English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 6: Parallel Structures

Semester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC

Session 6: Parallel Structures (KEY)

Part A: Diagnostic Test

Identify and underline the nonparallel structures in the following passage. Then,
revise these sentences to eliminate errors in parallel structure in the space between
the lines.

How do you classify a person as beautiful? Is it someone having an attractive

appearance, dressing up in gorgeous apparel (-ing phrase), or having a slim body? Being
affected by the advertisements of slimming treatments and products shown on television
and in the mass media, many women now believe that having not more than 100 lbs is
beautiful, and they always claim that they can gain back their self-confidence and others’
respect after losing weight (clause – active voice). This view is fallacious. Being beautiful
is not a matter of being good-looking but having a commendable personality. Do you
think your favourite superstars would still look smart and charming (adjective) when they
are put into prison because of taking drugs or committing crime (-ing phrase)? Or don’t
you agree that Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale and Mariah Carey are all lovely and
beautiful because of their kindness and talents (noun)? If you deny the former but affirm
the latter, there should be no doubt that being kind-hearted, intelligent, cheerful and
energetic (adjective) are the main qualities of a laudable personality, all of which can
make a person look more beautiful. On the other hand, being slim is only a phrase used to
describe one’s outward appearance. Slimness contributes nothing to one’s personality,
and it might not even make one look pretty.

Part B: Grammatical Sentences – Review

Parallel Structures - Sentences that list things in a series using the same grammatical
form to improve sentence clarity, conciseness, and readability.
¾ Using words in parallel form: Put words of the same grammatical form in a series.
Example (nouns): Disciplinary action will be taken if a student is found plagiarizing
others’ ideas or words.
Example (verbs): I have read and chosen an article about the 2008 financial tsunami
in the last reflective writing practice.
Example (adjectives): A good English learner should be active, diligent and
English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 6: Parallel Structures
Semester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC

uninhibited.
Example (adverbs): No bonus mark will be given to works completed sloppily,
untidily and late.
¾ Using phrases in parallel form: Put phrases of the same grammatical form in a series.
Example (infinitives): Our lecturer reminded us to submit an essay outline before the
deadline and to schedule an appointment with him for essay consultation.
Example (gerund): Writing assignments, doing group projects, and reading course
texts are the common tasks all college students need to do.
Example (participles): Having participated actively in the class activities and asked
the teacher for constant feedback, Jonathan was able to perform exceptionally well in
this challenging subject.
Example (prepositional phrases): To support our argument more adequately, we had
better locate other sources of references from the library and on the Internet.
¾ Using clauses in parallel form: Put words of the same grammatical form in a series.
Example (active voice): Men and women speak the same language, yet they
communicate very differently.
Example (passive voice): The division of work in the College is very clear. Student
enquiries are handled at the Information Kiosk; staff enquiries are dealt with in
the service counter of the General Office.
¾ Using parallel forms with correlative conjunctions* (paired words): Put words of the
same grammatical form in a series.
*Correlative conjunctions (paired words): not only… but (also); either… or, both…
and, neither… nor; whether… or; not…but.
Example: Both mature candidates and overseas applicants are required to write a
written test.

Part C: Concept Boosting Exercises

Exercise C1: Identify and underline the nonparallel structures in the following
passage. Then, revise these sentences to eliminate errors in parallel structure in
the space between the lines.

Basketball is a world-wide sport now. It is one of the most popular choices among
teenagers who are vibrant and energetic (adjective). Although there are many basketball
courts in our community, they are always full, no matter it is in the morning, in the
English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 6: Parallel Structures
Semester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC

afternoon, or on a public holiday (prepositional phrase). Not only do teenagers find

playing basketball exciting, but playing basketball can also foster their whole-person
development (clause – active). By playing basketball, teenagers can exercise, build up
teamwork skills and develop their mental stamina (verb phrase). To begin with, playing
basketball regularly can improve their health. By means of jumping and running,
especially at the age of puberty, teenagers may grow taller and strengthen their muscles
(verb phrase – active voice). Another advantage of playing basketball is that it can help
teenagers develop teamwork skills. A basketball match is a team game in which players
have to communicate with their teammates to organize a defense or an offense (noun
phrase). What can be gained is not a physical product but a spirit, one which is essential
when working with a group of people, no matter who you are working with and what
their personalities are (clause introduced by a WH-question word). Meanwhile, teenagers
may also develop friendship and learn to respect others (verb phrase). Besides physical
constitution and teamwork skills, playing basketball can help teenagers develop mental
stamina. When teenagers join a team to play a competition, they have to take the coach’s
instruction, have good discipline and follow the rules (verb phrase). Also, in a match, the
youngster’s team may lead or lag behind. While they are losing, they need to be persistent;
while they are leading, they cannot be complacent (adjective). These attitudes are not
inborn; they are built up through training.

Exercise C2: Complete the following sentences with parallel items.

1. Working in Mainland China is a wise decision for the university fresh graduates
because it provides the chances for gaining extensive work experience, immersing in
a Putonghua learning environment, and _____________________________________
____________________________________________________________________.

Answers may vary, yet the third point should be presented in the form of an “-ing
phrase”.

2. Putonghua should be made the medium of instruction of all Chinese-related subjects

as it increases students’ exposure to Putonghua, cultivates a sense of belongings, and
____________________________________________________________________.

Answers may vary, yet the third point should be introduced in the form of a “verb
phrase”.
English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 6: Parallel Structures
Semester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC

Exercise C3:

A title and three supporting sentences are provided for the outline of an essay. Using
the techniques of parallelism, write an appropriate thesis statement and a plan of
development for an essay based on the information.

Title: Joining a Rock Band

Topic sentence 1: Rock music is a means of expressing our feelings.
Topic sentence 2: Our social circle can be widened.
Topic sentence 3: Joining a rock band can boost our creativity.

Answer may vary.

Suggested answer: Teenagers should be encouraged to join a rock band as it can channel
their feelings, widen their social circle, and boost their creativity.