Parallel Structure Worksheet: Free Examples

Parallel structure, a critical element of grammar, enhances clarity and rhythm in writing, and practice is essential for mastering its use. Educators at institutions like Grammarly emphasize that effective sentences require balanced construction. Resources like a parallel structure worksheet offer practical exercises to solidify understanding. The concept of sentence diagramming often complements the use of a parallel structure worksheet, providing a visual aid to identify and correct structural imbalances. These educational tools, often found within the Common Core State Standards, ensure students gain proficiency in constructing well-formed, grammatically sound sentences.

Unveiling the Power of Parallelism in Grammar: A Foundation for Effective Communication

Parallelism, at its core, is the art of using similar grammatical structures to express ideas that are related or carry equal weight.

It’s not merely a stylistic flourish; it’s a fundamental principle that underpins clarity and impact in writing.

Think of it as creating a harmonious balance in your sentences, where each element complements the others.

This introduction will dissect the concept of parallelism, explore its profound importance, and establish its essential link to broader grammatical principles, paving the way for you to harness its power.

Defining Parallelism: Symmetry in Sentence Structure

Parallelism, also referred to as parallel structure, is defined as the balanced arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence or across multiple sentences.

The aim is to present related ideas in a grammatically consistent form. This not only creates a sense of order but also enhances the reader’s comprehension.

For example, instead of writing "She enjoys reading books, going for a walk, and to listen to music," you would write "She enjoys reading books, going for a walk, and listening to music."

The consistent use of gerunds (reading, going, listening) creates a parallel structure that is both pleasing and easy to understand.

The Importance of Parallelism: More Than Just Aesthetics

The significance of parallelism extends far beyond mere aesthetics.

It is integral to achieving clarity, readability, balance, and rhythm in your writing.

Clarity stems from the unambiguous presentation of ideas, where the parallel structure highlights the relationship between them.

Readability improves as the reader can easily follow the flow of the sentence without being distracted by inconsistent grammatical forms.

Balance is achieved by giving equal weight to related ideas, creating a sense of harmony.

Finally, rhythm emerges from the patterned repetition of grammatical structures, making the writing more engaging and memorable.

Ultimately, parallelism elevates the overall effectiveness of your communication.

It allows your message to resonate more powerfully with your audience.

Connecting Parallelism to Grammar: The Underlying Framework

Parallelism doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it’s deeply intertwined with core grammatical principles.

To master parallelism, a firm understanding of basic grammar rules is essential.

This includes knowledge of parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs), phrase types (noun phrases, verb phrases, prepositional phrases), and clause structures (independent, dependent).

Without this foundation, the application of parallelism becomes challenging, if not impossible.

For example, understanding the difference between an infinitive (to + verb) and a gerund (verb + -ing) is crucial for creating parallel structures that are grammatically sound.

Mastering parallelism is therefore an exercise in applying and reinforcing your understanding of fundamental grammar rules.

Dissecting Parallel Structure: Identifying the Building Blocks

Think of it as architectural symmetry in sentences. Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for understanding parallelism, it’s time to delve into the nitty-gritty of how it actually works. This section is your toolkit for recognizing and constructing sentences with impeccable parallel structure.

We’ll dissect the key components, from individual words to complex clauses, and uncover how conjunctions act as the mortar that holds these elements together. Ready to see how it all comes together?

Identifying Parallel Elements: Spotting the Symmetry

The first step in mastering parallelism is training your eye to recognize it. Look for elements within a sentence that express related ideas. These elements should ideally mirror each other in grammatical form.

Are you comparing two actions? Ensure both are verbs in the same tense.
Listing a series of items? Make sure they are all nouns, phrases, or clauses of a similar type.

Ask yourself, "Does this element belong with the others in the series or comparison?". If they share a similar purpose in the sentence, they likely require a parallel structure.

Key Components of Parallelism: Words, Phrases, and Clauses

Parallelism isn’t limited to just matching words; it extends to phrases and clauses, each demanding its own form of symmetry.

Words: The Foundation of Parallelism

At the most basic level, parallelism involves using the same grammatical form for individual words. This means keeping nouns as nouns, verbs as verbs, adjectives as adjectives, and adverbs as adverbs.

For example, instead of writing: "He enjoys to sing, dancing, and acting," you should write: "He enjoys singing, dancing, and acting."

Clarity and consistency in word forms are paramount.

Phrases: Expanding the Parallel Structure

Parallelism extends beyond individual words to phrases, adding another layer of complexity, but also richness, to your writing. Phrases, which are groups of related words that don’t contain a subject and a verb, must mirror each other in type and structure.

