PARALLEL

STRUCTURE
 What is parallel structure?

C
Adjectives O
Adjectives
N
J
Adverbs Adverbs
U
N
Infinitives Infinitives
C
T
Infinitive phrases I Infinitive phrases
O
Prepositional phrases N Prepositional phrases
Parallel Structure
S
 Conjuctions

Coordinating Conjuctions Correlative Conjuction

And Both/and

Or Whether/or

Nor Neither/nor
Parallel Structure
 Adjectives
adjective verb
The room is comfortable, airy, and it was not dirty. (WRONG)
The room is comfortable, airy, and clean. (CORRECT)
adjective adjective

adjective verb
The salad was fresh, crisp, and tasted delicious. (WRONG)
The salad was fresh, crisp, and delicious. (CORRECT)
Parallel Structure adjective adjective
 Adjectives

She is cute, sweet, and (beautiful / looked beautiful)

Parallel Structure
 Adverbs
adverb adjective
John talked confidently, effectively, and persuasive. (WRONG)
John talked confidently, effectively, and persuasively. (CORRECT)
adverb adverb

adverb adjective
They studied quickly, quietly, and careful. (WRONG)
They studied quickly, quietly, and carefully. (CORRECT)
Parallel Structure
adverb adverb
 Adverbs

Andy speaks slowly, confidently, and (clear / clearly)

Parallel Structure
 Infinitives
verb II verb II verb-ing

He went into the bathroom, took a bath, and brushing

his teeth. (WRONG)

verb II verb II verb II

He went into the bathroom, took a bath, and brushed

his teeth. (CORRECT)

Parallel Structure
 Infinitives
verb I verb-ing

They come, study, and going home. (WRONG)

They come, study, and go home. (CORRECT)
verb I verb I

She went to England and (studied / studying) there

Parallel Structure
 Infinitive Phrases
infinitive phrase verb-ing

I can’t decide whether to take a bus or riding my bicyle

to the office. (WRONG)

infinitive phrase infinitive phrase

I can’t decide whether to take a bus or to ride my bicyle
to the office. (CORRECT)

Parallel Structure
 Infinitive Phrases
infinitive phrase verb-ing

John wants to paint his room and buying a new bed. (WRONG)
John wants to paint his room and to buy a new bed. (CORRECT)
infinitive phrase infinitive phrase

I like to swim better than to (playing / to play) football

Parallel Structure
 Gerunds
verb-ing infinitive phrase

Thomas likes dancing better than to swim. (WRONG)

Thomas likes dancing better than swimming. (CORRECT)

verb-ing verb-ing

verb-ing infinitive phrase

Ana’s hobbies are dancing, swimming, and to draw. (WRONG)

Ana’s hobbies are dancing, swimming, and drawing. (CORRECT)
Parallel Structure
verb-ing verb-ing
 Gerunds

She likes swimming better than (dancing / to dance)

Parallel Structure
 Prepositional Phrases
without prep. with prep. with prep.

He climbed the rock, up to the wall, and onto the roof.

(WRONG)
with prep. with prep. with prep.

He climbed over the rock, up to the wall, and onto the roof.
(CORRECT)

Parallel Structure
 Prepositional Phrases
with prep. without prep.

`
My books are on the table or the bookshelf. (WRONG)
My books are on the table or on the bookshelf. (CORRECT)

with prep. with prep.

David puts the signs on the table, in the drawer and

(under the chair / the chair)
Parallel Structure
THANK YOU