Select Each Correct Answer. More Than One Answer May Be Correct.Which Three Sentences Correctly Use Parallel Structure?1. When Things Go Wrong, Carl Tends To Brood For Hours And To Blame Others.2. After Watching Some TV, I Was Talking To My Daughter

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Parallel structure is a fundamental concept in English grammar that refers to the use of similar grammatical structures in a series of words, phrases, or clauses. It is essential to maintain parallel structure in sentences to convey a clear and coherent message. In this article, we will explore the concept of parallel structure and identify the correct sentences that use it.

Understanding Parallel Structure

Parallel structure involves using the same grammatical structure for each item in a series. This can be achieved by using the same verb form, such as present tense or past tense, or the same grammatical construction, such as a noun phrase or a verb phrase. For example:

  • I like reading books, writing stories, and painting pictures. (Here, the three items in the series use the same verb form, "ing".)
  • She is a good singer, a talented dancer, and a skilled musician. (Here, the three items in the series use the same adjective form.)

Analyzing the Given Sentences

We are given three sentences to analyze and identify the correct ones that use parallel structure:

  1. When things go wrong, Carl tends to brood for hours and to blame others.
  2. After watching some TV, I was talking to my daughter.
  3. The new policy aims to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and to improve customer satisfaction.

Sentence 1: When things go wrong, Carl tends to brood for hours and to blame others.

This sentence uses a mix of verb forms, which can make it difficult to identify the parallel structure. The first verb phrase, "brood for hours," uses a gerund (a verb form ending in "-ing") as the subject. The second verb phrase, "to blame others," uses an infinitive (a verb form starting with "to") as the subject. While both verb phrases are in the infinitive form, they are not parallel in terms of their grammatical structure.

Sentence 2: After watching some TV, I was talking to my daughter.

This sentence uses a mix of verb tenses, which can make it difficult to identify the parallel structure. The first verb phrase, "watching some TV," uses a present participle (a verb form ending in "-ing") as the subject. The second verb phrase, "talking to my daughter," uses a present participle as the subject as well. However, the two verb phrases are not parallel in terms of their grammatical structure, as the first verb phrase is in the present participle form, while the second verb phrase is in the present participle form as well but with a different grammatical construction.

Sentence 3: The new policy aims to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and to improve customer satisfaction.

This sentence uses a mix of verb forms, which can make it difficult to identify the parallel structure. The first two verb phrases, "reduce costs" and "increase efficiency," use infinitive phrases as the subject. The third verb phrase, "to improve customer satisfaction," also uses an infinitive phrase as the subject. In this case, the three verb phrases are parallel in terms of their grammatical structure, as they all use infinitive phrases as the subject.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct sentences that use parallel structure are:

  • The new policy aims to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and to improve customer satisfaction.

The other two sentences do not use parallel structure, as they use a mix of verb forms and grammatical constructions that are not consistent throughout the sentence.

Tips for Mastering Parallel Structure

To master parallel structure, follow these tips:

  • Use the same verb form, such as present tense or past tense, for each item in a series.
  • Use the same grammatical construction, such as a noun phrase or a verb phrase, for each item in a series.
  • Avoid using a mix of verb forms and grammatical constructions in a single sentence.
  • Practice, practice, practice! The more you practice using parallel structure, the more comfortable you will become with it.

Parallel structure is a fundamental concept in English grammar that refers to the use of similar grammatical structures in a series of words, phrases, or clauses. In our previous article, we explored the concept of parallel structure and identified the correct sentences that use it. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about parallel structure to help you better understand and master this concept.

Q: What is parallel structure, and why is it important?

A: Parallel structure refers to the use of similar grammatical structures in a series of words, phrases, or clauses. It is essential to maintain parallel structure in sentences to convey a clear and coherent message. Parallel structure helps to create a sense of balance and harmony in a sentence, making it easier to read and understand.

Q: How do I identify parallel structure in a sentence?

A: To identify parallel structure in a sentence, look for the following characteristics:

  • The same verb form, such as present tense or past tense, for each item in a series.
  • The same grammatical construction, such as a noun phrase or a verb phrase, for each item in a series.
  • A consistent use of infinitive phrases, gerunds, or participles throughout the sentence.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when using parallel structure?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when using parallel structure include:

  • Using a mix of verb forms and grammatical constructions in a single sentence.
  • Failing to use the same verb form or grammatical construction for each item in a series.
  • Using a sentence with a subject-verb-object word order, but then switching to a different word order in the middle of the sentence.

Q: How can I practice using parallel structure in my writing?

A: To practice using parallel structure in your writing, try the following exercises:

  • Write a list of three or four items that use parallel structure, such as "I like reading books, writing stories, and painting pictures."
  • Write a sentence that uses a mix of verb forms and grammatical constructions, and then revise it to use parallel structure.
  • Read a passage or article and identify the parallel structure used in the sentences.

Q: Can parallel structure be used in complex sentences?

A: Yes, parallel structure can be used in complex sentences. In fact, parallel structure is often used in complex sentences to create a sense of balance and harmony. For example:

  • I was studying for my exam, but I also had to attend a meeting and write a report.
  • The new policy aims to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and to improve customer satisfaction.

Q: Can parallel structure be used in sentences with multiple clauses?

A: Yes, parallel structure can be used in sentences with multiple clauses. In fact, parallel structure is often used in sentences with multiple clauses to create a sense of balance and harmony. For example:

  • I was studying for my exam, but I also had to attend a meeting and write a report, and then I had to present my findings to the class.
  • The new policy aims to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and to improve customer satisfaction, and it also aims to reduce waste and to improve employee morale.

Conclusion

In conclusion, parallel structure is a fundamental concept in English grammar that refers to the use of similar grammatical structures in a series of words, phrases, or clauses. By understanding and mastering parallel structure, you can create clear and coherent sentences that convey a sense of balance and harmony. We hope this Q&A article has helped you better understand and master parallel structure.