We make words or phrases parallel when we are writing things in a list or series, and each word must have the same grammatical form. Grammar, vocabulary, reading, listening and much more. In the exercise that follows, you will need to determine whether or not sentences have parallel structure. My grandfathers favorite pastime is to eat in trendy restaurants and visiting art. Created by the evergreen writing center library 3407. In the incorrect version of the sentences, the verb forms are varied. This means that ideas in a sentence or paragraph that are similar should be expressed in. Parallel structure examples grammar newsletter english. It emphasizes on the same level of importance of multiple ideas or information given in the same sentence.
The last element in the series is connected to the others with one of these coordinating conjunctions. Some of the most common and preferable occasion to use a parallel word structure are as follows. Parallel structure worksheet teachers pay teachers. Choose the sentence that has no errors in structure. Thethe with comparative adjectives english grammar.
In grammar, parallelism, also known as parallel structure or parallel construction, is a balance within one or more sentences of similar phrases or clauses that have the same grammatical structure. Parallel structure printable handout with six practice sentences. Parallel structure means using the same construction for sentence elements that are the same in function. Information about parallel structure can be found in 3200frames 15881647. If you are listing verbs after the main verb, keep the verbs in the same form. In addition, similar constructions should follow each of a pair. The application of parallelism affects readability and may make texts easier to process. Writers use parallel structures to communicate ideas that have the same importance using the same grammatical structure. Two or more ideas that are logically related should be expressed in grammatically similar constructions. Parallel structure is an important element of proper writing. Otherwise, your readers may be confused by the faulty parallelism. When two or more parts of a sentence are parallel in meaning such as items in a series or words linked by correlative conjunctions, you should coordinate those parts by making them parallel in form.
Mixing prepositions improperly in a parallel structure is a common writing mistake. Resources and materials for esl teachers including free esl handouts and quizzes, pdf lesson plans, teacher articles and a directory of teaching and reference resources. Use parallel structure with elements in lists or in a series. Practice in correcting errors in parallel structure. To maintain parallelism, you must list items with equal grammatical structure. Parallel structure is a fairly advanced grammar concept. But remember, parallel structure usually happens within just one clause.
Mike likes to listen to rock music and reading mystery novels. When delores realized that her father had made lima beans and rice for dinner, she. The investment firm must choose to either disclose its clients to the sec or to immediately return the funds to those clients. Welcome to esl printables, the website where english language teachers exchange resources. If there are two or more numbers of information in a sentence. Parallel structure worksheet is suitable for 6th 8th grade. But examples of good and bad parallel structure can be surprisingly obvious. Parallel structure is less a consideration of grammar, its really more about style, right. Parallel structure is when you balance the grammatical structures of words, clauses, sentences, or phrases in your writing. Grammarquizzes connectors coordinators parallel wording. Two exercises give kids practice identifying the correct parallel structure and crafting parallel structures in sentences. This worksheet was designed to help you better understand the importance of parallel structure. Though well study parallel construction in the ebook developing a powerful writing style, i must introduce the. Parallel structure refers to same word pattern within a sentence by repeating a chosen grammatical form.
Parallel structure esl worksheet by nasreddine sarsar. In other words, if the gerund form ing form of a verb is used after one verb, all the listed verbs also take the gerund form. Parallel structures select the word or words that correctly complete the sentence. Often, it may look like a sentence breaks parallel structure, with one grammar form at the beginning of a sentence, and another at the end. Rewrite each of the following sentences, correcting any. By convention, items in a series appear in parallel grammatical form. My grandfathers favorite pastime is to eat in trendy restaurants and visiting art galleries. Correct any errors in parallel structure in the following sentences. The english learning lounge free apps on both apple and android. When you use parallel structure, you increase the readability of your writing by creating word patterns readers can follow easily.
To get some practice, decide whether the structures below are parallel or not. Parallel word structure is preferred to be used whenever there is coordinating conjunction in a statement connecting two or more phrases or clauses. But you need to make sure that those structures are parallel. Understanding parallel structure in english can help your toefl score. This is a very special episode because its paiges last video with us as. Below are three rules to consider when checking for parallel structure in. Our collection is growing every day with the help of many teachers. Choose the option that maintains parallel structure in the sentence. If a writer allows multiple phrases to share a preposition and then introduces a different preposition with another element, the result is a clumsy sentence. A short form of this structure is used in the expressions the more the merrier and the better.
Check your answers with the interactive version of the exercise. However, many native speakers and esl learners are left wondering what parallel. I like running, singing, and to read in the parallel structure, all of the objects of like are gerunds, ing verbs acting as nouns. Maintaining parallel structure this interactive exercise is designed for middle school and high school students. Students will learn what parallel structure is, why it is important, and how to recognize problems in their own. Note that in this structure, the means by that much. Parallel structure exercises penn state law university. Parallel structure to make the ideas in your sentences clear and understandable, you need to make your sentence structures grammatically balanced i. This video is on parallel structure, or parallelism, in the english language. A series is a group of three or more elements in a row. In both cases, there is a mistake in parallel structure. Combinations and patterns of words should all agree with the subject. Its when you have items in a list, whether theyre items or adjectives or verbs, whatever they are, they have to be parallel which means the same in tense and in form.
Words, phrases and clauses should all be parallel when linked together in a series or connected with coordinating conjunctions. Parallelism, parallel structure parallel structure explanation and examples of parallelism. Parallel structure task cards and worksheets can be used by secondary students independently or with classmates. Check your understanding of parallel structure in writing with an interactive quiz and printable worksheet. If your writing seems wordy and unclear, then have we got a movie for you. Parallel structure refers to the same structure repeating throughout a sentence. Julia is in charge of stocking the shelves, writing orders, and to sell computers. Created by the evergreen writing center library 3407 8676420 parallel structure parallel structure adds both clout and clarity to your writing. Lincolns gettysburg address this presentation highlights parallel structures in the speech. In this esl grammar lesson, students view powerpoints, listen to. Introduction to parallel structure in english magoosh.
Rule of parallel structure this article is about rule of parallel structure enjoy your reading. Also provides access to questions from students and teaching forum topics. This complete, noprep lesson on parallel structure and extra practice activities will help give them the tools they need to identify and correct sentences that are not parallel. This is this example of a sentence thats in parallel structure. In the nonparallel structure, there are two gerunds acting as nouns and one infinitive to read, which makes the sentence awkward and harder to process.
So now were talking parallel structure and parallel structure is just what it sounds like. Help your young writers improve the clarity of their sentences by showing them how to create parallel structures as they construct sentences. The plaintiff was wasting the courts time and prejudiced my client. In english grammar, parallel structure involves two or more words, phrases, or clauses that are similar in length and grammatical form. Parallel structure in english refers to the use of similar grammar constructions within a sentence or clause. Youll learn the definition of parallel structure, and all the key rules, from making sure that the parts of speech in each list are the same, to. Notice how the verb forms in the correct version of the two sentences use the same verb form. In this brainpop topic, tim and moby explain how parallel structure can help you write sentences that are tight and lucid. Parallel structure isnt a set rule, but more of a stylistic choice. Each of the 20 task cards has two sentences 40 total items for practice that need to be corrected to have parallel structure. If you want to download you have to send your own contributions. Parallel structure basically means that when youre making some kind of list in a sentence, if youre using a series of verbs or if youre using a series of nouns, any series of words, they should all roughly line up with one another. Advanced parallel structure in english magoosh toefl blog.
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