WELCOME
GRADE 10 ENGLISH A
with Miss Dhanrajh
Wed 4th Sept 2024
PARALLEL STRUCTURES
OBJECTIVES
• Explain the concept of parallel
structures.
• Discuss examples on the usage and
importance of parallel structures in
writing.
• Rewrite sentences with incorrect
parallel structures.
Which sentence from each pair below
provides more clarity for a reader?
PAIR 1
a) We debated the difference between the weather in New
Jersey in the winter and how hot it is in the summer.
b) We debated the difference between the weather in New
Jersey in the winter and the weather in New Jersey in
the summer.
PAIR 2
a) The films were enjoyable both to watch and for
discussing.
b) The films were enjoyable both to watch and to discuss.
Parallel Structures/ Parallelism
• Parallel structure, or parallelism, means using the same
pattern of words to show that two or more words or ideas
are of equal importance.
• Words and phrases should not only match in structure, but
also in tense.
Parallel Structures/ Parallelism
• Writers use parallel structure to add clarity to their
writing and to make it easier to understand.
• It also adds value to a writer's overall composition and
shows that their writing is structurally and grammatically
correct.
EXAMPLES OF PARALLELISM
Between" and "And"
"
• Incorrect: We debated the difference between the weather in New
Jersey in the winter and how hot it is in the summer.
• Correct: We debated the difference between the weather in New
Jersey in the winter and the weather in New Jersey in the
summer.
EXAMPLES OF PARALLELISM
“Both" and "And"
• Incorrect: The films were enjoyable both to watch and for
discussing.
• Correct: The films were enjoyable both to watch and to discuss.
EXAMPLES OF PARALLELISM
"Neither" and "Nor"; "Either" and "Or"
• Incorrect: Neither the responses to the questionnaire nor what
we asked on the survey were answered.
• Correct: Neither the responses to the questionnaire nor the
responses to the survey were answered.
Parallel Structure & Coordinating Conjunctions
Parallel structure should be used when you connect clauses with a
coordinating conjunction such as: for, and, nor, or, but, so, or yet.
Some examples of this include:
• Correct: Every morning, we make our bed, eat breakfast and feed the
dog.
• Incorrect: Every morning, we make our bed, eating breakfast and feed
the dog.
• Correct: I will not sing a song, nor will I dance.
• Incorrect: I will not sing a song, nor dance.
Parallel Structure & Correlative Conjunctions
In addition to coordinating conjunctions, parallel structure is also used with
correlative conjunctions such as: either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also.
Some examples of this use include:
Correct: They argued not only about the article, but also about the review.
Incorrect: They argued not only about the article, but they argued also
about the review.
Correct: Either she likes to see him or she doesn't like to see him.
Incorrect: Either she likes to see him or doesn't like seeing him.
PRACTICE ACTIVITY (WORKED IN CLASS)
Instructions: Each sentence below contains faulty parallelism with coordinate conjunctions.
Revise each sentence so that the elements joined by the coordinate conjunction are parallel to
one another.
1. What I said or my actions upset everyone in the room.
Answer A: My words or my actions upset everyone in the room.
Answer B: What I said or what I did upset everyone in the room.
2. She suggested that I write a memoir and to send it to a good publisher.
Answer A: She suggested that I write a memoir and send it to a good publisher.
Answer B: She suggested that I write a memoir and that I send it to a good publisher.
PRACTICE ACTIVITY (WORKED IN CLASS)
3. The instructor advised me to use the rearview mirror often, and I should observe the speed
limit.
Answer A: The instructor advised me to use the rearview mirror often, and to observe the speed
limit.
Answer B: The instructor advised that I should use the rearview mirror often and that I should
observe the speed limit.
4. People are paying more now for health insurance but to get less coverage.
Answer A: People are paying more now for health insurance but getting less coverage.
How is today’s lesson relevant to
me as a future CSEC English A
candidate?
• Understanding parallelism will help me to write
grammatically correct sentences in my examination
responses.
• It will also help me to express myself clearly. This is
important especially in persuasive/ argumentative writing
where I will need to convince the reader/ marker about
the position I take on the given topic.
• It will also help me in other exams where I need to answer
essay type questions. My writing will be clear and
understood by all.
• These points and more will help me to gain more marks in
my exam.
