Parallel Phrasing: joining like items with and and but

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On this page:
Parallel Modifiers
Parallel Verbs
Parallel Phrases
Practice 1
Practice 2

Parallel Phrasing

Joining Like Items with And and But

Choose Parallel Modifiers:

INCORRECT	CORRECT
Mixed word forms adjective - adverb	Parallel word forms adverb - adverb
My English is improving slow but surely.	My English is improving slowly but surely.
*He welcomes us friendly and joyfully. friendly (adj)	He welcomes us in a friendly and joyful manner. (Use in a ... manner to change the adjectives friendly and joyful to parallel adverb phrasing.)

*Yellow highlighting indicates example of incorrect usage.

Choose Parallel Verb Forms:

INCORRECT	CORRECT
Mixed word forms infinitive—gerund	Parallel word forms infinitve—infinitive
*Everyday, I need to write and communicating with others.	Everyday, I need to write and (to) communicate with others.
*I spend time listen and laughing at his talk show.	I spend time listening to and laughing at his talk show. (Also add the preposition.)
*I really like relaxing and enjoy my quiet time.	I really like relaxing and enjoying my quiet time.

laugh at (v.) to laugh because something is silly or stupid

Choose Parallel Phrases:

INCORRECT	CORRECT
Mixed phrase forms: infinitive phrase—noun phrase	Parallel phrase forms: infinitive phrase—infinitive phrase
*How to do that and the time I am doing that is a problem.	How to do that and when to do that is a problem.
*I don't care who it is or the product he is selling, just hang up!	I don't care who it is or what he's selling, just hang up!

Related page: Parallel Gerund Prac

Practice 1

At the Movies

Select from the menu, the word that will give the sentence parallel structure.
Then click the check button to compare your response to the answer.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	CHECK ANSWER
1.	'Star Wars' was one of GeoregeLucas' finest and most movies.
2.	While I watch movies, I eat popcorn and with my family on the couch.
3.	Sitting in a theater and everyone else's reaction is fun too.
4.	A lot of times, during movies people are talking and out jokes.
5.	I like the part in the movie when he walks slowly and towards the alien being.
6.	The little furry man tells every one where to go and there.
7.	ObeWan is understanding, patient and to Luke Skywalker.
8.	Not only do they blow up the space ship, but they also the space colony.
9.	Both he and his navigator fly through flames and oncoming gunfire.
10.	In the end, he either has to kill his own father or by his own father.

Practice 2

Movie Review

Match the word forms within each senentence to create parallel structure.
Then click the check button to compare your response to the answer.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	CHECK ANSWER
11.	"E.T." was both and movie.
12.	I agree. It was and .
13.	E.T. was and at the little girl from inside her closet.
14.	She and at him when she sees him.
15.	The children think that E.T. speaks English but .
16.	The children are and about E.T.'s health.
17.	Soon E.T. looks and .
18.	The children and help.
19.	E.T. wants home and to safety.
20.	and is the story of the movie.