INCORRECT: In good English an attempt should be

I like to sing and dancing.
CORRECT:
• I like to sing and to dance.
• I like singing and dancing.
made to make the language as even and
balanced as possible. This balance is called
"parallel structure." You can achieve
parallel structure by making the forms of
words as similar as possible.

• She is not a teacher but a lawyer. Parallel structures are required in the
• The papers are on my desk or in the following situations: (1) with coordinate
drawer. conjunctions; (2) with paired
• Either Jack or Jill has the book. conjunctions; and (3) with comparisons.
• Both the teacher and the students have
the book.
• To be rich is better than to be poor.
• Their car is as big as a small house.
Longman complete TOEFL prep 255

UEG 3rd SB 348—349

Underline the parallel structure in each sentence. Identify the part of
speech and the connector.

1. The old man is extremely kind and generous. adjective and

2. He received a pocket calculator and a wool sweater
for his birthday.
3. She spoke angrily and bitterly about the war.
4. I prefer iced tea to orange juice.
5. I hope to go to that university and study under Dr.
Liu.
6. Neither Jack or Jill has the ticket to the game
tonight
7. In my spare time, I enjoy reading novels or
watching television.
8. This university is bigger than my university.
9. Sugar is as sweet as honey.
10. He should both go to a counselor and talk about
his nightmares.

Advanced Grammar | English Literature Program – FBS, UKSW 26

(a) Steve and his friend are coming
to dinner.
(b) Susan raised her hand and
snapped her fingers.
and
(c) He is waving his arms and (is)
but
shouting at us. same structure same structure
or
(d) These shoes are old but
nor
comfortable.
(e) He wants to watch TV or (to)
listen to some music.

(f) Steve, Joe, and Alice are coming

to dinner.
(g) Susan raised her hand, snapped and
her fingers, and asked a same same but same
question. structure structure(,) or structure
(h) The colors in that fabric are red, nor
gold, black, and green.

INCORRECT: Steve, and Joe are Note: no commas are used if there are only two
coming to dinner. parts to a parallel structure.

(i) He was tired, so he went to bed
(j) The child hid behind his
mother’s skirt, for he was afraid
of the dog.
(k) He did not study, yet he passed
the exam.
In addition to and, but, and not, three other
conjunctions are used to connect two independent
clauses:
so (meaning therefore, as a result)
for (meaning because)
yet (meaning but, nevertheless)
A comma almost always precedes so, for, and yet
when they are used as conjunctions.

UEG 3rd SB 248; Longman complete TOEFL prep 257

Longman Complete TOEFL Prep 257

Indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I). Underline the parts
that should be parallel.

1. She held jobs as a typist, a housekeeper, and in a restaurant.

2. The report you are looking for could be in the file or on the desk.

3. She works very hard but usually gets below-average grades.

4. The speaker introduces himself, told several interesting anecdotes, and finishing
with an emotional plea.

Advanced Grammar | English Literature Program – FBS, UKSW 27

5. You should know when the program starts and how many units you must compete.

6. The term paper he wrote was rather short but very impressive.

7. She suggested taking the plane this evening or that we go by train tomorrow.

8. The dean or the assistant dean will inform you of when and where you should apply
for your diploma.

9. There are papers to file, reports to type, and those letters should be answered.

10. The manager needed a quick but thorough response.

UEG 3rd SB 350

Combine the given sentences into one concise sentence that contains
parallel structure. Punctuate carefully.

1. Mary opened the door. Mary greeted her guests.

➔ Mary opened the door and greeted her guests.
2. Alice is kind. Alice is generous. Alice is trustworthy.

3. Please try to speak more loudly. Please try to speak more clearly.

4. He gave her flowers on Sunday. He gave her candy on Monday. He gave her a ring on
Tuesday.

5. While we were in New York, we attended an opera. While we were in New York, we
ate at marvelous restaurants. While we were in New York, we visited some old
friends.

6. I am looking forward to going to Italy. I am looking forward to eating wonderful

pasta every day.

