Sentence Variety Parallelism or Parallel Structure Commas Review & Practice Writing portion of the Grammar Exam

Parallelism or Parallel Structure Parallelism or Parallel Structure is an effective way to add smoothness and power to your writing. Parallelism is a balance of two or more similar words, phrases, or clauses. 1- He likes dancing, swimming, and to jog. 2- He likes dancing, swimming, and jogging. Dancing, swimming, and jogging are parallel. They are each ing verbs, used here as nouns, and express parallel ideas. 1- The cable runs across the roof, the north wall where it runs down. 2- The cable runs across the roof and down the north wall. Across the roof and down the north wall are parallel prepositional phrases, each consisting of a preposition and its object. 1- She admires people with strong convictions and who think for themselves. 2- She admires people who have strong convictions and who think for themselves. In sentence #2, who have strong convictions and who think for themselves are parallel clauses beginning with the word who.

Sometimes two entire sentences can be parallel 1- In a democracy we are all equal before the law. 2- In a dictatorship we are all equal before the law. In what ways are these two sentences parallel? Certain special constructions require parallel structure: 1 – The fruit is both tasty and fresh. 2 – He either loves you or hates you. 3- Cassie not only plays golf but also swims like a pro. 4- I would rather sing in the chorus than perform a solo. Each construction has two parts: both/and, (n)either/(n)or, not only/but also, and rather/than. The words, phrases, and clauses that follow each pair MUST ALSO be parallel: tasty/fresh, loves you/hates you, plays golf/swims like a pro, and sing in the chorus/perform a solo.

Now you do the work. Rewrite each of the following sentences using parallel structure to accent parallel ideas: 1 – Teresa is a gifted woman – a chemist, does carpentry, and she can cook. 2- The classroom was spacious and it had air-conditioning. 3- Chia, my dog, is overweight and moves clumsily. 4- He is an affectionate boyfriend, a dutiful son, and kind to his pets. 5- She is a woman of great talent and who is compassionate. 6- James is the funniest man I know: he has the most style of any man I know 7- Joelle would rather work on a farm than spending time in an office.

Next, write one sentence that is parallel to each sentence below, creating pairs of parallel sentences. 1- On Friday night, she dressed in silk and sipped champagne. 2- The child in me wants to run away from problems 3- The survivors were people who saw disaster as a challenge. 4- “Work hard and keep your mouth shut” is my mother’s formula for success. 5- The home team charged enthusiastically onto the field..

Review and Practice for the writing portion of the exam. Mixing short and long sentences. Adding an occasional question, command, or exclamation. Beginning with an adverb: Unfortunately, the outfielder dropped the fly ball. Beginning with a prepositional phrase: With great style, the pitcher delivered a curve. Joining ideas with a compound predicate: The fans roared and banged their seats. Joining ideas with an ing modifier: Diving chin first into the ground, Johnson caught the ball.

Review Joining ideas with a past participle modifier: Frustrated by the call, the batter kicked dirt onto home plate. Joining ideas with an appositive: Peanuts, the cause of much messiness, should not be sold at games. Joining ideas with relative clauses: Box seats, which are hard to get for important games, are frequently bought up by corporations. Use of parallel structure: The batter swung, missed, and struck out. Mixing coordination and subordination: The fans hissed (,but : :however) the umpire paid no attention. (Although) T(t)he fans hissed, (although) the umpire paid no attention.