PROBLEMS WITH PARALLEL STRUCTURE

1. To read literature and being introduced to a different culture are two excellent reasons for studying
A B C D
a foreign language.
2. The proposed increase in the utility rate was neither a fair request and not a practical one.
A B C D
3. Tom is the best candidate for the position because he understands the project, knows the University,
A B
and who works very hard.
C D
4. Ice skating and to go skiing are popular winter sports in the Northern United States.
A B C D
5. The surgeon examined the patient quickly, and then the operation was begun.
A B C D
6. Because we were not sure where the house was, and because of the time, we decided to ask for
A B C
directions.
D
7. To treat minor diarrhea, drink plenty of liquids, especially tea, water, and carbonated beverages, eat
A B
soup, yogurt, salty crackers, and bananas, and avoiding milk, butter, eggs, and meat for twenty-four
C D
hours.

8. The new electric typewriters are equipped not only with an element for foreign languages but also a key
A B
for correcting errors automatically.
C D
9. The examiner did not know whether to report the student for cheating or warning him first.
A B C D
10. Jim had spent his vacation traveling in Arizona, visiting some of the Indian reservations, and had
A B C
finished several painting that he had begun last year.
D
11. The Smithsonian Institute is famous because it contains such interesting exhibits at the flag that

was raised over Fort McHenry in 1812, the airplane that the Wright brothers built for their first flight at
A B C
Kitty Hawk, and there are the gowns worn by every first lady since Martha Washington.
D
12. Please send me the smallest, most recently published, and less expensive dictionary that you have
A B C
available.
D
13. In order to become a law, a bill must be passed not only by the Senate but also the House of
A B C D
Representatives.
14. The cloverleaf is a common engineering design for expressways that permits traffic between two
A B
intersecting highways to move more safely, efficiently, and with ease.
C D
15. A new product should be judged not by the promises made in commercials and advertisements, but also
A B C
by the results demonstrated in actual use.
D

Problems with parallel structure

1. The committee decided to cancel its law suit, to approve the contract, and that it would adjourn the
meeting.
2. Air travel is fast, safe, and it is convenient.
3. Rock music is not only popular in the United States but also abroad.
4. Every day the watchman would lock the doors, turning on the spot lights, and walk around the building.
5. To control quality and making decisions about production are among the many responsibilities of an
industrial engineer.
6. I suggest that the instructor react to the situation by changing the textbook instead of to modify the
objectives of the course.
7. Dr. Johnson, the first woman elected president of the University, was intelligent, capable, and awareness
of the problems to be solved.
8. The insurance program used to include not only employees but their families.
9. The six main parts of a business letter are the address, the inside address, the salutation, the body, the
closing, and signing your name.
10. We solved the problem by using a computer rather than to do it all by hand.
1. The puppy stood up slowly, wagged its tail, blinking its eyes, and barked.
2. Ecologists are trying to preserve our environment for future generations by protecting the ozone layer,
purifying the air, and have replanted the trees that have been cut down.
3. The chief of police demanded from his assistants an orderly investigation, a well-written report, and that
they work hard.
4. Maria is a scholar, an athlete, and artistic.
5. Slowly and with care, the museum director removed the Ming vase from the shelf and placed it on the
display pedestal.
6. The farmer plows the fields, plants the seeds, and will harvest the crop.
7. Abraham Lincoln was a good president and was self-educated, hard working, and always told the truth.
8. Children love playing in the mud, running through puddles, and they get very dirty.
9. Collecting stamps, playing chess, and to mount beautiful butterflies are Derrick’s hobbies.
10. Despite America’s affluence, many people are without jobs, on welfare, and have a lot of debts.