RAHMI FHONNA, MA

VERB PATTERN AND

PARALLELISM
  Some verbs are followed directly by to – infinitive and do not need
object (agree – aim – appear – arrange – attempt – be able – be likely
– claim – decide – deserve – fail – hope – manage – offer – plan –
promise, etc)

Ex = I decided to do this job

Was she care something you always hoped to do?

 Some verbs are always followed by an object + to – infinitive (advice

– allow – encourage – force – get – persuade – remind – teach – tell –
warn)
Verb + to Ex = This course has taught me to respect all of people (not this
Infinitive course has taught to respect)

I just told him to be quiet

 Some verbs can be used with or without an object + to – infinitive

(ask – choose – dare – expect – help – intend – need – prefer – prepare
– want)

Ex = I didn’t want to touch the snakes

They wanted us to touch the snakes

  Some verbs are followed by –ing (avoid – approve of –
practice – enjoy – finish – mind – recommend – put off –
suggest – keep, etc)
Ex = I don’t mind cleaning out the animals and feeding
Verb (+ them

preposition) + We have practiced handling animals

-ing
 When a verb is followed by a preposition (except to) then the
following verb is always -ing
Ex = I was thinking about doing another course
  Some verbs are followed by either to-infinitive or –
ing with little difference in meaning (attempt –
hate – like – continue – begin – bother – prefer –
start – love)

Verb + to Ex = I like feeding the animals

Infinitive or - I have started working at a pet shop

ing  Would like/ would love/ would prefer are followed

by the to-infinitive
Ex = I’d prefer to stop studying for a while
I’d really like to work at the bank
  The verbs used (feel – hear – help – let – make – notice – see –
watch)
make and let are always followed by an object + infinitive
without to
Ex = They let us take it slowly
Verb + They made us handle all animals at once
object +
Infinitive  When make is used in the passive form, we use the to

without to infinitive
Ex = I was made to handle all these animals

 Help can be followed by an infinitive with or without to

Ex = the course helped me understand my own dog better
EXERCISES
 Parallel sentence elements in grammar are just like parallel lines
in geometry: they face the same direction and never meet.
More precisely, in grammar, it’s less about meeting and more
about balance. Parallelism in grammar is defined as two or
more phrases or clauses in a sentence that have the same
grammatical structure.
Parallelism is often referred to as one of the basic principles of
grammar and rhetoric, and you’ll see its use throughout
literature. Parallelism has slightly different meanings,

Parallelism depending on the context, but it’s about balancing the weight or
structure of ideas and phrases. In rhetoric, parallelism means
balancing two or more ideas or arguments that are equally
important. In grammar, it means using phrasing that is
grammatically similar or identical in structure, sound, meaning,
or meter. As you can see from literary examples, this technique
adds symmetry, effectiveness, and balance to the written piece.

Parallelism uses similar words, phrases, or clauses to show

that ideas have the same level of importance. This structure
improves readability by giving a natural flow to a written work.
 LACKING PARALLELISM

"She likes cooking, jogging, and to read."

"He likes baseball and running."

"The dog ran across the yard, jumped over the
fence, and sprinted away."

PARALLEL

Compare "She likes cooking, jogging, and reading."

"She likes to cook, jog, and read."

"He likes playing baseball and running."

"He likes to play baseball and to run."
"The dog ran across the yard, jumped over the fence, and
sprinted down the alley."
The Why
A sentence with parallel construction makes your writing effective, classy, and certain to impress
anyone who reads your stuff.
The How
Here’s a handy trick for testing parallelism: rewrite the sentence for each element that should be
parallel. For example:
A sentence with parallel construction makes your writing effective. A sentence with parallel construction
makes your writing classy. A sentence with parallel construction makes your writing certain to impress
anyone who reads your stuff.
Effective, classy, and certain are all adjectives. Even though “certain to impress anyone who reads your
stuff” is a mouthful compared to the other two, each sentence element is the same part of speech. That
makes the sentence balanced, and therefore, parallel.
The What
Lack of parallelism can happen in a lot of ways, but the mistake is usually clear enough to make you
wince when you hear it. Read on for the most common parallelism problems you’ll encounter—and how
to avoid them.
 1. Espinoza's style was remarkable for its dexterity, grace, and she
could play any position.
 Espinoza's style was remarkable for its dexterity, grace, and
versatility. [Now we have three nouns, not two nouns and a
clause.]