7. I should have finished my homework. I should have cleaned up my room.

8. He preferred to play baseball. Or he preferred to spend his time in the streets with
other boys.

9. I like coffee. I do not like tea.

10. I have met his mother. I have not met his father.

Advanced Grammar | English Literature Program – FBS, UKSW 28

 (a) The research project will take
both time and money.
and
(b) I’ll take either chemistry or Both
or
physics next quarter. either same same
nor
(c) That book is neither neither structure structure
but
interesting nor accurate. not only
also
(d) Yesterday it not only rained
but (also) snowed.

(e) Both my mother and my
sister are here.
(f) Neither my mother nor my
sister is here.
(g) Either my sister or my
parents are here.
(h) Not only my mother but also
my sister is here.
(i) Not only my sister but also
my parents are here.
Two subjects connected by both ... and take a
plural verb, as in (e).
When two subjects are connected by not only
... but also, either ...or, or neither ... nor,
the subject that is closer to the verb determines
whether the verb is singular or plural.

Longman Complete TOEFL Prep 258

Indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I). Underline the parts
that should be parallel.

1. According to the syllabus, you can either write a paper or you can take an exam.

2. It would be both noticed and appreciated if you could finish the work before your
leave.

3. She would like neither to see movie or to go bowling.

4. Either the manager or her assistant can help you with your refund.

5. She wants not only to take a trip to Europe but she also would like to travel to Asia

6. He could correct neither what you said not you wrote.

7. Both the tailor and the laundress could fix the damage to the dress.

8. He not only called the police department but also called the fire department.

9. You can graduate either at the end of the fall semester or you can graduate at the
end of the spring semester.

10. The movie was neither amusing nor was it interesting.

Advanced Grammar | English Literature Program – FBS, UKSW 29

 UEG 3rd SB 355
Combine the following into sentences that contain parallel structure. Use
both ... and; not only ... but also; either ... or; neither ... nor.

1. He does not have a pen. He does not have paper.

➔ He has neither a pen nor paper.

2. Ron enjoys horseback riding. Bob enjoys horseback riding.

3. The library doesn’t have the book I need. The bookstore doesn’t have the book I
need.

4. Arthur is absent. Pam is absent.

5. We can fix dinner for them here, or we can take them to a restaurant.

6. The leopard faces extinction. The tiger faces extinction.

7. We could fly, or we could take the train.

8. The President’s assistant will not confirm the story. The President’s assistant will not
deny the story.

9. Small pox is a dangerous disease. Malaria is a dangerous disease.

10. Coal is an irreplaceable natural resource. Oil is an irreplaceable natural resource

FN
Each sentence below contains at least one error. Test your skill by finding
and correcting as many of these errors as possible.

1. When I refused to help her, she became very angry and shout at me.

2. My home offers me a feeling of security, warm, and love.

3. The whole place was deserted; you couldn’t see nothing but sand.

4. I admire him because of his kindness and patience, and he is gentle.

5. He likes to come up behind me and tickles me.

Advanced Grammar | English Literature Program – FBS, UKSW 30

6. She asked me a question, but I couldn’t say nothing. I just stood there with my
mouth open.

7. As a child, he labored with his father to clear away the forest and planting crops.

8. By obeying the speed limit, we can save energy, lives, and it costs us less.

9. He doesn’t know how much we love him and adoring him.

10. In my spare time, I enjoy taking care of my aquarium and to work on my stamp
collection.

• My school is bigger than your

school.
• This car is as expensive as that car. comparative
• Renting those apartments cost same as . . . as same
about the same as leasing them. structure the same as structure
• The work that I did is similar to the similar to
work that you did.

Longman Complete TOEFL Prep 259

Indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I). Underline the parts
that should be parallel.

