Parallel Structures

1
Parallel Structures

• Use balance to connect two ideas
• At the same level of importance.

2
How do writers connect ideas?

• Writers connect ideas using a variety of devices
• Directly or indirectly repeating key words.
• Using synonyms to vary the surface signals.
• Numbering items in a list.
• Including transition words.
• Using parallel word, phrase, or clause structures.

3
What are parallel structures?

• Parallel structure means repeating the same
  pattern of words to show that two or more ideas
  have the same level of importance.
• Parallel structures make writing easier to read
  and understand.
• The usual way to join parallel structures is with
  the coordinating conjunctions "and" or "or."

Is there a time shift here?
Have you learned parallels?
4
How do we use parallel forms?

• To maintain proper balance, parallel structure
  repeats the ing form
• Amber likes hiking, swimming, and cycling.
• Parallel structure also repeats to phrases
• Amber likes to hike, to swim, and to ride cycles.
  or
• Amber likes to hike, swim, and ride cycles.

5
What are parallel form errors?

• Parallel errors mismatch and imbalance the
  phrases, disrupting the flow of thought.
• Which single sentence uses correct parallel form?
• __1. Amber likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a
  bicycle.
• __2. Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a
  bicycle.

Is there a disruption here?
6
Here is the correct parallel form

• Parallel errors mismatch and imbalance the
  phrases, disrupting the flow of thought.
• The second sentence maintains the parallel form
  of the phrase
• __1. Amber likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a
  bicycle.
• _x 2. Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a
  bicycle.

7
Can you find the correct parallel?

• Which alternate uses correct parallel form?
• __1. The production manager was asked to write
  his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed
  manner.
• __2. The production manager was asked to write
  his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.

Is there a problem here?
8
You can find the correct parallel

• This alternate uses correct parallel form
• __1. The production manager was asked to write
  his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed
  manner.
• _X 2. The production manager was asked to write
  his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.

Is there a problem here?
9
Can you find the correct parallel?

• Which alternate uses correct parallel form?
• __1. Eddie waited too long to study for major
  exams, completed lab problems in a careless
  manner, and lacked motivation.
• __2. Eddie waited too long to study for major
  exams, completed lab problems in a careless
  manner, and his motivation was low.

10
You can find the correct parallel

• This alternate uses correct parallel form
• X_1. Eddie waited too long to study for major
  exams, completed lab problems in a careless
  manner, and lacked motivation.
• __2. Eddie waited too long to study for major
  exams, completed lab problems in a careless
  manner, and his motivation was low.

11
What about parallel clauses?

• 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) breaks the parallel.
• Ex. Angie knows that her mother is home and that
  her father isnt there.

12
Can you find the correct parallel?

• Which one is parallel?
• __1. 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.
• __2. 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.

13
You can find the correct parallel

• This alternate uses correct parallel form
• X_1. 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.
• __2. 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.

14
Can you find the correct parallel?

• Which one is parallel?
• __1. 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.
• __2. 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.

15
You can find the correct parallel

• This one is parallel
• __1. 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.
• X_2. 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.

16
Are lists also kept in parallel form?

• In lists after a colon, keep all the parts in the
  same form.
• Wrong The dictionary can be used for these
  purposes to find word meanings, pronunciations,
  correct spellings, and looking up irregular
  verbs.
• Right The dictionary can be used for these
  purposes to find word meanings, pronunciations,
  correct spellings, and irregular verbs.

17
Can you use correct parallel form?

• Which single alternate is in parallel form?
• __1. Jon is handsome, brave, and the sort of
  person who would do anything for you.
• __2. Declaring sustainability as a goal is one
  thing putting it into operation has been an
  elusive goal.
• __3. You are responsible not only for organizing
  the conference but also for introducing the
  keynote speaker.

18
You can use correct parallel form

• This single alternate is in parallel form
• __1. Jon is handsome, brave, and the sort of
  person who would do anything for you.
• __2. Declaring sustainability as a goal is one
  thing putting it into operation has been an
  elusive goal.
• X_3. You are responsible not only for organizing
  the conference but also for introducing the
  keynote speaker.

19
Can you find the correct parallel?

• Which one is parallel?
• __1. The room was beautiful, the service
  impeccable, and I've never tasted better food in
  my entire life.
• __2. She was a healthy young woman, a wealthy
  person, and a regular reader of my column.
• __3. The Budget Information System is a query
  system, the database is small, and we need to
  recognize the fact that the response time is
  overly long.

20
You can find the correct parallel

• This one is parallel
• __1. The room was beautiful, the service
  impeccable, and I've never tasted better food in
  my entire life.
• X_2. She was a healthy young woman, a wealthy
  person, and a regular reader of my column.
• __3. The Budget Information System is a query
  system, the database is small, and we need to
  recognize the fact that the response time is
  overly long.

21
Can you use correct parallel form?

• Which single alternate is in parallel form?
• __1. Henry liked to drink red wine, eat fried
  fish, and orange juice
• __2. Henry liked red wine, eating fried fish, and
  drinking orange juice
• __3. Henry liked red wine, fried fish, and orange
  juice
• __4. Henry liked to drink red wine, fried fish,
  and orange juice

22
You can use correct parallel form

• This single alternate is in parallel form
• __1. Henry liked to drink red wine, eat fried
  fish, and orange juice
• __2. Henry liked red wine, eating fried fish, and
  drinking orange juice
• X_3. Henry liked red wine, fried fish, and orange
  juice
• __4. Henry liked to drink red wine, fried fish,
  and orange juice

23
Can you find the correct parallel?

• Which one is parallel?
• __1. The doctor will be available for
  consultation Monday, Thursday or on Sunday
• __2. The doctor will be available for
  consultation on Monday, Thursday or Sunday
• __3. The doctor will be available for
  consultation on Monday, on Thursday on Sunday

24
You can find the correct parallel

• This one is parallel
• __1. The doctor will be available for
  consultation Monday, Thursday or on Sunday
• X_2. The doctor will be available for
  consultation on Monday, Thursday or Sunday
• __3. The doctor will be available for
  consultation on Monday, on Thursday on Sunday

25
Can you use correct parallel form?

• Which parallels compares better?
• __1. Joan does not like Chucky as much as she
  seemed to like Richie.
• __2. Joan does not like Chucky as much as she
  likes Richie.
• __3. Joan does not like Chucky as much as she
  liked Richie.

26
You can use correct parallel form

• Take care with the verb form to create smooth
  parallels
• __1. Joan does not like Chucky as much as she
  seemed to like Richie.
• X_2. Joan does not like Chucky as much as she
  likes Richie.
• __3. Joan does not like Chucky as much as she
  liked Richie.

27
Can you use correct parallel form?

• Also keep the little function words straight for
  better parallels
• __1. Walters often writes about the Indian
  immigrant experience and Parsi community.
• __2. Walters often writes about the Indian
  immigrant experience and the Parsi community.
• __3. Walters often writes about the Indian
  immigrant experience and this Parsi community.

28
Can you use correct parallel form?

• Also keep the little function words straight for
  better parallels
• __1. Walters often writes about the Indian
  immigrant experience and Parsi community.
• x_2. Walters often writes about the Indian
  immigrant experience and the Parsi community.
• __3. Walters often writes about the Indian
  immigrant experience and this Parsi community.

29
Editing tips for parallel form

• On your paper, pause 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.