Parallel Structure Exercises

1. Which of the following sentences is grammatically nonparallel?

A. I have worked in Spain and in Ireland.
B. Yesterday, I had the new pipes and the new air filter installed
C. Susan is smart, diligent, and a hard worker.
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

2. Which of the following sentences is grammatically nonparallel?

A. Higher education is suffering from the twin evils of bureaucracy and politics.
B. Mary is a professor of linguistics but who teaches in an English department.
C. Syntax, morphology, and phonology are the core areas of linguistics.
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

3. Which of the following sentences is grammatically nonparallel?

A. I hope to vacation either in Spain or in Ireland.
B. I hope either to marry the woman of my dreams or the woman of his dreams.
C. Either I will or I won't.
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

4. Which of the following sentences is grammatically nonparallel?

A. Bill not only passed the test but also wrote the best paper in the class.
B. Bill not only talked the talk but also walked the walk.
C. Bill not only helped me with my homework, but he walked my dog while I was on
vacation in Ireland, and I didn't even buy him a tee-shirt. I feel like a complete idiot.
Duh!
D. all of the above
E. none of the above
Parallel Structure Exercises

5. Which of the following sentences is grammatically nonparallel?

A. She bought a Harley and Kawasaki.
B. She bought a Harley and a Kawasaki.
C. The Harley started on alternate weekends; the Kawasaki started every time and
was half the price.
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

6. Which of the following sentences is grammatically nonparallel?

A. I was happy and my parents happy too when I graduated.
B. I was happy and my parents were happy too when I graduated
C. both of the above
D. neither of the above

7. Which of the following sentences is grammatically nonparallel?

A. I always have and will teach summer school.
B. I always have taught and will teach summer school.
C. both of the above
D. neither of the above

8. Which of the following sentences is grammatically nonparallel?

A. I was repulsed but interested in his disgusting story.
B. He is as employable, if not more employable than, an English major.
C. They were interested, but my girlfriend completely uninterested.
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

9. Which of the following sentences is grammatically nonparallel?

A. I have always and always will call my banker once per week.
B. I have always called and always will call my banker once per week.
Parallel Structure Exercises

C. both of the above

D. neither of the above

10. Which of the following sentences is grammatically nonparallel?

A. My banker is a man who has many talents and who will help anyone who asks.
B. My banker is a hero and a saint.
C. My banker is handsome, strong, and sings well.
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

Directions: Improve the following sentences with the use of proper parallel
constructions.

1. Espinoza's style was remarkable for its dexterity, grace, and

she could play any position.
Suggested answer:
Espinoza's style was remarkable for its dexterity, grace, and versatility. [Now
we have three nouns, not two nouns and a clause.]

2. Raoul's motivation to succeed in this program seems to be

greater than his sister.
Answer:
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3. Three of the great Indian nations in the Central Plains are the
Cherokee, the Choctaw, and Comanche.
Answer:
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4. Either you will begin to study now or risk failing the exam.
Answer:
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Parallel Structure Exercises

Answer:
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5. The college has space for a new computer lab but not a faculty
lounge.
Answer:
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6. Her conditions for signing the contract are, first, the
commissioner has to approve the terms; second, that the other
players must sign as well.

Answer:
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7. Carlos wasted his first year at college by not studying enough and spending too
much time at parties.

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

Answer:
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9. 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.

Answer:
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Parallel Structure Exercises