1. His research for the thesis was more useful than hers.

2. Dining in a restaurant is more fun than to eat at home.

3. I want a new secretary who is as efficient as the previous one.

4. What you do today should be the same as did yesterday.

5. This lesson is more difficult than we had before.

6. You have less homework than they do.

7. What you do has more effect than what you say.

8. Music in your country is quite similar to my country.

9. The collection of foreign journals in the university library is more extensive than the
high school library.

10. How to buy a used car can be as difficult as buying a new car.

Advanced Grammar | English Literature Program – FBS, UKSW 31

 Longman Complete TOEFL Prep 260
Decide is each sentence is CORRECT or INCORRECT. Underline the parts
that should be parallel.

1. After retirement he plans on traveling to exotic locations, dine in the finest

restaurants, and playing a lot of golf.

2. She was both surprised by and pleased with the seminar.

3. What came after the break was even more boring than had come before.

4. He would find the missing keys neither under the bed or behind the sofa.

5. Depending on the perspective of the viewer, the film was considered laudable,
mediocrity, or horrendous.

6. He exercised not only in the morning, but he also exercised every afternoon.

7. Working four days per week is much more relaxing than working five days per week.

8. Sam is always good-natured, generous, and helps you.

9. Either you have to finish the project, or the contract will be canceled.

10. The courses that you are required to take are more important than the courses that
you choose.

Longman Complete TOEFL Prep 260—261

Choose the correct the word or group of words that best completes the
sentence.

1. Truman Capote's In Cold Blood is 3. A baby's development is influenced

neither journalistically accurate by both heredity and _____ .
_____ . a) by environmental factors
a) a piece of fiction b) environmentally
b) nor a fictitious work c) the influence of the environment
c) or written in a fictitious way d) environment
d) nor completely fictitious

2. Vitamin C is necessary for the

prevention and _____ of scurvy.
a) it cures
b) cures
c) cure
d) for curing

Advanced Grammar | English Literature Program – FBS, UKSW 32

4. Because bone loss occurs earlier in 5. The legal systems of most countries
women than _____ , the effects of can be classified _____ common
osteoporosis are more apparent in law or civil law.
women. a) as either
a) men do b) either as
b) in men c) either to
c) as men d) to either
d) similar to men

Longman Complete TOEFL prep 260—261

Choose the underlined word or group of words that is INCORRECT.

1. Fire extinguishers can contain liquefied gas, dry chemicals, or watery.

2. The U.S. Congress consists of both the Senate as well as the House of
Representatives.

3. The prison population in this state, now at an all time high, is higher than any state.

4. A well-composed baroque opera achieves a delicate balance by focusing alternately

on the aural, visual, emotional, and philosophy elements.

5. Manufacturers may use food additives for preserving, to color, to flavor, or to fortify
foods.

6. A bankruptcy may be either voluntary nor involuntary.

Advanced Grammar | English Literature Program – FBS, UKSW 33

 http://shortstoriesshort.com/story/the-owl-and-the-nightingale/
There are six incorrect parallel structures in this story.
Find and correct the errors.

THE OWL AND THE NIGHTINGALE

(1) Once, there was an Owl who lived in an old, broken-down temple. (2) The

temple had a large library and full of books about literature, religion, and

historical. (3) The Owl studied these books all day. (4) As time passed, he

grew very proud of his knowledge. (5) Now, he believed that he was the most

intelligent of all creatures. (6) Thus, the Owl read the library’s books every

day, and then pretending to be lost in deep, wisdom thoughts.

(7) One such day, the Owl was sitting on a tree, outside the temple,

with his eyes half closed. (8) Suddenly, a Nightingale came and sitting on the

same tree. (9) Soon, she began singing in her sweet voice. (10) At once, the

Owl opened his eyes and saying to the Nightingale, “O proud Nightingale,

stop your song! Do you not see that I am thinking of wise things? (11) Your

silly song is disturbing me!” (12) To this, the Nightingale replied, “My dear

Owl, you are fool and stupid! (13) You think that you will become learned

just by reading some books and pretend to be wise? (14) Only the intelligent

know how sweet my songs are. (15) Only, they can truly admire my voice.”

Advanced Grammar | English Literature Program – FBS, UKSW 34