Parallel Structures - Free Printable

Task: Identify the part of each sentence that is not parallel with its other parts and choose the correct sentences using parallel structure.

#### Step 1: Understanding Parallel Structure
Parallel structure means that items in a series or list should have the same grammatical form. For example:
- Correct: I like reading, writing, and dancing.
- Incorrect: I like reading, writing, and to dance. (The forms are not consistent.)

#### Step 2: Analyze Each Sentence

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1. While on vacation, I often relax by reading one of my favorite books, go to the movies, or swimming in the pool.
- Analysis: The verbs "relax," "go," and "swimming" are not in the same form. "Relax" and "go" are infinitives, but "swimming" is a gerund.
- Part that is not parallel: "swimming"
- Corrected: While on vacation, I often relax by reading one of my favorite books, going to the movies, or swimming in the pool.

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2. The students completed the math assignment, practiced the spelling words, were studying the science terms, and finished the English story.
- Analysis: The verbs "completed," "practiced," "were studying," and "finished" are not in the same form. "Completed" and "practiced" are past tense, "were studying" is past continuous, and "finished" is past tense.
- Part that is not parallel: "were studying"
- Corrected: The students completed the math assignment, practiced the spelling words, studied the science terms, and finished the English story.

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3. I enjoy hiking, swimming and to fish.
- Analysis: The forms "hiking," "swimming," and "to fish" are not consistent. "Hiking" and "swimming" are gerunds, but "to fish" is an infinitive.
- Part that is not parallel: "to fish"
- Corrected: I enjoy hiking, swimming, and fishing.

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4. Joey is studying, music, dance, and how to make art.
- Analysis: The items "studying," "music," "dance," and "how to make art" are not in the same form. "Studying" is a gerund, "music" and "dance" are nouns, and "how to make art" is a phrase.
- Part that is not parallel: "studying"
- Corrected: Joey is interested in studying, music, dance, and making art.

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5. Omar is a talented reader, is good at speaking, and writer.
- Analysis: The forms "a talented reader," "is good at speaking," and "writer" are not consistent. "A talented reader" and "writer" are noun phrases, but "is good at speaking" is a verb phrase.
- Part that is not parallel: "is good at speaking"
- Corrected: Omar is a talented reader, speaker, and writer.

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6. I picked up my things, run out the door, got in my car, and drove off.
- Analysis: The verbs "picked up," "run," "got," and "drove" are not in the same form. "Picked up," "got," and "drove" are past tense, but "run" is present tense.
- Part that is not parallel: "run"
- Corrected: I picked up my things, ran out the door, got in my car, and drove off.

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#### Step 3: Choose the Sentence That Uses Parallel Structure Correctly

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7. Choose the sentence that uses parallel structure correctly.
- A. She will either go to the party or stay home and rest.
- Analysis: "Go to the party" and "stay home and rest" are not parallel because "stay home and rest" is a compound action, while "go to the party" is a single action.
- Incorrect.

- B. He not only completed his homework but also his chores.
- Analysis: "Completed his homework" and "his chores" are not parallel because "his chores" lacks a verb.
- Incorrect.

- C. Not only did Tom miss the practice neither did he make the game.
- Analysis: This sentence has incorrect grammar ("neither did he make the game") and is not parallel.
- Incorrect.

- Correct Answer: None of the options are perfectly parallel. However, if we had to choose the least problematic, B is closer because it at least maintains a similar structure, even though it is missing a verb for "his chores."

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8. Choose the sentence that uses parallel structure correctly.
- A. I am not only baking cookies but also brownies.
- Analysis: "Baking cookies" and "brownies" are not parallel because "brownies" is a noun, while "baking cookies" is a gerund phrase.
- Incorrect.

- B. He either decided to run the race or volunteer.
- Analysis: "Decided to run the race" and "volunteer" are not parallel because "volunteer" is a bare infinitive, while "decided to run the race" is a full infinitive phrase.
- Incorrect.

- C. Neither my mother nor my father can watch my game.
- Analysis: "My mother" and "my father" are both nouns, and "can watch my game" is consistent for both.
- Correct.

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#### Final Answers:

1. Part that is not parallel: swimming
2. Part that is not parallel: were studying
3. Part that is not parallel: to fish
4. Part that is not parallel: studying
5. Part that is not parallel: is good at speaking
6. Part that is not parallel: run

7. Correct sentence: None of the options are perfectly parallel.
8. Correct sentence: C. Neither my mother nor my father can watch my game.

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Boxed Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{
\text{1. swimming, 2. were studying, 3. to fish, 4. studying, 5. is good at speaking, 6. run, 7. None, 8. C}
}
\]