Academic Year : 2013-2014

Department :English Language and Literature

Filire :English Studies
Semester : 2, MODULE 6
Course : Writing 2
Facult des Lettres
EFFECTIVE WRITING

IV. ON SENTENCE Parallelism
Parallel Struactures
Information may be presented in any of several
ways,
One way to present information is through a list
or series;
The list or series is labeled a parallel structure
when it contains two or more words / phrases with
the same grammatical function;
Your parallel structures should always satisfy four
general conditions at least.
Pr Afkinich 2 Writing: On Sentence Parallelism
Condition 1: All the words in the parallel structure must have
the same grammatical function
Noun The children played on the swings, slides, and seasaw.
gerunds Reading, writing, speaking, and listening are important skills to
learn
infinitives
After accident, she had to learn how to speak, to write, and to walk again..
verbs
We will speak, listen, read and write in the Spoken English class.
adjectives
Ahmed is interesting, intelligent, and entertaining.
adverbs
This grammatical point should be understood quickly, easily, and well.
subjects
Students trying to pick some acorns from the acorn tree, faculty parking their cars, and
builders unloading building material from trucks are common sights at the faculty of letters this
autumn.
clauses
After The designing of a university course is a compromise of what should be taught,
what can be taught given time constraints, and what the faculty would like to teach.,
she had to learn how to speak, to write, and to walk again..
phrases
For all her years of triumph and tragedy, of glory and ruin, and
of hope and despair, the actress was still able to draw a crowd.
Pr Afkinich
3
Writing: On Sentence Parallelism
Condition 2: Use the correct conjunction
sort
conjunctions
and but or nor
long
conjunctions
bothand not only. but also either or
neither nor whether or
faulty 1.a. She was not only pretty but also knew how to dress well.
2.b. We havent decided whether well go or stay home
revised 1.b. She was not only pretty but also well-dressed.
2.b. We havent decided whether well go or well stay home.
Pr Afkinich 4 Writing: On Sentence Parallelism
Condition 3: Do not miss any necessary
word from the parallel structure.

incorrect
Ahmed run, picked up the pen, and put in
his pocket.
correct
Ahmed run, picked up the pen, and put it in
his pocket.
Pr Afkinich 5 Writing: On Sentence Parallelism
Condition 4: Use Comparison correctly.

incorrect
1.a. I like Ahmeds car better than Soufiane.
2.a. He runs as fast but not faster than his
brother.
correct 1.b. I like Ahmeds car better than
Soufianes.
2.b. He runs as fast as but not faster than
his brother.
Pr Afkinich 6 Writing: On Sentence Parallelism
Exercise 1: Some of the following sentences contain
faulty parallelism. Rephrase the faulty sentences so
that the parallelism will be correctly and logically
expressed.
1. Tourists in our city visit Chellah, spend some time in
Les Oudays, and walking around in the Rbat
Souika.
2. Even though that car is used, it is clean, economical,
and new paint.
3. If you wish to chage your level,you should talk either
to your teacher or your level supervisor.
4. His shoes are much newer than you.
5. That new student is friendly, talkative, and everyone
likes him.

Pr Afkinich 7 Writing: On Sentence Parallelism
6. That is the school where I used to
work and where my sister works now.
7. Many species of African wildlife are in
danger despite new laws and more
people know about the problem.
8. The city map list streets, parks, and
what the tourists like to see.
9. All employees must buy either a
parking sticker or leave their cars at
home.
10. The population of Asia is larger than
Europe.
Pr Afkinich 8 Writing: On Sentence Parallelism
11. If a tenant fails to pay their rent, the
landlord either can change the lock on
the door or enter the apartment and
seize luxury items.
12. The public broadcasting company is
asking people to donate good to the
auction or to give money.
13. Heat the soup for ten minutes and
then you should remove it from the
stove.
14. The contest winner not only receives
ten free records but also dinner in his
favourite restaurant.
Pr Afkinich 9 Writing: On Sentence Parallelism
15. The housing officer will provide
information on how to rent an
apartment and how to give notice
about leaving.
16. It is much easier to adopt a pet than
getting rid of one.
17. The foreman of the jury rose to his
feet, turned toward the judge, and
addresses him quietly.
18. The students asked to speak either to
the chairman or to his second.
Pr Afkinich 10 Writing: On Sentence Parallelism

19. This filling cabinet contains not only
the records of all former students but
also the minutes of all the staff
meetings.
20. That tree is as tall if not taller than the
tree in the park.

Pr Afkinich 11 Writing: On Sentence Parallelism