Noun Phrases: Building with Nouns

Noun phrases, which function as nouns within a sentence, should maintain parallelism when used in a series.

For instance, instead of: "She is known for her intelligence, wit, and she has a charming personality," a parallel structure would be: "She is known for her intelligence, wit, and charming personality."

Verb Phrases: Actions in Harmony

Verb phrases consist of a main verb and any auxiliary verbs or modifiers. Parallelism dictates that these phrases maintain the same structure.

Instead of saying: "He was hoping to finish the project and that he would present it next week," use: "He was hoping to finish the project and to present it next week."

Adjective and Adverb Phrases: Descriptive Symmetry

Adjective and adverb phrases, which modify nouns and verbs respectively, also benefit from parallel construction. Ensure that when listing or comparing these phrases, they maintain similar structure.

An example of faulty parallelism: "The speaker was loud, passionate, and lacked organization." The corrected parallel structure: "The speaker was loud, passionate, and disorganized."

Prepositional Phrases: Positioning with Precision

Prepositional phrases (beginning with a preposition) should align grammatically when used in a series.

For instance, instead of: "The book was on the table, near the lamp, and it was by the window," the parallel version is: "The book was on the table, near the lamp, and by the window."

Clauses: Complex Structures in Alignment

Clauses, which contain both a subject and a verb, require careful attention to parallelism. When linking clauses, ensure that they follow a similar pattern and structure. This is particularly important when using coordinating or correlative conjunctions.

Example: "The company aimed to increase profits and to reduce costs." Both clauses ("to increase profits" and "to reduce costs") are infinitive phrases acting as objects of the verb "aimed," maintaining the parallel structure.

The Role of Conjunctions: Connecting Parallel Elements

Conjunctions are the essential connectors that link parallel elements. Different types of conjunctions serve different roles, so understanding their function is key to proper parallel construction.

Coordinating Conjunctions: The Equalizers

Coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) connect elements of equal grammatical rank. They signal that the items they join should be parallel.

Consider: "He likes to read books and watching movies." This is incorrect. The correct version uses parallel verb forms: "He likes reading books and watching movies."

Correlative Conjunctions: The Dynamic Duos

Correlative conjunctions (both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also, whether/or) come in pairs and emphasize the relationship between the elements they connect. The elements following each part of the pair MUST be parallel.

A common error is: "Not only did he win the race, but he also broke the record." A parallel structure would be: "He not only won the race but also broke the record." By placing "not only" before "won" and "but also" before "broke," we ensure that both parts of the correlative conjunction connect parallel verb phrases.

Parallelism in Action: Common Applications and Examples

Think of it as architectural symmetry in sentences. Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for understanding parallelism, it’s time to delve into the nitty-gritty of how it actually works. This section is your toolkit for recognizing and constructing sentences with impeccable parallel structure.

The Ubiquity of Parallelism

Parallelism isn’t just an abstract grammatical concept; it’s a workhorse that enhances clarity and flow in various writing contexts. From simple lists to complex comparisons, mastering parallelism is essential for impactful communication.

Let’s explore how it manifests in practice.

Lists: The Power of Consistency

When constructing lists, maintaining a consistent grammatical form for each item is crucial. Imagine reading a list where some items are phrases, and others are full clauses – it’s jarring, right?

Parallelism provides a smooth, predictable rhythm that makes the list easy to digest.

Example: "I enjoy hiking, biking, and swimming." (All gerunds, consistent and clear)

Non-Parallel Example: "I enjoy hiking, to bike, and I like swimming." (Inconsistent and clunky)

Comparisons: Balancing the Scales

Parallelism is particularly important when making comparisons. Whether you’re highlighting similarities or contrasting differences, using parallel structures ensures that the comparison is clear and balanced.

It helps to avoid unintentionally skewing the reader’s perception.

Example: "She likes to read more than to write." (Parallel infinitives, balanced comparison)

Non-Parallel Example: "She likes to read more than writing." (Unbalanced and potentially confusing)

Compound Structures: Harmonizing Elements

Parallelism shines when applied to compound structures – subjects, verbs, or objects linked together. This creates a sense of unity and emphasizes the relationship between the elements.

Example: "He is a teacher, a mentor, and a friend." (Parallel nouns, creating a cohesive portrait)

Non-Parallel Example: "He is a teacher, a mentor, and someone who is friendly." (The third element feels out of place and disrupts the flow)

Navigating the Infinitive vs. Gerund Minefield

The interplay between infinitives and gerunds can be a tricky aspect of parallelism. The key is consistency. If you start with an infinitive, stick with infinitives; if you start with a gerund, stick with gerunds.

