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Parallel Structure

Parallel structure involves using the same grammatical pattern for elements that have equal importance. Some key rules of parallel structure include: 1. Elements joined by conjunctions like "and" or "or" must be grammatically parallel. 2. Clauses or phrases must use consistent grammatical structures if one element begins as a clause. 3. Lists should use the same verb tense or grammatical form for each item. Proper use of parallel structure adds clarity and improves readability. Students should check for parallel structure when proofreading by looking for conjunctions or lists in their writing.

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David Pancratius DeLeon Meneses
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322 views

Parallel Structure

Parallel structure involves using the same grammatical pattern for elements that have equal importance. Some key rules of parallel structure include: 1. Elements joined by conjunctions like "and" or "or" must be grammatically parallel. 2. Clauses or phrases must use consistent grammatical structures if one element begins as a clause. 3. Lists should use the same verb tense or grammatical form for each item. Proper use of parallel structure adds clarity and improves readability. Students should check for parallel structure when proofreading by looking for conjunctions or lists in their writing.

Uploaded by

David Pancratius DeLeon Meneses
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Parallel Structure

Grade 6 English
Definition

Parallel structure is the same pattern


of words to show that two or more
ideas have the same level of
importance.
Rule #1

Parallel structures must be


joined with conjunctions.
Rule #1
Parallel structures Conjunctions:
must be joined with and
conjunctions. or
but
yet
so
Words

Verbs: singing, reading, to hike

Adverbs: gracefully, clearly, really loud


Words
Verbs: singing, reading, to hike
Not parallel

Adverbs: gracefully, clearly, really loud


Not parallel
Words
Verbs: singing, reading, to hike
Not parallel
They have different grammatical
structures
Adverbs: gracefully, clearly, really loud
Not parallel
They have different grammatical
structures
Words
Verbs: singing, reading, to hike hiking

Adverbs: gracefully, clearly, really loud loudly


Words
Verbs: singing, reading, to hike hiking
Parallel √
They now have the same grammatical
structure
Adverbs: gracefully, clearly, really loud loudly
Parallel √
They now have the same grammatical
structure
Use it in a sentence
Katy really likes singing, reading or hiking.

She sings gracefully, clearly and loudly.


Use it in a sentence
Katy really likes singing, reading or hiking.
^
conjunction
She sings gracefully, clearly and loudly.
^
conjunction
Rule #2
A parallel structure
that begins with
clauses must keep the
same clauses.
Rule #2
A parallel structure A clause is a group
that begins with of related words
clauses must keep the containing a
same clauses. subject and a verb.
Clauses
that she may play, that she may make,
to sleep
Clauses
that she may play, that she may make,
to sleep

What is listed above are not all clauses

*Remember, clauses contain a subject


and a verb
Clauses
that she may play, that she may make,
to sleep that she may sleep Correct√

subject
↓
“that she may verb ” is the clause so it
must be used for all of the clauses
Use it in a sentence
When my friend came over to my house, I told her that she
may play volleyball with my brother and I, that she may
make dinner with us, and that she may sleep at my house.
or

When my friend came over to my house, I told her that she may
play volleyball with my brother and I, make dinner with us and,
sleepover my house.

WHICH IS CORRECT?
Use it in a sentence
When my friend came over to my house, I told her that she
may play volleyball with my brother and I, that she may
make dinner with us, and that she may sleep at my house.
or

When my friend came over to my house, I told her that she may
play volleyball with my brother and I, make dinner with us and,
sleepover my house.

BOTH ARE CORRECT


Rule #3
When you are listing
items, use parallel
structure.
Rule #3
When you are listing
When listing
items, use parallel
actions, they
structure. must be in
the same
tense in order
to be
parallel.
Lists

wearing his Batman costume, phone calls that


come from the Commissioner, and saving
Gotham City.
Lists

wearing his Batman costume, phone calls that


come from the Commissioner, and saving
Gotham City.

This phrase isn’t the


same tense as the others
Lists

wearing his Batman costume, answering the


Commissioner's phone calls, and saving
Gotham City.

This phrase isn’t the


same tense as the others
Use it in a sentence
Bruce Wayne enjoys wearing his Batman
costume, answering the Commissioner's
phone calls, and saving Gotham City.

This list is parallel because they are all in


the same tense.
Exercises
First correct these words/clauses/lists and then on your own, create a sentence
using parallel structure.

Words: climbing, to walk, sleeping, eat, turning

Phrases: Lizzie can play, Lizzie likes to flip, Lizzie can clap,
Lizzie can smile

Lists: correct spelling errors, move paragraphs around to


organize an essay, typing an essay
Proofreading Strategies
 Skim your paper, pausing at the words "and" and "or." Check on
each side of these words to see whether the items joined are
parallel. If not, make them parallel.
 If you have several items in a list, put them in a column to see if
they are parallel.
 Listen to the sound of the items in a list or the items being
compared. Do you hear the same kinds of sounds? For example,
is there a series of "-ing" words beginning each item? Or do your
hear a rhythm being repeated? If something is breaking that
rhythm or repetition of sound, check to see if it needs to be
made parallel.
How does this help us?

Parallel structure applies to writing and is


extremely useful because it helps add clarity to
one’s writing. Using parallel structure also
helps increase the readability of one’s writing.
Assignment (will be posted on EDMODO)
 Correct these sentences using
what you know about parallel
structure.

 A farmer spends most of his time  The McDonald's salesman expected


that he would present his new product
tilling the soil, sowing the seeds, and at the next meeting, he would have
feed the cows. enough time to show his PowerPoint
and people who are interested will ask
questions.
 My teacher once said that she
was a terrible student because she
waited until the last minute to do
her work, completed her class work
in a careless manner and her
motivation was low.

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