energy , its lyrics , and the costumes they wore , the band presented a powerful protest.
B. In its energy , its lyrics , and its costumes , the band presented a powerful protest.
C. In its energy , the lyrics , and the costumes they wore , the band presented a powerful protest.

#8. What is the best way to revise sentence A?
If it is correct as it is, choose A.
A. The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.
B. The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, to not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.
C. The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.

#8. Did you choose C ?
A. The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.
B. The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, to not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.
C. The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.

A. Running, lifting, and racquetball are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.
B. Running, lifting, and a spinning class are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.
C. Running, lifting, and bicycling are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.

#9. Do you see the same construction?
A. Running , lifting , and racquetball are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.
B. Running , lifting , and a spinning class are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.
C. Running , lifting , and bicycling are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.

• A parallel structure that begins with clauses must keep on with clauses.
• Changing to another pattern or changing the voice of the verb (from active to passive or vice versa) will break the parallelism.

Example
• Not Parallel:
The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that questions would be asked by prospective buyers. (passive)
• Parallel:
The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that prospective buyers would ask him questions.

# 10. What is the best way to revise sentence A?
If it is correct as it is, choose A.
A. Here is where the cold winds blow and the bears hibernate, where a family’s income is double the national average, and almost everyone lives in a trailer.
B. Here is where the cold winds blow and the bears hibernate, where a family’s income is double the national average, and where almost everyone lives in a trailer.
C. Here is where the cold winds blow and the bears hibernate, a family’s income is double the national average, and where almost everyone lives in a trailer.

# 10. Did you choose B ?
Do you see the three where clauses?
A. Here is where the cold winds blow and the bears hibernate, where a family’s income is double the
national average, and almost everyone lives in a trailer.
B. Here is where the cold winds blow and the bears hibernate, where a family’s income is double the
national average, and where almost everyone lives in a trailer.
C. Here is where the cold winds blow and the bears hibernate, a family’s income is double the national
average, and where almost everyone lives in a trailer.

# 11. Here’s a challenge for you!
• Is this 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.

# 11. See the difference?
• 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 . (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 lacked motivation. (parallel)

• You are now an expert on parallel structure.
• If you pay attention to parallel structure in your writing, it will be more clear, more fluent, and more effective.

• http://english-grammar-review.com/
• Go to: Parallel Construction