Name: _______________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________

PARALLELISM
Parallel structure is used to express matching ideas. It refers to the grammatical balance of a series.
Phrase: The squirrel ran along the fence, up the tree, and into his burrow.
Adjectives: The job market is flooded with very talented, highly motivated, and well-educated applicants.
Nouns/Verbs: You will need a notebook, pencil, and dictionary. / The farmer plowed, planted, and harvested.
Clause: The children were told to decide which toy they would keep and which toy they would give away.
Repetition of Structural Signals: I have quit my job, have enrolled in school, and am looking for a babysitter.
Select the option that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
1.

a. Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and she has an extremely pleasant personality.
b. Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and a pleasing personality.

2.

a. In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and to appreciate good prose.
b. In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and she appreciated good prose.

3.

a. He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and to learn about life.
b. He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and learning about life.

4.

a. Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a wise friend.
b. Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and friend.

5.

a. We found the film repulsive, offensive, and we thought it was embarrassing.

b. We found the film repulsive, offensive, and embarrassing.

6.

a. Mr. Nguyen kept his store clean, neat, and he made it conveniently arranged.
b. Mr. Nguyen kept his store clean, neat, and conveniently arranged.

7.

a. I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and spending a couple of days fishing.
b. I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and to spend a couple of days fishing.

8.

a. Learning a new language as an adult is more difficult than to learn one as a child.
b. Learning a new language as an adult is more difficult than to learning one as a child.
c. Learning a new language as an adult is more difficult than learning one as a child.

9.

a. Every morning, I run two miles, walk one mile, and bike half a mile.
b. Every morning, I run two miles, walk one mile, and half a mile on the bike.
c. Every morning, I run two miles, walk one mile, and half a mile.

10. a. There are two ways to get a promotion: working hard or make friends in high places.
b. There are two ways to get a promotion: work hard or make friends in high places.
c. There are two ways to get a promotion: to working hard or make friends in high places.
11. a. Many college students have the same goals: playing hard, doing well in classes, and a job after graduation.
b. Many college students have the same goals: playing hard, doing well in classes, and after graduation, a job.
c. Many college students have the same goals: playing hard, doing well in classes, and finding a job after graduation.
12. a. The man walked down the street, stopped at a shop window, and was fixing his tie.
b. The man walked down the street, stopped at a shop window, and fixed his tie.
c. The man walked down the street, stopped at a shop window, and to fix his tie.
13. a. The chef chopped the parsley, peeled the tomatoes and cut the zucchini into cubes.
b. The chef chopped the parsley, peeled the tomatoes and was cutting the zucchini into cubes
c. The chef chopped the parsley, peeled the tomatoes and cubed the zucchini

14. a. People avoid eye contact with others, whether riding on a bus, strolling through a shopping mall, or waiting in line at a
supermarket
b. People often try to avoid eye contact with others, whether riding on a bus, strolling through a shopping mall, or when
they are in line at a supermarket.
c. People often try to avoid eye contact with others, whether riding on a bus, strolling through a shopping mall, or in a
supermarket line
15. a. When trying to impress a prospective employer, people should pay attention to their clothing, their posture, and that they
dont use too much slang.
b. When trying to impress a prospective employer, people should pay attention to their clothing, their posture, and if they
use too much slang.
c. When trying to impress a prospective employer, people should pay attention to their clothing, their posture, and their
speech.
16. a. Critics argue that the television show trivializes violence, glamorizes drug use and encourages premarital sex
b. Critics argue that the television show trivializes violence, glamorizes drug use and premarital sex.
c. Critics argue that the television show trivializes violence, glamorizes drug use and was encouraging premarital sex
17. a. The bedroom was filled with old newspapers and radios that dont work.
b. The bedroom was filled with old newspapers and radios that are broken
c. The bedroom was filled with old newspapers and broken radios
18. a. Eggs contain not only protein but are also are full of vitamins.
b. Eggs contain not only protein but also vitamins.
c. Eggs contain not only protein but are vitamin-full.
19. a. They are low in sodium but high in calories.
b. They are low in sodium but have many calories.
20. a. Eggs, however, are high in cholesterol and in fat.
b. Eggs, however, are high in cholesterol and rather fat-filled.
21. a. The yolk of one egg contains 213 milligrams of cholesterol and there are 5 grams of fat.
b. The yolk of one egg contains 213 milligrams of cholesterol and 5 grams of fat.
22. a. Still, the whites are both fat-free and have no cholesterol.
b. Still, the whites are both fat-free and cholesterol-free.
23. a. Some people would rather not eat eggs at all than if they can only have egg whites.
b. Some people would rather not eat eggs at all than eat only egg whites.
24. a. Raw eggs should not be eaten by people who are very young, pregnant, elderly, or impaired in their immune system.
b. Raw eggs should not be eaten by people who are very young, pregnant, elderly, or have immune system impairments.
25. a. Keep eggs refrigerated, cook them thoroughly, and you should throw away any cracked one.
b. Keep eggs refrigerated, cook them thoroughly, and throw away any cracked one.
26. a. Generally, it is better to eat eggs moderately than to avoid them entirely.
b. Generally, it is better to eat eggs moderately than avoiding them entirely.
27. a. Espinoza's style was remarkable for its dexterity, grace, and versatility.
b. Espinoza's style was remarkable for its dexterity, its grace, and for its versatility.
28.

a.
b.

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 for their exams at home, they spent extra hours with their tutors, they did the necessary research in the
library, and they asked questions in their classrooms.

29.

a.
b.

We have no doubt about her care and interest in the proposal.

We have no doubt about her care for and interest in the proposal.

30.

a.
b.

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.

