Parallel Writing

7/28/2019 Parallel Writing

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Parallel Writing

using similar patterns of words to create

more balanced, readable sentences.

there are three areas in which your writingshould be parallel: Words, phrases,

and clauses.


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Words

Parts of speech: When you are listing several

words or phrases, be sure to use thesame parts of speech. If you start with an -ing

word (in this case, a gerund), continue listing -

ing words:Not Parallel:

Bill enjoyed drinking, smoking, and sleep.

Parallel:

Bill enjoyed drinking, smoking, and sleeping.


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Verb Tense: In addition, changing verb tense

will make your sentence unparallel. If you start

in past tense, stay in past tense:

Not Parallel:

Joe biked, ran, and swims during the triathlon.

Parallel:

Joe biked, ran, and swam during the triathlon.


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Phrases

Phrase Type: Do not mix phrases when you list a series ofideas. If you start with prepositional phrases, continue

using prepositional phrases; if you start with infinitivephrases (to + verb), continue with infinitive phrases. Donot switch to words, other kinds of phrases, or clauses:

Not Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student

because he waited until the last minute to study for the

exam, completed his lab reports in a careless manner, and

his motivation was low.

Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student

because he waited until the last minute to study for the

exam, completed his lab reports in a careless manner, and

lacked motivation.


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With infinitive phrases

Not Parallel: Mary likes to hike, to swim, and

riding a bicycle.

Parallel: Mary likes to hike, to swim, and toride a bicycle.

OR

Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle.


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Clauses

A parallel structure that begins with clauses must

continue using clauses. Changing to another

pattern or changing the voice of the verb (from

active to passive or vice versa) will break the

parallelism.

Not Parallel: The coach told the players that theyshould get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat toomuch, and to do some warm-up exercises before thegame.

Parallel: The coach told the players that they shouldget a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much,and that they should do some warm-up exercisesbefore the game.


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Not Parallel: 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 thatquestions would be asked by prospective buyers. (last

clause is passive)

Parallel: 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 thatprospective buyers would ask him questions. (all

clauses are active)


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Lists after a colon

Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the

same form.

Not Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes:

to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings,and looking up irregular verbs. (last clause is a gerund)

Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to

find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and

irregular verbs. (all clauses are plural nouns)


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if you start with dependent clauses, stay with

dependent clauses:

Not Parallel:

I am only late for work when the cat gets sick on

the carpet, if the dog breaks loose from his leash,

and occasions that I get pulled over by the police.

Parallel:

I am only late for work when the cat gets sick on

the carpet, if the dog breaks loose from his leash,and after the police pull me over for speeding.


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In addition, changing voice (active to passive or

vice versa) will make your sentence unparallel:

Not Parallel:

Joe expected that he would finish the triathlon in

the top ten, break his personal time record,

and that sponsors would be pleased by hisperformance.

Parallel:

Joe expected that he would finish the triathlon inthe top ten, break his personal time record,

and please sponsors with his performance.


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Examples of Parallel Structure ExercisesIdentify and correct the mistakes in parallel structure in the following

sentences.

Alex decided to get up early, go jogging, eat a healthy breakfast andgot ready for school.

I wish he would listen to his father, take his advice, and applied for ajob.

James stopped smoking, drinking and to eat too much.

Jason invited Tim, her, they and Peter to the wedding. He is an articulate, thoughtful, and meaningfully speaker.

Alexander did her homework, cleaned her room, but doesn't playthe piano.

The politicians hope to clean up, and modernizing this city.

Eating healthy food, drinking lots of water and get exerciseimproves your quality of life.

The teachers had graded the tests, completed the reports andmeeting with parents before they went on summer vacation.

Sheila misses seeing Tom, going on long walks with her friends, andplayed football.
http://esl.about.com/od/esleflteachingtechnique/a/l_ecorrect.htmhttp://esl.about.com/od/esleflteachingtechnique/a/l_ecorrect.htm


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The Answers: Alex decided to get up early, go jogging, eat a healthy breakfast

and get ready for school.

I wish he would listen to his father, take his advice, and apply for ajob.

James stopped smoking, drinking and to eating too much.

Jason invited Tim, her, them and Peter to the wedding.

He is an articulate, thoughtful, and meaningful speaker.

Alexander did her homework, cleaned her room, but didn't play thepiano.

The politicians hope to clean up, and modernize this city.

Eating healthy food, drinking lots of water and getting exerciseimproves your quality of life.

The teachers had graded the tests, completed the reportsand met with parents before they went on summer vacation.

Sheila misses seeing Tom, going on long walks with her friends,and playing football.

Parallel Writing

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