Parallel Structure balance and consistency in the wording

Parallel Structure -balance and consistency in the wording of a sentence

Jennifer is smart, beautiful, and loves everyone. Jennifer is smart, beautiful, and caring. adjective----adjective

Andy’s day is so long that he gets up at 6: 00 A. M. , leaves for work at 6: 30 A. M. , eats dinner at 11: 30 P. M. , and goes to bed at 2: 00 A. M. present tense verb---present tense verb

Bob was not only Sam’s roommate but also his best friend. possessive noun and noun----possessive pronoun and noun

If you go to the store, please remember to pick up your prescription, to buy some shampoo, and to look for a notebook. infinitive phrase----infinitive phrase

I spend two hours with Ms. Smith reviewing my job performance, evaluating my goals, and discussing my goals within the company. gerund----gerund

Mr. Brown’s lecture was inaccurate, boring, and unnecessary. adjective----adjective

Most people play golf for pleasure, for exercise, and for social contacts. prepositional phrase---prepositional phrase

The most dangerous forms of transportation are bicycles, cars, and motorcycles. noun----noun

Many people share the same three fears: making speeches, being in high places, and working with numbers. gerund----gerund

At the body shop, the car was sanded to the bare metal, painted with primer, and sprayed with blue enamel. Past tense verb---past tense verb

Three sentence patterns that require parallel structure: 1. Lists *check for parallel structure in sentences in which things are listed 2. Conjunctions *check for parallel structure in sentences in which conjunctions are used 3. Comparisons *check for parallel structure in sentences in which things are compared

*Review notes *Complete parallel practice and revise the following sentences.

It is easier to tell the truth than lying to people you love. For her birthday, Marsha received a cake, some clothes, and she got a new computer.

Jim wanted to scare us by telling us a ghost story and he showed us a horror movie. The witness described the suspect as tall, light-skinned, and with a beard.

Spending the day with you is better than if we were apart. Brian disliked not only playing baseball but also to run long distances.

The new house has a large porch, an eat-in kitchen, and the floors are carpeted. This plan is creative but a risk.

I want neither your sympathy nor do I want your pity. Managing your money well is smarter than to spend money carelessly.

HOORAY!!! Now you know how to identify parallel structure and how to revise errors.