Name: _______________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________

PARALLELISM (ANSWER KEY)

Parallel structure is used to express matching ideas. It refers to the grammatical balance of a series.
Phrase: The squirrel ran along the fence, up the tree, and into his burrow.
Adjectives: The job market is flooded with very talented, highly motivated, and well-educated applicants.
Nouns/Verbs: You will need a notebook, pencil, and dictionary. / The farmer plowed, planted, and harvested.
Clause: The children were told to decide which toy they would keep and which toy they would give away.
Repetition of Structural Signals: I have quit my job, have enrolled in school, and am looking for a babysitter.
Select the option that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
1.

a. Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and she has an extremely pleasant personality.
b. Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and a pleasing personality.

2.

a. In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and to appreciate good prose.
b. In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and she appreciated good prose.

3.

a. He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and to learn about life.
b. He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and learning about life.

4.

a. Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a wise friend.
b. Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and friend.

5.

a. We found the film repulsive, offensive, and we thought it was embarrassing.

b. We found the film repulsive, offensive, and embarrassing.

6.

a. Mr. Nguyen kept his store clean, neat, and he made it conveniently arranged.
b. Mr. Nguyen kept his store clean, neat, and conveniently arranged.

7.

a. I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and spending a couple of days fishing.
b. I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and to spend a couple of days fishing.

8.

a. Learning a new language as an adult is more difficult than to learn one as a child.
b. Learning a new language as an adult is more difficult than to learning one as a child.
c. Learning a new language as an adult is more difficult than learning one as a child.

9.

a. Every morning, I run two miles, walk one mile, and bike half a mile.
b. Every morning, I run two miles, walk one mile, and half a mile on the bike.
c. Every morning, I run two miles, walk one mile, and half a mile.

10. a. There are two ways to get a promotion: working hard or make friends in high places.
b. There are two ways to get a promotion: work hard or make friends in high places.
c. There are two ways to get a promotion: to working hard or make friends in high places.
11. a. Many college students have the same goals: playing hard, doing well in classes, and a job after graduation.
b. Many college students have the same goals: playing hard, doing well in classes, and after graduation, a job.
c. Many college students have the same goals: playing hard, doing well in classes, and finding a job after graduation.
12. a. The man walked down the street, stopped at a shop window, and was fixing his tie.
b. The man walked down the street, stopped at a shop window, and fixed his tie.
c. The man walked down the street, stopped at a shop window, and to fix his tie.
13. a. The chef chopped the parsley, peeled the tomatoes and cut the zucchini into cubes.
b. The chef chopped the parsley, peeled the tomatoes and was cutting the zucchini into cubes
c. The chef chopped the parsley, peeled the tomatoes and cubed the zucchini

14. a. People avoid eye contact with others, whether riding on a bus, strolling through a shopping mall, or waiting in line
at a supermarket
b. People often try to avoid eye contact with others, whether riding on a bus, strolling through a shopping mall, or when
they are in line at a supermarket.
c. People often try to avoid eye contact with others, whether riding on a bus, strolling through a shopping mall, or in a
supermarket line
15. a. When trying to impress a prospective employer, people should pay attention to their clothing, their posture, and that they
dont use too much slang.
b. When trying to impress a prospective employer, people should pay attention to their clothing, their posture, and if they
use too much slang.
c. When trying to impress a prospective employer, people should pay attention to their clothing, their posture, and
their speech.
16. a. Critics argue that the television show trivializes violence, glamorizes drug use and encourages premarital sex
b. Critics argue that the television show trivializes violence, glamorizes drug use and premarital sex.
c. Critics argue that the television show trivializes violence, glamorizes drug use and was encouraging premarital sex
17. a. The bedroom was filled with old newspapers and radios that dont work.
b. The bedroom was filled with old newspapers and radios that are broken
c. The bedroom was filled with old newspapers and broken radios
18. a. Eggs contain not only protein but are also are full of vitamins.
b. Eggs contain not only protein but also vitamins.
c. Eggs contain not only protein but are vitamin-full.
19. a. They are low in sodium but high in calories.
b. They are low in sodium but have many calories.
20. a. Eggs, however, are high in cholesterol and in fat.
b. Eggs, however, are high in cholesterol and rather fat-filled.
21. a. The yolk of one egg contains 213 milligrams of cholesterol and there are 5 grams of fat.
b. The yolk of one egg contains 213 milligrams of cholesterol and 5 grams of fat.
22. a. Still, the whites are both fat-free and have no cholesterol.
b. Still, the whites are both fat-free and cholesterol-free.
23. a. Some people would rather not eat eggs at all than if they can only have egg whites.
b. Some people would rather not eat eggs at all than eat only egg whites.
24. a. Raw eggs should not be eaten by people who are very young, pregnant, elderly, or impaired in their immune system.
b. Raw eggs should not be eaten by people who are very young, pregnant, elderly, or have immune system impairments.
25. a. Keep eggs refrigerated, cook them thoroughly, and you should throw away any cracked one.
b. Keep eggs refrigerated, cook them thoroughly, and throw away any cracked one.
26. a. Generally, it is better to eat eggs moderately than to avoid them entirely.
b. Generally, it is better to eat eggs moderately than avoiding them entirely.
27. a. Espinoza's style was remarkable for its dexterity, grace, and versatility.
b. Espinoza's style was remarkable for its dexterity, its grace, and for its versatility.
28.

a.
b.

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 for their exams at home, they spent extra hours with their tutors, they did the necessary
research in the library, and they asked questions in their classrooms.

29.

a.
b.

We have no doubt about her care and interest in the proposal.

We have no doubt about her care for and interest in the proposal.

30.

a.
b.

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.