Infinitive Harmony

Example: "To succeed, you need to work hard, to stay focused, and to believe in yourself."

Non-Parallel Example: "To succeed, you need to work hard, staying focused, and believe in yourself."

Gerund Groove

Example: "Her hobbies include reading, painting, and playing the piano."

Non-Parallel Example: "Her hobbies include reading, to paint, and playing the piano."

By mastering these principles, you’ll be well on your way to crafting sentences that are not only grammatically sound but also elegant and persuasive. Remember, parallelism is your ally in achieving clarity and impact in your writing.

Parallelism in Action: Common Applications and Examples
Think of it as architectural symmetry in sentences. Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for understanding parallelism, it’s time to delve into the nitty-gritty of how it actually works. This section is your toolkit for recognizing and constructing sentences with impeccable parallel structure.

Spotting and Fixing Faulty Parallelism: Avoiding Grammatical Pitfalls

Faulty parallelism is a common gremlin that creeps into even the most polished writing. It disrupts the flow, muddies the message, and can leave your reader feeling slightly off-kilter. The good news is that with a keen eye and a few simple techniques, you can banish this gremlin and ensure your writing shines with clarity and grace. This section will equip you with the skills to identify and correct instances where parallelism goes astray, transforming potentially clunky sentences into models of elegance and precision.

Recognizing the Red Flags: Identifying Faulty Parallelism

The first step in correcting faulty parallelism is being able to spot it. It usually presents itself as a jarring lack of balance within a sentence.

Look for elements that should be grammatically similar but aren’t. This often occurs in lists, comparisons, and compound structures connected by conjunctions.

For instance, take this sentence: "She enjoys reading novels, hiking in the mountains, and to watch movies."

The uneven structure immediately signals a problem. Two of the elements are gerunds ("reading," "hiking"), while the third is an infinitive phrase ("to watch"). This inconsistency disrupts the rhythm and clarity.

Common Culprits: Root Causes of Parallelism Errors

Understanding the common causes of faulty parallelism can significantly improve your ability to preemptively avoid them.

Mismatched Verb Forms: One of the most frequent errors involves inconsistent verb tenses or forms within a parallel structure. Ensure all verbs share the same tense and form (e.g., all infinitives, all gerunds, or all past participles).

Inconsistent Phrase Structure: Problems also arise when phrases of different types are strung together. Mixing noun phrases with verb phrases, for example, is a recipe for faulty parallelism.

Omitting Necessary Words: Sometimes, parallelism is broken because a word or phrase is inadvertently omitted from one of the parallel elements.

For example: "He likes and respects his mentor."

This should be "He likes and he respects his mentor" or "He likes and respects his mentor."

Correcting the Course: Restoring Parallelism

Once you’ve identified faulty parallelism, the fix is often straightforward. The key is to realign the mismatched elements so they share a consistent grammatical structure.

Returning to our earlier example, "She enjoys reading novels, hiking in the mountains, and to watch movies," we can easily correct the error by making all three elements gerunds: "She enjoys reading novels, hiking in the mountains, and watching movies." Alternatively, we could rephrase using infinitives: "She enjoys to read novels, to hike in the mountains, and to watch movies."

Both options restore the sentence’s balance and clarity.

Strategies for Correction: A Practical Approach

Here are a few practical strategies to help you consistently correct parallelism errors:

1. Identify the Parallel Elements: Clearly pinpoint the components within the sentence that are intended to be parallel (e.g., items in a list, parts of a comparison).
2. Determine the Intended Structure: Decide on the grammatical form that all parallel elements should share (e.g., all gerunds, all infinitives, all clauses with a specific structure).
3. Revise for Consistency: Modify the non-conforming elements to match the chosen structure, ensuring each element is grammatically equivalent.

Achieving Consistency: The Hallmarks of Polished Prose

Consistency is the cornerstone of effective parallelism. It’s not merely about following rules; it’s about creating a sense of balance, rhythm, and predictability that enhances the reader’s experience.

When your writing exhibits consistent parallel structure, it becomes easier to understand, more persuasive, and ultimately, more enjoyable to read. It demonstrates attention to detail and a commitment to clear and effective communication. Embracing parallelism is about elevating your writing from simply correct to truly compelling.

Tools and Resources: Your Arsenal for Mastering Parallelism

Think of it as architectural symmetry in sentences. Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for understanding parallelism, it’s time to delve into the nitty-gritty of how it actually works. This section is your toolkit for recognizing and constructing sentences with impeccable parallel structure.

Mastering parallelism isn’t just about understanding the rules; it’s about consistent practice and utilizing the right resources. Thankfully, a wealth of tools are available to help you hone your skills and transform your writing from good to great. Let’s explore some of the most effective resources in your arsenal.