2. Raoul's motivation to succeed in this program seems to be

greater than his sister.
 Raoul's motivation to succeed in this program seems to be
greater than his sister's. [We have to compare Raoul's
Other motivation to his sister's motivation, not to his sister.]

Examples 3. Three of the great Indian nations in the Central Plains are the
Cherokee, the Choctaw, and Comanche.
 Three of the great Indian nations in the Central Plains are the
Cherokee, the Choctaw, and the Comanche. [Use the article
"the" consistently for each noun.]

4. Either you will begin to study now or risk failing the exam.
 You will either begin studying now or risk failing the exam.
[Either "this" or "that," not Either _clause_ or "that."] Another
student suggests that "Either begin studying now or risk failing
the exam." is tighter and carries a greater sense of urgency.
 1. The college has space for a new computer lab but not a faculty lounge.
 The college has space for a new computer lab but not for a faculty lounge. [Use
the preposition "for" consistently.]

2. Her conditions for signing the contract are, first, the commissioner has to
approve the terms; second, that the other players must sign as well.
 Her conditions for signing the contract are, first, that the commissioner must
approve the terms; second, that the other players must sign as well. [Use the
"that clause" construction consistently.] Or [another, better rendering] Her
conditions for signing the contract are, first, that the commissioner must
approve the terms, and second, that the other players have to sign.

3. Carlos wasted his first year at college by not studying enough and spending too

Other much time at parties.

 Carlos wasted his first year at college by studying too little and partying too

Examples much.

4. We have no doubt about her care and interest in the proposal.

 We have no doubt about her care for and interest in the proposal. [We cannot
say "care in," so we must provide the proper idiomatic expression, "care for."]

5. The students prepared for their exams at home, they spent extra hours with
their tutors, they did the necessary research in the library, and asked questions in
their classrooms.
 The students prepared for their exams at home, they spent extra hours with
their tutors, they did the necessary research in the library, and they asked
questions in their classrooms. [they verb, they verb, and they verb.] OR The
students prepared for their exams at home, spent extra hours with their tutors,
did the necessary research in the library, and asked questions in their classes.
 EXERCISES
One item in each of the groups is not parallel to the others. Cross it out, and then substitute it with
an item that is parallel with the rest of the group.

1. Swimming – Biking – Paddle – Running

2. Blue – Banana – Red – Purple
3. Watched – Ate – Slept – Drive
4. Reading carefully – Biking slowly – Jumping quickly – To stand
5. Toronto – Yukon – Manitoba – Nova Scotia
Using parallel words or phrases, complete each of the following sentences.
Answers will vary, of course, but you'll find sample responses listed below.

Example:
Merdine danced a jig and then _____ a song that took my heart away.
Merdine danced a jig and then sang a song that took my heart away.
1. The children spent the afternoon playing video games, watching TV, and _____ donuts.
2. To make a great tomato sandwich, begin by toasting two pieces of whole-wheat bread and
_____ a sweet onion.
3. Giving is better than _____.
4. People can hurt others not only by their actions but also by their _____.
5. Examples of weight-bearing exercises include walking, jogging, hiking, and _____.
6. My favorite pastimes include napping, snacking, and _____ _____.
7. I look forward to graduating from high school in May and _____ college in the fall.
8. If you want to learn how to play video games, watch TV, or _____ donuts, spend an
afternoon with my children.
9. Whatever you have, you must either use it or _____ it.
10. It is easier to build strong children than to _____ broken adults.