Parallel Structure
A. In the following pairs, one sentence has parallel structure, and the other sentence lacks parallel
structure. Mark the CORRECT sentence.
1. A____ Jennifer is smart, beautiful, and loves everyone.
B__X__ Jennifer is smart, beautiful, and caring.
2. A____ Andy’s day is so long that he gets up at 6:00 a.m., leaves for work at 6:30 a.m., is eating dinner at 11:00
p.m., and goes to bed at 2:00 a.m.
B__X__ 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 11:00
p.m., and goes to bed at 2:00 a.m.
3. A____ Bob was not only Sam’s roommate, but also he was his best friend.
B__X__ Bob was not only Sam’s roommate but also his best friend.
4. A____ If you go to the store, please remember to pick up your prescription, buy some shampoo, and to look for a
notebook.
B__X__ If you go to the store, please remember to pick up your prescription, to buy some shampoo, and to look
for a notebook.
5. A__X__ I spent two hours with Ms. Smith, reviewing my job performance, evaluating my goals, and discussing
my future with the company.
B____ I spent two hours with Ms. Smith, reviewing my job performance, evaluating my goals, and my future
with the company was also discussed.
6. A__X___ Mr. Brown’s lecture was inaccurate, boring, and unnecessary.
B_____ Mr. Brown’s lecture was inaccurate, boring, and should have been omitted.
7. A__X___ Most people play golf for pleasure, for exercise, and for social contacts.
B_____ Most people play golf for pleasure, for exercise, and so they can meet people.
8. A____ The most dangerous forms of transportation are bicycles, cars, and riding a motorcycle.
B__X__ The most dangerous forms of transportation are bicycles, cars, and motorcycles.
9. A____ Many people share the same three fears: making speeches, being in high places, and numbers.
B__X__ Many people share the same three fears: making speeches, being in high places, and working with
numbers.
Parallel Structure Practice B
B. Revise and Rewrite these awkward sentences to create Parallel Structure. You can reword the
sentences or even take words out to make them parallel.
1. The report was well-researched, concise, and it was also of great relevance to today’s world.
The report was well-researched, concise, and relevant to today’s world.
2. The researchers conducted studies, drew conclusions, conducted a peer review, and then a report of the
results was written for the public.
The researchers conducted studies, drew conclusions, conducted a peer review, and then a reported the
results to the public.
3. The legislative committee decided to review the research and also decided on inviting testimony from
experts.
The legislative committee decided to review the research and to invite testimony from experts.
4. Informing himself about the issue seemed just as important as to vote on it.
Informing himself about the issue seemed just as important as voting on it.
5. Now that the issues are on the table, the best approach is not to antagonize the opposition but getting
everyone to considering all the evidence.
Now that the issues are on the table, the best approach is not to antagonize the opposition but to get
everyone to consider all the evidence.
6. When my classmate read the draft of my essay, she thought my supporting evidence was strong, but she
also thought that my weakness was my introduction.
When my classmate read the draft of my essay, she thought my supporting evidence was strong, but also
my weakness was my introduction.
7. As he worked on his essay, the student was thorough, hard-working, and thought about the issues.
As he was working on his essay, the student was thorough, hardworking, and thoughtful.
8. She needed to know what the problem was, how to find information on it, and determining if the sources
were reliable. Some students enjoyed researching and reading more than the write-up.
She needed to know what the problem was, how to find information on it, and to determine if the
sources were reliable. Some students enjoyed researching and reading more than the write-up.
9. Even though writing the essay was challenging for many students, they felt a sense of satisfaction and
more self-confident when they had finished.
Even though writing the essay was a challenging for many students, they felt a sense of satisfaction and
more self-confidence when they finished.
10. “She likes reading the latest novels and to listen to music.”
“She likes reading the latest novels and listening to music.”
11. “You will either listen to your father, or negative results will occur.
Either you listen to your father, or negative results will occur.
