Parallel Structure Exercises Additional Exercises Name:______________________

Below are the skeletons of sentences; fill in the blanks in each sentence with parallel
words or phrases of your own. Be creative. Take care that your sentences make
sense and that your parallels are truly parallel. Example: I feel rested and happy.

1. If you ___________ and ___________, you will feel healthy.

2. The way we dress reveals our ____________, our ______________ and our
_______________.

3. Many city apartments are plagued by __________, and ________, and

4. When you ____________ or _____________, it is hard to find a good job.

5. It was a clear April day. In the park, __________________,

6. If you are a man in America, ____________________________; if you are a woman

7. Many college students __________, __________, and _________.

8. Bargain hunters either _________________ or ________________.

9. O. J. Simpson is a man who _______________, ____________, and who

10. When I write in class _______________________; when I write at home

http://isu.indstate.edu/writing/handouts/setiii/prints/SETIII14P.html

Rewrite the following sentences to create parallel structure with words and phrases

To have a parallel structure, words and phrases should have similar endings, suffixes.

1. Maria likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.

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2. The production manager was asked to write her report quickly, accurately, and in a
detailed manner.
Parallel Structure Exercises Additional Exercises Name:______________________

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3. The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to
study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and his motivation
was low.

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Clauses

A parallel structure that begins with clauses must keep on with clauses. Changing to
another pattern or changing the voice of the verb (from active to passive or vice versa)
will break the parallelism.

 4. The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat
too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.

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5. The trail guide told them to beware of snakes, to keep an eye out for alligators, watch
out for ant piles, and to stay away from unmarked trails.

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List after a colon

Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form.

6. The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations,
correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.
Parallel Structure Exercises Additional Exercises Name:______________________

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7. Gina completed many tasks that day: milking the cow, feeding the chickens, walking
the dogs, having the barn cleaned, and fixing the gate.

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 http://www.nwe.ufl.edu/~hsierra/Parallel%20Structure%20Exercises.htm

Correct any errors in parallel structure in the following sentences. Two of the
sentences are correct.

1. David has neither done the dishes nor has he made his bed. (Hint: make sure you have
the same kind of structure after nor as you have after neither.)

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2. Janet hopes to finish college, get a job, and to find her own apartment.

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3. To learn proper grammar and writing effectively are my goals.

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4. I plan to travel this summer either in Europe or Central America.

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5. The suspect has sold his house, packed his belongings, and has left town.
Parallel Structure Exercises Additional Exercises Name:______________________

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6. Greg can't decide whether to enroll in Social Services or to choose General Arts.

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7. He is both tired from jet lag, and he is irritated by the long line-ups.

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8. Mr. Ames will write the report, proofread it, and mail it before tomorrow.

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9. That student is studying English, psychology, and is taking two computer courses as
well.

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10. Not only are we paying for our daughter's wedding but also for the honeymoon.

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Correct any errors in parallel structure in the following sentences. Two sentences
are correct.

1. Reading trashy novels, the soaps, and eating junk food are Karen's only vices.

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2. Matt is either studying in the library, or he is working in the computer lab.

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3. I know how to brainstorm, write a good thesis statement, and I can organize my ideas
well, too.

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4. Amanda has trouble with study skills, memory techniques, and managing her time.

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5. This weekend, Jason will both research his essay topic on the Internet, and he will also
write the first draft of his essay.

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6. The disk in the sky revolved rapidly, emitted a humming sound, and then it began to
descend slowly towards the surface of the earth.

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7. Hoping to thumb a ride and cross the border, the escaped prisoner cautiously
approached the highway.

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8. Although we enjoyed the article on Seven Years in Tibet, we have neither seen the
movie nor read the book.

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Parallel Structure Exercises Additional Exercises Name:______________________

9. The members of the tour group boarded the bus wearily, endured a two-hour drive to
the resort, and then they discovered that they had no reservations.

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10. The rebels not only attacked the village, but they also took several hostages.

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http://homepages.cambrianc.on.ca/tutorial/thetutorialcentre/writing/parallel_structure.htm

Rewrite each of the following and use parallelism to accentuate the parallel
ideas.

1. Tom enjoys swimming, and he likes to skate too.

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2. He wore a green suede jacket, and his shirt was flowered. He was wearing platform
shoes, multicolored.

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3. At 16, I was full of wildness, outspoken, and I was an uncaring person.

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4. The work was difficult and there was danger in it.

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5. Like many women, she had several roles: wife, mother, going to school, job.

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Parallel Structure Exercises Additional Exercises Name:______________________

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6. When the teacher left the room, I talked loudly, was fighting with my classmates and
would throw paper airplanes and even climbed on the desks.

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7. When I disobeyed, my parents punished me: no going out, I couldn't talk on the
telephone, and was not allowed to have company.

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8. Slowly, with ease, and soundless, the dancers moved offstage.

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9. The drums pounded, did throb, were rising and falling.

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10. Good writing must be honest, have freshness, and precise words.

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11. My son wants to be either a fireman or fly planes.

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12. The students were more interested in dates with girls than in studying math.

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