Identify sentences with parallel structure
Key notes :
When two or more words, phrases, or clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction to form a series, those elements must be parallel in structure. Parallel elements have the same grammatical function in the sentence.
x The community centre is a hub of activity and well equipped for meetings. The second element is not a noun phrase.
✔ The community centre is a hub of activity and a well-equipped meeting space. Both elements are noun phrases.
For joined verb phrases, each phrase must contain its own helping or modal verb, or the initial helping or modal verb must apply to all of the phrases.
x Sarah will order the flowers, pick up the decorations and might help us set up.The second element is missing a modal verb.
✔ Sarah will order the flowers, will pick up the decorations and might help us set up. All three elements have a modal verb.
✔ Sarah will order the flowers, pick up the decorations and help us set up. All three elements share the initial modal verb.
Correlative conjunctions, like both/and, either/or, neither/nor and not only/but also, must also join parallel elements.
x He was not only late, but also made a noisy entrance. The first element is an adjective. The second element is a verb phrase.
✔ Not only was he late, but he also made a noisy entrance. Both elements are clauses: “was he late” and “he made a noisy entrance.”
Learn with an example
▶️ Which sentence or sentences have correct parallel structure?
- On most Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you will find my mother either in her garden or at the library.
- On most Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you will find my mother in either her garden or at the library.
The first sentence has parallel structure because the elements joined by the correlative conjunctions either/or are both prepositional phrases.
✔ On most Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you will find my mother either in her garden or at the library.
The second sentence does not have parallel structure
x On most Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you will find my mother in either her garden or at the library.
▶️ Which sentence or sentences have correct parallel structure?
- Eloise’s plans for the summer include volunteering at a shelter, working a part-time job and visiting relatives in Telgaon.
- Eloise’s plans for the summer include volunteering at a shelter, working a part-time job and they might also include visiting relatives in Telgaon.
The first sentence has parallel structure because the joined elements are all noun phrases.
✔ Eloise’s plans for the summer include volunteering at a shelter, working a part-time job and visiting relatives in Telgaon.
The second sentence does not have parallel structure.
x Eloise’s plans for the summer include volunteering at a shelter, working a part-time job and they might also include visiting relatives in Telgaon.
▶️ Which sentence or sentences have correct parallel structure?
- On most Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you will find my mother either in her garden or at the library.
- On most Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you will find my mother in either her garden or at the library.
The first sentence has parallel structure because the elements joined by the correlative conjunctions either/or are both prepositional phrases.
✔ On most Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you will find my mother either in her garden or at the library.
The second sentence does not have parallel structure.
x On most Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you will find my mother in either her garden or at the library.
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