UCI Extension

Paper-Based TOEFL Workshop

Parallel Structure
Structure and Written Expression Skills 24-26
Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test
Tutorial prepared by Marla Yoshida

Parallel structure
What does parallel mean? In math, two lines that are
exactly the same distance apart all along their lengths are
parallel.
Parallel lines:

In grammar, two things are parallel if they are the same

grammatically:
Dogs and cats make good pets. (Both are nouns.)
We went to the library and borrowed a book. (Both
are verbs in the past tense.)

Parallel structure
In English, in some situations we need parallel structure. That
is, two things have to be the same type of word or the same
form. These sentences use correct parallel structure:
The doctor is kind, caring, and intelligent.
adjective adjective

adjective

(All the samegood!)

You need to go to the DMV and get a drivers license.

verb

verb

(Both the samegood!)

These sentences dont use correct parallel structure. They

incorrectly link two different kinds of things:
The doctor is kind, caring, and a pediatrician.
adjective adjective

noun (Not the sameincorrect)

You need to go to the DMV and getting a drivers license.

verb

verb+ing (Not the same

incorrect!)

Parallel structure with coordinate conjunctions

We can use coordinate conjunctions (especially and, but,
or) to join two or more things. All the things have to be the
same kindall nouns, all past tense verbs, all infinitives, all
clauses, etc.
We can join two nouns:
Students will need paper and a pencil in every class.
Either a pen or a pencil will be fine.
We can join two verbs (with the same form):
You should go to the library and study.
Have you read the book or seen the movie?
(Its OK not to repeat have.)
I took piano lessons but didnt practice often.
(Its OK if one has a negative and the other doesnt.)

Parallel structure with coordinate conjunctions

We can join two adjectives:
The Grand Canyon is beautiful and impressive.
Do you want to see a movie thats funny or sad?
The story was sad but inspiring.
We can join two phrases:
We can eat lunch at home or in a restaurant.
Theres junk on the floor, under the bed, and on the chair.
We can join two clauses:
The children are playing, and their parents are watching.
Do you study because you want to or because you have to?
What he says and what he does are two different things.
Id like to go to Europe, but I cant afford it.
Be sure the things you join are grammatically the same.

Parallel structure with paired conjunctions

Paired conjunctions are two conjunctions that work together in
a pair. These are:
both and
either or

neither nor
not only but also

With paired conjunctions, be careful of two things:

1. Use both halves of the pair together. Dont mix up pairs.
Correct:
He not only cooked dinner, but also washed the dishes.
(Good. Not only and but also fit together.)
Incorrect:
He not only cooked dinner, and washed the dishes.
(Not so good. Not only goes with but also, not and.)

Parallel structure with paired conjunctions

2. Use the same kind of word or structure after both parts of
the pair.
Correct:
I neither know what he wants nor want to find out.
(Good. Know and want are both present tense verbs.)
Incorrect:
I neither know what he wants nor he told me.
(Not so good. Know is a verb, but he told me is a
clause.)

Parallel structure with comparisons

We can make comparisons in several ways. Here are some
expressions that we can use:
Showing a difference:
more ADJECTIVE than
ADJECTIVE-er than
less ADJECTIVE than

Showing a similarity:
as ADJECTIVE as
the same as
similar to

Be sure to use the same type of word before and after the
comparison expression.
Elephants are bigger than mice.
I think chemistry is more interesting than math.
Living at home is less expensive than living in a hotel.
To have friends is more important than to be rich.
What I did on the weekend was the same as what you did.

Parallel structure with comparisons

Some comparisons seem almost right, but the comparison isnt
logical. For example, in this sentence, we want to compare the
population of California with the population of Nevada.
The population of California is bigger than Nevada.
But thats not what the sentence is actually saying. Its comparing
the population of California (a number) with the whole state of
Nevada (a place). Instead, we should say:
The population of California is bigger than the population of
Nevada. OR
The population of California is bigger than that of Nevada.
(That is a pronoun that replaces the population.)
Now were comparing a number with a number. Good.

Parallel structure with comparisons

Heres another example. Whats wrong with this sentence?
The flowers in my garden are as beautiful as the flower shop.
Were comparing flowers with the flower shop. Its better to say:
The flowers in my garden are as beautiful as the flowers in
the flower shop. OR
The flowers in my garden are as beautiful as those in the
flower shop.
People sometimes do say sentences like some of the incorrect
examples given here, but theyre not accepted on the TOEFL or in
formal writing.
Skill 19 and Skills 27-29 also give information about using
comparisons correctly.
1

Summary
In this section, you have learned about these things:
Its important to use parallel structure in certain
situations:
With coordinate conjunctions
With paired conjunctions
With comparisons