8/10/2019 GRAMMAR 07 Parallel Structure
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COM 2600, COM 3210
Grammar (and Style) Review: Parallel Structure(Adapted
fromCollege Writing Skills with Readings, 3rded., by John
Langan)
!rd" in a #air !r a "erie" "$!uld $ave a #arallel "tructure% By
balancing the items in a pair
or a series so that they have the same kind of grammatical
structure, you will make thesentence clearer and easier to read. o
make ideas parallel, similar items should be written insimilar
ways. !or instance, the items in a series should be alike, whether
all nouns, all gerunds,all infinitives, all phrases or all clauses.
" series of verbs should all be in the same tense andvoice.
#otice how the parallel sentences in the following e$amples read
more smoothly than thenonparallel ones%
&'am#le 1:My job includes checking the inventory, initialing
the orders and
to call the suppliers. (NOT PARALLEL)
My job includes checking the inventory, initialing the orders
and
calling the suppliers. (PARALLEL WITH A BALANCED SERIES OF
GERUNDS)
&'am#le 2:The pageant contestant was told to be cheerful,
charming and have
enthusiasm. (NOT PARALLEL)
The pageant contestant was told to be cheerful, charming and
enthusiastic. (PARALLEL WITH A BALANCED SERIES OF
DESCRITPEIVE
WORDS)
&'am#le 3:The politician trusted no one, rewarded loyalty
and was dependentonly on his own instincts. (NOT PARALLEL)
The politician trusted no one, rewarded loyalty and depended
only
on his own instincts. (PARALLEL WITH A BALANCED SERIES OF ed
VERB FORMS)
&'am#le :We painted the trim in the living room; the
wallpaper was put up
by a professional. (NOT PARALLEL)
We painted the trim in the living room; a professional put up
the
wallpaper. (PARALLEL WITH BALANCED VERBS AND WORD ORDER)
Balanced sentences are not a skill you need to worry about when
dratin*articles. But whenyou #r!!read, revi"eand rewritefor the
final version of your work, you should try to putmatching words and
ideas into parallel structures. &oing so will improve your
writing style.
2005 Calvin L. Hall
12/15/14
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8/10/2019 GRAMMAR 07 Parallel Structure
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Complete the e$ercise on the ne$t page.
C'( )*++
&+&RCS&: Revi"in* Sentence" !r Parallel
Structure
'pen (icrosoft Word. ype your #ame, Class and &ate and the
above title. Save thefile on your SB drive
as2600wee-0./OR4S%d!c-i.e.2600wee-0.C5%d!c).
SRCOS. Revise the sentences below, making the necessary changes
tocorrect the faulty parallel structure they contain. "n e$ample is
presented. &4&:M!nday (Oct% 13) in cla""
ExampleChocolate makes me gain weight, lose my appetite and
breaking out in hives.
Chocolate makes me gain weight, lose my appetite and
break outin hives.
. "dam convinced most of the audience because he argued
logically, calmly, andwas reasonable.
). /d0s last 1ob offered security2 a better chance for
advancement is offered by hisnew 1ob.
3. " sale on electrical appliances, furniture for the patio and
stereo systems beginsthis !riday.
. Because the dying woman was dignified and with courage, she
won everyone0srespect.
4. he politician trusted no one, rewarded loyalty and was
dependent only on hisown instincts.
*. o decide on a career, people should think closely about their
interests, hobbiesand what they are skilled at.
5. he keys to maintaining good grades are to take effective
notes in class, to plan
study time and prepare carefully for e$ams.
6. 7n many ways, starting college at 3+ is harder than to start
at 6.
8. While waiting for the e$am to start, small groups of nervous
students glancedover their notes, drank coffee and were whispering
to each other.
+.here are two ways to the top% climb the stairs or taking the
elevator.
12/15/14
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