Exercise: Using Parallelism and Avoiding Excessive Nominalization

I nstructions: Using parallel words or phrases, complete each of the following sentences. Answers will vary,
of course, but you'll find sample responses on page three.


When I was a child, I loved to play in the leaves, skip down the driveway, and ____________against
the wind.

I still enjoy playing in the leaves, skipping down the driveway, and ____________ against the wind.


Merdine danced a jig and then ____________ a song that took my heart away.


Merdine said that she wanted to dance a jig and then _________ a song that would take my heart away.


The children spent the afternoon playing video games, watching TV, and __________donuts.


If you want to learn how to play video games, watch TV, or ___________ donuts, spend an afternoon
with my children.


All that you need to make a great tomato sandwich is whole-wheat bread, a sliced sweet onion, two
lettuce leaves, mustard or mayonnaise, and a juicy ___________________.


To make a great tomato sandwich, begin by toasting two pieces of whole-wheat bread and
__________| a sweet onion.


Whatever you have, you must either use it or __________ it.


It is easier to build strong children than to __________ broken adults.


I divided my time between my music and my ________________.


Giving is better than ____________.


It is better to give than ______________.


People can hurt others not only by their actions but also by their ______________.

Children cannot learn well if they lack adequate health care, nutrition, and _______________.


Cheating can result in failing the assignment, failing the entire course, getting suspended, or
______________ from college entirely.


Plagiarism or any other form of cheating can result in a failing grade for the paper or a
_________________for the course.


Examples of weight-bearing exercises include walking, jogging, hiking, and _______________.


I look forward to graduating from high school in May and __________________college in the fall.


My favorite pastimes include napping, snacking, and __________________.


Rewrite each sentence. Turn any unnecessary nominalization into its corresponding verb or adjective.
1. Determination of policy occurs at the managerial level.
2. The discussion concerned a tax law.
3. The auditor has no expectation that it will meet the deadline.
4. We conducted an investigation of it.
5. It is my suggestion that you engage in the application of these principles.
















Here are sample responses to the sentence-completion exercise on the previous pages.

When I was a child, I loved to play in the leaves, skip down the driveway, and run against the wind.

I still enjoy playing in the leaves, skipping down the driveway, and running against the wind.

Merdine danced a jig and then sang a song that took my heart away.

Merdine said that she wanted to dance a jig and then sing a song that would take my heart away.

The children spent the afternoon playing video games, watching TV, and eating donuts.

If you want to learn how to play video games, watch TV, or eat donuts, spend an afternoon with my
children.

All that you need to make a great tomato sandwich is whole-wheat bread, a sliced sweet onion, two
lettuce leaves, mustard or mayonnaise, and a juicy tomato.

To make a great tomato sandwich, begin by toasting two pieces of whole-wheat bread and slicing a
sweet onion.

Whatever you have, you must either use it or lose it.

It is easier to build strong children than to fix broken adults.

I divided my time between my music and my books.

Giving is better than receiving.

It is better to give than to receive.

People can hurt others not only by their actions but also by their words.

Children cannot learn well if they lack adequate health care, nutrition, and housing.

Cheating can result in failing the assignment, failing the entire course, getting suspended, or getting
expelled from college entirely.

Plagiarism or any other form of cheating can result in a failing grade for the paper or a failing
grade for the course,

Examples of weight-bearing exercises include walking, jogging, hiking, and dancing.

I look forward to graduating from high school in May and attending college in the fall.

My favorite pastimes include napping, snacking, and watching TV.

Rewrite each sentence. Turn any unnecessary nominalization into its corresponding verb or adjective.
1. Determination of policy occurs at the managerial level.
Policy is determined at the managerial level.
2. The discussion concerned a tax law.
We discussed a tax law.
3. The auditor has no expectation that it will meet the deadline.
The auditor does not expect that it will meet the deadline.
4. We conducted an investigation of it.
We investigated it.
5. It is my suggestion that you engage in the application of these principles.
I suggest that you apply these principles.