Parallelism | PDF - Free Printable

Task: Correct the errors in parallelism in each sentence.

#### Explanation of Parallelism
Parallelism is a grammatical principle that requires elements in a series to have the same structure. When items are listed or compared, they should be in the same grammatical form (e.g., all verbs, all nouns, all phrases). Failure to maintain parallel structure can make sentences awkward and confusing.

#### Solutions with Explanations

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1. My parents considered getting a divorce or they would obtain a legal separation.

- Original Sentence: The sentence has a structural mismatch because "getting a divorce" is a gerund phrase, while "they would obtain a legal separation" is a complete clause.
- Correction: To achieve parallelism, both options should be in the same form (gerund phrases).
- Revised Sentence: My parents considered getting a divorce or obtaining a legal separation.
- Explanation: Both "getting a divorce" and "obtaining a legal separation" are now gerund phrases, maintaining parallel structure.

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2. Meaghan was excited by the prospect of visiting Paris, or that she might attend a family reunion in Italy.

- Original Sentence: The sentence uses different structures for the two ideas: "the prospect of visiting Paris" (a noun phrase) and "that she might attend a family reunion in Italy" (a dependent clause).
- Correction: Both ideas should be in the same form (noun phrases).
- Revised Sentence: Meaghan was excited by the prospect of visiting Paris or attending a family reunion in Italy.
- Explanation: Both "visiting Paris" and "attending a family reunion in Italy" are now gerund phrases, maintaining parallelism.

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3. Katherine told me that after school she would practice volleyball, conduct the science experiment, and she would also apply for a job at Starbucks.

- Original Sentence: The sentence lists three actions but uses different structures: "practice volleyball," "conduct the science experiment," and "she would also apply for a job at Starbucks."
- Correction: All actions should be in the same form (infinitive phrases).
- Revised Sentence: Katherine told me that after school she would practice volleyball, conduct the science experiment, and apply for a job at Starbucks.
- Explanation: All three actions are now infinitive phrases, maintaining parallel structure.

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4. Publishing the first edition of the literary magazine and the fact that the editorial staff attended the FCCPA conference in Daytona Beach cost the administration $8000.

- Original Sentence: The sentence lists two items: "Publishing the first edition of the literary magazine" (a gerund phrase) and "the fact that the editorial staff attended the FCCPA conference in Daytona Beach" (a noun clause).
- Correction: Both items should be in the same form (gerund phrases).
- Revised Sentence: Publishing the first edition of the literary magazine and attending the FCCPA conference in Daytona Beach cost the administration $8000.
- Explanation: Both "publishing the first edition" and "attending the FCCPA conference" are now gerund phrases, maintaining parallelism.

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5. The veterinarian examined the lab results, consulted with a colleague, and he also studied the stool specimen under a microscope before meeting with the owner of the expensive bulldog.

- Original Sentence: The sentence lists three actions but uses different structures: "examined the lab results," "consulted with a colleague," and "he also studied the stool specimen under a microscope."
- Correction: All actions should be in the same form (simple past tense verbs).
- Revised Sentence: The veterinarian examined the lab results, consulted with a colleague, and studied the stool specimen under a microscope before meeting with the owner of the expensive bulldog.
- Explanation: All three actions are now simple past tense verbs, maintaining parallel structure.

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6. Kiara’s ability to read complex passages quickly is greater than Sally.

- Original Sentence: The sentence compares "Kiara’s ability" with "Sally," which is not parallel because "Sally" is a person, not an ability.
- Correction: Both sides of the comparison should be in the same form (abilities).
- Revised Sentence: Kiara’s ability to read complex passages quickly is greater than Sally’s ability to do so.
- Explanation: Both "Kiara’s ability" and "Sally’s ability" are now being compared, maintaining parallelism.

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7. After Neil ran home, he thought he would either play basketball or he might also study his piano lessons.

- Original Sentence: The sentence uses different structures for the two options: "play basketball" (an infinitive phrase) and "he might also study his piano lessons" (a complete clause).
- Correction: Both options should be in the same form (infinitive phrases).
- Revised Sentence: After Neil ran home, he thought he would either play basketball or study his piano lessons.
- Explanation: Both "play basketball" and "study his piano lessons" are now infinitive phrases, maintaining parallel structure.

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8. Jasmine not only listens to political speeches; she analyzes them and posts her opinions on Facebook.

- Original Sentence: The sentence lists three actions but uses different structures: "listens to political speeches" (a verb phrase), "analyzes them" (a verb phrase), and "posts her opinions on Facebook" (a verb phrase). While the structures are somewhat parallel, the use of "not only...but also" could improve clarity.
- Correction: Use "not only...but also" to clearly link the parallel actions.
- Revised Sentence: Jasmine not only listens to political speeches but also analyzes them and posts her opinions on Facebook.
- Explanation: The use of "not only...but also" makes the parallel structure clearer and more concise.

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Final Answers:

1. My parents considered getting a divorce or obtaining a legal separation.
2. Meaghan was excited by the prospect of visiting Paris or attending a family reunion in Italy.
3. Katherine told me that after school she would practice volleyball, conduct the science experiment, and apply for a job at Starbucks.
4. Publishing the first edition of the literary magazine and attending the FCCPA conference in Daytona Beach cost the administration $8000.
5. The veterinarian examined the lab results, consulted with a colleague, and studied the stool specimen under a microscope before meeting with the owner of the expensive bulldog.
6. Kiara’s ability to read complex passages quickly is greater than Sally’s ability to do so.
7. After Neil ran home, he thought he would either play basketball or study his piano lessons.
8. Jasmine not only listens to political speeches but also analyzes them and posts her opinions on Facebook.

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Boxed Final Answer:

\boxed{
\begin{aligned}
1. & \text{My parents considered getting a divorce or obtaining a legal separation.} \\
2. & \text{Meaghan was excited by the prospect of visiting Paris or attending a family reunion in Italy.} \\
3. & \text{Katherine told me that after school she would practice volleyball, conduct the science experiment, and apply for a job at Starbucks.} \\
4. & \text{Publishing the first edition of the literary magazine and attending the FCCPA conference in Daytona Beach cost the administration \$8000.} \\
5. & \text{The veterinarian examined the lab results, consulted with a colleague, and studied the stool specimen under a microscope before meeting with the owner of the expensive bulldog.} \\
6. & \text{Kiara’s ability to read complex passages quickly is greater than Sally’s ability to do so.} \\
7. & \text{After Neil ran home, he thought he would either play basketball or study his piano lessons.} \\
8. & \text{Jasmine not only listens to political speeches but also analyzes them and posts her opinions on Facebook.} \\
\end{aligned}
}