Worksheets: The Foundation of Practice

Worksheets provide a structured approach to learning and reinforcing parallelism. They offer practical exercises specifically designed to help you identify and correct instances of faulty parallelism.

These exercises often include a variety of sentence structures, forcing you to actively apply the rules you’ve learned. The hands-on nature of worksheets makes them an invaluable tool for solidifying your understanding.

Answer Keys: Your Personal Grammar Guide

The true power of worksheets is unlocked when paired with a comprehensive answer key. Answer keys don’t just provide the correct answers; they often explain the reasoning behind them.

This allows you to understand why a particular sentence was incorrect and how it was restructured to achieve parallelism. Treat the answer key as a personalized grammar guide, providing insights and clarity.

Online Grammar Checkers: A Digital Helping Hand

In the digital age, online grammar checkers have become indispensable tools for writers of all levels. Platforms like Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and the Hemingway Editor can identify potential parallelism errors that you might otherwise miss.

These tools go beyond basic spell-checking, offering suggestions for improving sentence structure and enhancing clarity. While they aren’t a replacement for a solid understanding of grammar, they serve as an excellent safety net and a valuable learning resource.

Considerations When Using Grammar Checkers

It’s crucial to use online grammar checkers judiciously. While they can identify potential issues, they aren’t always perfect.

Always review their suggestions critically and ensure that the proposed changes align with your intended meaning.

Quizzes and Exercises: Interactive Learning

Quizzes and exercises offer an engaging way to test your knowledge of parallelism. Interactive quizzes can provide immediate feedback, allowing you to identify areas where you need further practice.

Exercises, on the other hand, might involve rewriting sentences or constructing parallel structures from scratch. Both formats contribute to a dynamic and effective learning experience.

Grammar Books: The Timeless Resource

In the age of instant online information, the value of a well-written grammar book should not be underestimated. Grammar books provide a comprehensive and structured approach to learning the rules of English grammar, including parallelism.

They offer in-depth explanations, examples, and exercises, making them an invaluable resource for serious students of writing. Look for reputable grammar books that are regularly updated to reflect current usage and best practices.

Choosing the Right Grammar Book

When selecting a grammar book, consider your learning style and level of expertise. Some books are geared towards beginners, while others are more advanced.

Look for books that provide clear explanations, numerous examples, and ample opportunities for practice.

Practice Makes Perfect: Applying and Refining Your Parallelism Skills

Think of it as architectural symmetry in sentences. Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for understanding parallelism, it’s time to delve into the nitty-gritty of how it actually works. This section is your toolkit for recognizing and constructing sentences with impeccable parallel structure.

The journey to mastering parallelism isn’t about memorizing rules; it’s about consistent application and refinement. Let’s explore how to transform theoretical knowledge into practical skill.

Working Systematically with Parallelism Worksheets

Worksheets provide structured opportunities to identify and correct instances of faulty parallelism. Start by tackling these exercises methodically.

Read each sentence carefully, paying close attention to the elements that should be parallel. Underline or highlight potential areas of concern.

Don’t rush through the process. Thoughtful analysis is key to understanding the nuances of parallel construction.

Leveraging Answer Keys for Enhanced Learning

The answer key is more than just a tool for checking your work. It’s a crucial resource for understanding why certain corrections are necessary.

Review each answer, even the ones you got right. Understanding the underlying principles will solidify your grasp of parallelism.

Pay particular attention to the explanations provided. Look for patterns in the errors you made, and focus on those areas in future practice.

Consider the answer key a guide, not just a grade-giver. Use it to dissect the anatomy of parallelism.

The Power of Constructive Feedback

While self-assessment is valuable, seeking feedback from others can provide fresh perspectives. Share your writing with peers, instructors, or writing groups.

Be open to criticism. Remember that the goal is to improve your skills, not to defend your work.

Ask specific questions about parallelism in your writing. For example, "Are there any instances where my sentence structure feels unbalanced or awkward?"

Welcome differing opinions and use them as opportunities for growth.

Continuous Improvement Through Application

The most effective way to master parallelism is to consistently apply it in your own writing. Make a conscious effort to use parallel structures in your sentences.

As you write, pause and review your work specifically for parallelism. Are your lists structured consistently? Are your comparisons balanced?

Over time, using parallelism will become second nature, and your writing will be clearer, more effective, and more enjoyable to read. The key is persistence and mindful application.

So, there you have it! Hopefully, these examples have given you a clearer understanding of parallel structure and how to use it effectively. Now, go grab a parallel structure worksheet and put your newfound knowledge to the test. Happy writing!