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Using Parallel Structure

The document discusses the importance of parallel structure in writing. Parallel structure, or balance, means expressing a series of ideas in a similar grammatical form, such as using all adjectives, phrases, or clauses. The document provides examples of sentences that do and do not use parallel structure effectively. It then provides a drill with sentences for the reader to identify whether they have parallel structure or to revise them to create parallel structure.

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Phoebe Kay P Dellosa
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297 views2 pages

Using Parallel Structure

The document discusses the importance of parallel structure in writing. Parallel structure, or balance, means expressing a series of ideas in a similar grammatical form, such as using all adjectives, phrases, or clauses. The document provides examples of sentences that do and do not use parallel structure effectively. It then provides a drill with sentences for the reader to identify whether they have parallel structure or to revise them to create parallel structure.

Uploaded by

Phoebe Kay P Dellosa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

USING PARALLEL STRUCTURE

When you join several equal or related ideas in a sentence, it is important that you
express these ideas in a similar way. You can do this by balancing the structure of
your sentence parts. For example, you should balance an adjective with an
adjective, a phrase with a phrase, and a clause with a clause. This kind of balance in
writing is called parallel structure.
NOT PARALLEL
He learned three things: shooting, passing, and hoe to dribble.
[two gerunds and a phrase]
PARALLELHe learned three things: shooting, passing, and dribbling. [three
gerunds]
NOT PARALLEL
A good coach must learn to communicate with players, to
organize a schedule, and adversity. [two phrases and a noun]
PARALLEL A good coach must learn to communicate with players, to
organize a schedule, and to handle adversity. [three phrases]
NOT PARALLEL
My sister decided that she would study coaching techniques and
to work with the youth basketball league. [a clause and a phrase]
PARALLEL My sister decided that she would study coaching techniques and
that she would work with the youth basketball league. [two
clauses]
DRILL. Revising Sentences to Create Parallelism
Some of the following sentences are out of balance. Bring balance to them by using
parallel structure. You may have to delete or add some words. If a sentence is
already correct, write C.
1. Athens, the capital of Greece, is known for its ancient ruins, busy lifestyle, and
enjoying fine Greek food.
2. Because it is nearly three thousand years old and its rich history, Athens attracts
many visitors.
3. Athens attracts artists and historians and is attractive to tourists.
4. People often drive very fast in Athens and scare the pedestrians.
5. I like seeing the sights in Athens to learn about its history.
6. Learn, see, and doing something every day is a prescription for happiness.
7. Concealed knowledge is bury treasure.
8. Our happiness does not consist in things, but in thinking.
9. There is more pleasure in loving than to be in love.
10. Criticism can elevate rather than annihilate, build up rather than tear down, and
it is enhancing rather than diminishing.
11. Do not be afraid to take a stand or letting people know that you have taken a
stand.
12. We make a living by what we get, but we are making a life by what we are
giving.

13. Companies are transforming the way they build their stores, how to light them,
and the way they ventilate them.

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