Name: _________________________________ Date: ___________________________

Parallel Structure Worksheet

Selecting the Right Parallel Structure

Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more
ideas have the same level of importance. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause
level. By balancing the items in a pair or a series so that they have the same kind of
structure, it will make the sentence clearer and easier to read.
Examples: Peter likes the violin, the flute and the trumpet.
She played tennis, had a breakfast and went to college.

Instruction: Select the right parallel structure.

1. John has_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

• a prosperous business, a pretty wife and two lovely children.

• a prosperous business, a pretty wife, and he has two lovely children.

2. Objections were raised

by___________________________________________
• technicians and administrators.
• technicians and administrators also.

3. The children learned_______________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

• to be respectful and attentive to their teachers.

• to be respectful and to be attentive to their teachers.

4. He was known_____________________________________________________
• for his charity and generosity.
• for his charity and generous.

5. This is what they want:______________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________
 • to study hard, to get the highest grades and to get a good job when they
graduate.
• to study hard, to get the highest grades and getting a good job when they
graduate.

6. The doctor advises

him_____________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

• to sleep early, eat healthy food and exercise regularly.

• to sleep early, eat healthy food and to exercise regularly.

7. Jennifer likes_____________________________________________________
• to jog, to swim, and to hike.
• to jog, to swim, and to hike.

8. They were considered to be_________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

• punctual employees because they were never late, they were very loyal,
and very motivated.
• punctual employees because they were never late, they were very loyal and
they were very motivated.

9. The following activities can be done at the

restaurant:___________________

_________________________________________________________________

• eating food and enjoying the company and paying the bill.
• eating food, enjoying the company and a bill payment.

10. In your classroom, you can find the following:__________________________

_________________________________________________________________

• a desk, a blackboard, and a teacher.

• a desk, a blackboard and the teachers.
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Name: _________________________________ Date: ___________________________

Parallel Structure Worksheet

Selecting the Right Parallel Structure
Answer key
Instruction: Select the right parallel structure.

1. John has a prosperous business, a pretty wife and two lovely children.

2. Objections were raised by technicians and administrators.

3. The children learned to be respectful and attentive to their teachers.

4. She was known for her beauty and generosity.

5. This is what they want: to study hard, to get the highest grades and to get a

good job when they graduate.

6. The doctor advises him to sleep early, eat healthy food and exercise regularly.

7. Jennifer likes to jog, to swim, and to hike.

8. They were considered to be punctual employees because they were never

late, they were very loyal, and very motivated.

9. The following activities can be done at the restaurant: eating food and

enjoying the company and paying the bill.

10. In your classroom, you can find the following: a desk, a blackboard, and a

teacher.

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