Parallel Gerunds
Using Similar Word Forms in a Series
Using Like Word Forms
| NOT PARALLEL |
|---|
A sentence that is not parallel is said to be "mixing apples with oranges" – good in a fruit salad, but not in writing. |
| INCORRECT |
Alan is very honest, kind and responsibility. |
He enjoys swimming, running and to jog. |
He knows how to travel and where he is traveling in comfort. |
| PARALLEL |
|---|
When mentioning item s in a series, we use the same word form for each item or phrase. This helps a reader or listener to comprehend the information more easily. |
| CORRECT |
Alan is very honest, kind and responsible. |
He enjoys swimming, running and jogging. |
He knows how to travel and where to travel in comfort. |
Common Mistakes
Errors and Solutions
| ERROR | SOLUTION |
|---|---|
We stood in a long line waiting, talking and discussed how to fix this this country.
|
We stood in a long line waiting, talking and discussing how to fix this this country. (Use three similar word forms.)
|
Where we go and how are we going to do it is the question. |
Where will we go and how will we do it are the questions to ask. Where we go and how we do it are two things to consider.
|
* incorrect usage.
Also see: Parallel Phrasing and Pop-Question "Parallel"
Practice 1
Summer Activities
beginning level
Select a parallel word form to complete the sentence.
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "Check 1-8" button at the bottom, or click the "Check" button to the left as you go.
Practice 2
Parallel Phrasing in a Paragraph
intermediate-advanced level
Read for Errors
Having family and support each other is both reassure and necessary for a person to succeed in this world. Coming from a large family and that I am the oldest of the children, I have always had certain responsibilities and duty in the home.
One of my jobs, because I have "the" alarm clock, has been waking up my younger brothers and sisters, make sure they get dressed, and to see that they get downstairs by 7:20a.m. in time for breakfast.
My brother, who is one year younger and very responsibility, and who is tall enough to reach the high shelves in the kitchen, takes down the cereal boxes and putting them on the breakfast table. My second little brother and sister, who are twins. They are always arguing over whose job it is to put the milk and sugar on the table and whose job is it to put them away.
My six-year old sister, who is more mature than my brother who is ten, puts spoons and napkins on the table, never complaining and she always completing her job on time. While we are getting the breakfast table ready, Mom, who will later drive us to our schools, which are nearby. At 7:30a.m., we all sit down to eat, talking and preparation our minds for the day.
I really enjoy our mornings together even though the fighting and squabbling. Ours is a family in which we work hard, cooperatively, and responsibly, and also which we take care and watching out for each other.
see – (1) view, (2) manage (oversee)
reassure (v.) – give confidence
squabble (v.) – engage in small quarrels
"the" alarm clock – there is only one in the family
Edit for errrors.
- Select a response correct or incorrect.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "Check 11-20" button at the bottom, or click the "Check" button to the left as you go.
Also see: Parallel Phrasing