Let's get parallel!

A sentence is parallel when each item that it lists shares the same grammatical structure (part of speech). Writers use parallelism to help readers see connections between ideas and to emphasize particular points.

1. Pick out which sentence is parallel.a) Lisa packed a sweater, doll and a book.b) Lisa packed a sweater, a doll and a book.c) Lisa packed a sweater, a doll and then added a book.
2. Which sentence is parallel?a) Kayo wanted to travel by plane, train and by boat.b) Kayo wanted to travel by plane, by train, and then take a boat.c) Kayo wanted to travel by plane, train and boat.
3. Pick out the sentence with the correct parallel structure.a) He likes flying kites, riding bikes and reading books.b) He likes flying kites, bikes and reading books.c) He likes kite flying, riding bikes and reading books.
4. Choose the sentence that is parallel.a) Marek is a good dancer, hockey player and musician.b) Marek is a good dancer, hockey player, and he can play the violin.c) Marek is good at dancing, playing hockey and music.
5. Choose the sentence with the correct parallel structure.a) The tour group will go to Las Vegas, New York and to Florida.b) The tour group will go to Las Vegas, to New York and Florida.c) The tour group will go to Las Vegas, New York and Florida.
6. Pick out the sentence that is parallel.a) Jack swam, fished, and then he water-skied.b) Jack swam, fished and water-skied.c) Jack swam, fished and then he went water-skiing.
7. Which sentence is parallel in structure?a) He throws sand, he grabs toys, and he runs away.b) He throws sand, he grabs toys, and runs away.c) He throws sand, grabs toys, and he runs away.