Non-parallel structures

1. Is the following sentence acceptable?

(i) I have problems in learning German and to learn English.

2. Let us simplify sentence (i) as follows:

(ii) I have problems in A and B.

3. What is A? _____________________________

4. What is B? ______________________________

5. Complete the following table by writing down element A and element B.

I have problems in _____________________ and _____________________

A B

6. What is the form of the verb in A? _______________________

7. What is the form of the verb in B? _______________________

8. Are they the same? ____________________________

A sentence is NOT parallel if the elements in coordination

do NOT have the same structure.

9. To improve a sentence with non-parallel elements, we have to change either element so that it
becomes the same in structure as the other.

10. Cross out the infinitive to in B, and change the form of the verb so that it is the same as A.

______________________

11. Rewrite the whole sentence by filling in the table below.

I have problems in _____________________ and _____________________

A B

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12. Is the sentence parallel now? ____________________

13. Look at the following sentence

(iii) ? She took up drinking, gambling and smoked cigarettes.

14. Simplify the sentence by replacing the elements in conjunction with A, B and C .

______________________________________________________________

15. Fill in the following table:

She took up _____________, _______________ and _________________

A B C

16. What is the form of A? _____________________________

17. What is the form of B? _____________________________

18. What is the form of C? _____________________________

19. Are they the same? __________________________

20. Which one is different? ____________________________

21. Rewrite it so that it has the same form as the others. _______________________

22. Rewrite the whole sentence by filling in the following table.

She took up _____________, _______________ and _________________

A B C

23. Rewrite the following sentences to eliminate non-parallel elements.

a. Popular exercises include aerobic dancing, lifting weights and jogging.

____________________________________________________________________________

b. She spent all her time working and to do her revision.

____________________________________________________________________________

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 c. He couldn’t decide whether to go into business or taking the job.

____________________________________________________________________________

d. They should be familiar with file maintenance, handling output and trouble-shooting.

____________________________________________________________________________

e. The company was invited to give a proposal for improving the efficiency of the delivery
and maximize the profit.

____________________________________________________________________________

f. We have no difficulties in using and to understand our language.

____________________________________________________________________________

g. I don’t know whether I should telephone her or to go home.

____________________________________________________________________________

h. Walking and to swim are good exercises.

____________________________________________________________________________

i. My favorite winter activities are skiing, reading and to drink herbal tea.

____________________________________________________________________________

j. To chew carefully and eating slowly are necessary for good digestion.

____________________________________________________________________________