Parallel Structure - 9+ Examples, Format, Pdf - Free Printable

Problem: Parallel Structure Exercise 3

The task is to choose the option that maintains parallel structure in each sentence. Parallel structure means using consistent grammatical forms (e.g., verbs, nouns, phrases) when listing items or actions.

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Solution:

#### Question 1:
Sentence:
When Delores realized that her father had made lima beans and rice for dinner, she ________, claimed to feel nauseous, and excused herself from the table. The bag of stale popcorn in her room would tide her over until breakfast.

Options:
A. clutched her stomach
B. was clutching her stomach
C. did clutch her stomach

Analysis:
- The sentence lists three actions performed by Delores:
1. "claimed to feel nauseous"
2. "excused herself from the table"
3. The missing action should be in the same form as these two.
- Both "claimed" and "excused" are simple past tense verbs.
- Option A ("clutched her stomach") is also in the simple past tense, maintaining parallelism.
- Option B ("was clutching her stomach") uses the past continuous tense, which does not match the simple past tense of the other actions.
- Option C ("did clutch her stomach") is an awkward construction and unnecessary here.

Correct Answer: A. clutched her stomach

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#### Question 2:
Sentence:
Not only did Hank despise the way June chewed with her mouth open, ________ finding her wet towels all over the bathroom floor.

Options:
A. but also disliked
B. but also disliking
C. but he also disliked

Analysis:
- The sentence uses a parallel structure with the phrase "not only... but also."
- The verb "despise" is in the simple past tense. To maintain parallelism, the verb after "but also" should also be in the simple past tense.
- Option A ("but also disliked") matches the simple past tense of "despise."
- Option B ("but also disliking") uses the present participle (-ing form), which does not match the simple past tense.
- Option C ("but he also disliked") introduces an extra subject ("he"), which disrupts the parallel structure.

Correct Answer: A. but also disliked

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#### Question 3:
Sentence:
To protect her delicate hands, Fran will not rake the yard, do the dishes, or ________.

Options:
A. refuses to scrub the bathtub
B. won't scrub the bathtub
C. scrub the bathtub

Analysis:
- The sentence lists three activities that Fran will avoid:
1. "rake the yard"
2. "do the dishes"
3. The missing activity should be in the same form as these two.
- Both "rake" and "do" are base verbs (infinitive forms).
- Option A ("refuses to scrub the bathtub") uses a full verb phrase ("refuses to"), which does not match the base verb forms of the other activities.
- Option B ("won't scrub the bathtub") uses a contraction ("won't"), which is inconsistent with the base verb forms.
- Option C ("scrub the bathtub") is a base verb, matching the form of "rake" and "do."

Correct Answer: C. scrub the bathtub

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Final Answers:

1. A. clutched her stomach
2. A. but also disliked
3. C. scrub the bathtub

Boxed Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{A, A, C}
\]