Parallel Structures
1. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and she has an extremely pleasant personality.
Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and a pleasing personality.
2. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and to appreciate good prose.
In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and she appreciated good prose.
3. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Raoul's QPA is higher than Ralph.
Raoul's QPA is higher than Ralph's.
4. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and to learn about life.
He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and learning about life.
5. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a wise friend.
Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and friend.
6. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
We found the film repulsive, offensive, and we thought it was embarrassing.
We found the film repulsive, offensive, and embarrassing.
7. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Mr. Nguyen kept his store clean, neat, and he made it conveniently arranged.
Mr. Nguyen kept his store clean, neat, and conveniently arranged.
8. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Professor Ali rewarded his students for working hard on the final project and going beyond the call of duty.
Professor Ali rewarded his students for their hard work on the final project and going beyond the call of duty.
9. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
There's nothing I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and spending a couple of days
fishing.
There's nothing I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and to spend a couple of days
fishing.
ANSWER KEY
1. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and she has an extremely pleasant personality.
Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and a pleasing personality.
You're right!
2. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and to appreciate good prose.
In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and she appreciated good prose.
You're right!
3. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Raoul's QPA is higher than Ralph.
Raoul's QPA is higher than Ralph's.
You're right!
4. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and to learn about life.
He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and learning about life.
You're right!
5. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a wise friend.
Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and friend.
You're right!
6. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
We found the film repulsive, offensive, and we thought it was embarrassing.
We found the film repulsive, offensive, and embarrassing.
You're right!
7. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Mr. Nguyen kept his store clean, neat, and he made it conveniently arranged.
Mr. Nguyen kept his store clean, neat, and conveniently arranged.
You're right! For the sake of variety we can add modifiers to a string of otherwise parallel elements.
8. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Professor Ali rewarded his students for working hard on the final project and going beyond the call of duty.
Professor Ali rewarded his students for their hard work on the final project and going beyond the call of duty.
You're right!
9. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
There's nothing I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and spending a couple of days
fishing.
There's nothing I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and to spend a couple of days
fishing.
You're right!
Results: 9 Correct -- 0 Wrong -- 0 Skipped
Directions: The following sentences could be improved with the use of proper parallel constructions. Under each
sentence, a text-area is provided where you can rewrite the sentence. You rewrite the entire sentence
1. Espinoza's style was remarkable for its dexterity, grace, and she could play any position.
Espinoza's style w as remarkable for
2. Raoul's motivation to succeed in this program seems to be greater than his sister.
Raoul's motivation to succeed in this program seems to
be
3. Three of the great Indian nations in the Central Plains are the Cherokee, the Choctaw, and Comanche.
Three of the great Indian nations in the Central Plains are
4. Either you will begin to study now or risk failing the exam.
You w ill
5. The college has space for a new computer lab but not a faculty lounge.
The college has space for
6. Her conditions for signing the contract are, first, the commissioner has to approve the terms; second, that the other
players must sign as well.
Her conditions for signing the contract are,
7. Carlos wasted his first year at college by not studying enough and spending too much time at parties.
Carlos w asted his first year at college
8. We have no doubt about her care and interest in the proposal.
We have no doubt about
9. The students prepared for their exams at home, they spent extra hours with their tutors, they did the necessary
research in the library, and asked questions in their classrooms.
The students prepared
Second Exercise in
Parallelism Answer Key
Directions: The following sentences could be improved with the use of proper
parallel constructions. Under each sentence, a text-area is provided where you can rewrite
the sentence.
1. Espinoza's style was remarkable for its dexterity, grace, and she could play any
position.
Espinoza's style w as remarkable for
Espinoza's style w as remarkable for its dexterity, grace,
and versatility. [Now w e have three nouns, not tw o
nouns and a clause.]
2. Raoul's motivation to succeed in this program seems to be greater than his sister.
Raoul's motivation to succeed in this program seems to
be
Raoul's motivation to succeed in this program seems to
be greater than his sister's. [We have to compare
Raoul's motivation to his sister's motivation, not to his
sister.]
3. Three of the great Indian nations in the Central Plains are the Cherokee, the Choctaw,
and Comanche.
Three of the great Indian nations in the Central Plains are
Three of the great Indian nations in the Central Plains are
the Cherokee, the Choctaw , and the Comanche. [Use
the article "the" consistently for each noun.]
4. Either you will begin to study now or risk failing the exam.
You w ill
You w ill either begin studying now or risk failing the
exam. [Either "this" or "that," not Either _clause_ or
"that."] Another student suggests that "Either begin
studying now or risk failing the exam." is tighter and
carries a greater sense of urgency.
5. The college has space for a new computer lab but not a faculty lounge.
The college has space for
The college has space for a new computer lab but not
for a faculty lounge. [Use the preposition "for"
consistently.]
6. Her conditions for signing the contract are, first, the commissioner has to approve the
terms; second, that the other players must sign as well.
Her conditions for signing the contract are,
Her conditions for signing the contract are, first, that the
commisioner must approve the terms; second, that the
other players must sign as w ell. [Use the "that clause"
construction consistently.] Or [another, better rendering]
Her conditions for signing the contract are, first, that the
commissioner must approve the terms, and second, that
7. Carlos wasted his first year at college by not studying enough and spending too much
time at parties.
Carlos w asted his first year at college
Carlos w asted his first year at college by studying too
little and partying too much.
8. We have no doubt about her care and interest in the proposal.
We have no doubt about
We have no doubt about her care for and interest in the
proposal. [We cannot say "care in," so w e must provide
the proper idiomatic expression, "care for."]
9. The students prepared for their exams at home, they spent extra hours with their tutors,
they did the necessary research in the library, and asked questions in their classrooms.
The students prepared
The students prepared for their exams at home, they
spent extra hours w ith their tutors, they did the
necessary research in the library, and they asked
questions in their classrooms. [they verb, they verb, and
they verb.] OR The students prepared for their exams at
home, spent extra hours w ith their tutors, did the
necessary research in the library, and asked questions
in their classes. [they verb, verb, verb, and verb.]