Language Arts: Parallel Structure and Sentence Variety
Improving balance, rhythm, and clarity in writing
Language Arts: Parallel Structure and Sentence Variety
Improving balance, rhythm, and clarity in writing
Language Arts - Grade 9-12
- 1
Rewrite this sentence so the items in the series are parallel: Maya enjoys hiking, to swim in lakes, and riding her bike.
Make each item in the list match in form.
One correct revision is: Maya enjoys hiking, swimming in lakes, and riding her bike. All three items now use the same verb form. - 2
Choose the sentence that uses parallel structure correctly and explain why. A: The coach told us to stretch, running laps, and that we should drink water. B: The coach told us to stretch, run laps, and drink water.
Sentence B uses parallel structure correctly. The verbs stretch, run, and drink all match in form, which makes the sentence clear and balanced. - 3
Revise this sentence to fix its lack of parallel structure: The internship taught me how to write professionally, managing my time, and communication with coworkers.
Each item should show something the internship taught you to do.
One correct revision is: The internship taught me how to write professionally, manage my time, and communicate with coworkers. The sentence is now parallel because each skill is expressed as a verb phrase. - 4
Rewrite these two short sentences as one sentence with better variety: The storm grew stronger. The lights went out across the neighborhood.
One correct revision is: As the storm grew stronger, the lights went out across the neighborhood. This combines the ideas into a more varied sentence structure. - 5
Identify the problem in this sentence and revise it: Jordan is not only a talented singer but also writes songs well.
After not only and but also, the matching parts should have the same structure.
The sentence is not parallel because it pairs a noun phrase with a verb phrase. One correct revision is: Jordan is not only a talented singer but also a skilled songwriter. Another correct revision is: Jordan not only sings well but also writes songs well. - 6
Write one complex sentence that combines these ideas: The experiment failed. We changed the procedure. We collected better data the next day.
One correct response is: Although the experiment failed, we changed the procedure and collected better data the next day. This creates sentence variety by combining the ideas into a complex sentence. - 7
Revise this sentence for parallel structure: The article was informative, engaging, and it persuaded many readers.
Make all three descriptions follow the same pattern.
One correct revision is: The article was informative, engaging, and persuasive. The adjectives now match, creating parallel structure. - 8
Read this passage opening: I opened the email. I read the first line. I felt my stomach drop. Rewrite it using sentence variety while keeping the meaning the same.
One correct revision is: When I opened the email and read the first line, I felt my stomach drop. This version varies the sentence pattern and improves flow. - 9
Choose the best revision of this sentence. Original: Students need to learn note-taking, how to manage time, and speaking confidently. A: Students need to learn note-taking, time management, and confident speaking. B: Students need to learn note-taking, managing time, and to speak confidently.
Choice A is the best revision. The items note-taking, time management, and confident speaking are parallel noun phrases, so the sentence is clearer and more consistent. - 10
Revise this sentence so its comparison is parallel: My new job is more demanding than working at the cafe.
Compare the same kind of thing to the same kind of thing.
One correct revision is: My new job is more demanding than my work at the cafe. Another correct revision is: Working at my new job is more demanding than working at the cafe. Both versions make the comparison parallel. - 11
Write a sentence about school that uses a series of three parallel verbs.
One correct response is: Every afternoon, I review my notes, finish my homework, and prepare for the next day. The three verbs review, finish, and prepare create a parallel series. - 12
This paragraph begins with three sentences of the same length and structure: We studied the chapter. We answered the questions. We checked our work. Rewrite the three sentences to create better sentence variety.
Combine some ideas and change where the sentence begins.
One correct revision is: After studying the chapter, we answered the questions and then checked our work. This revision combines the ideas and creates a more varied rhythm. - 13
Identify whether this sentence is parallel. If it is not, revise it: The committee valued honesty, careful planning, and being responsible.
The sentence is not parallel. One correct revision is: The committee valued honesty, careful planning, and responsibility. Now all three items are nouns. - 14
Combine these ideas into one sentence that includes a participial phrase or introductory phrase for variety: The actor stepped onto the stage. The crowd became silent. The performance began.
Begin with a phrase that describes the actor's action.
One correct response is: Stepping onto the stage, the actor silenced the crowd as the performance began. This sentence uses an introductory participial phrase to create variety. - 15
Revise this sentence to improve both parallel structure and style: The speaker was confident, spoke clearly, and her gestures were natural.
One correct revision is: The speaker was confident, clear, and natural in her gestures. Another correct revision is: The speaker spoke confidently, clearly, and naturally. Both revisions create parallel structure and smoother style.