Coordination / Correlative Conjunctions
We could take the bus, or we could walk.
He was tired; ________, he continued working.
He was tired; however, he continued working.
Karl is scheduled to speak at the Monday morning meeting, yet he is on vacation until Tuesday.
Parallel?
The conjunction yet is joining two independent clauses: Karl is scheduled to speak at Monday’s meeting + he is on vacation until Tuesday. The structures are parallel, since both are independent clauses.
What I said or my actions upset everyone in the room.
or what I did
5. Either work today, or you will have to work tomorrow.
Either work today or work tomorrow.
Explanation: Either…or joins two imperative verb phrases: work today / work tomorrow. The original mixed an imperative with a full independent clause.
The movie was long, ___ it was very entertaining.
The movie was long, but it was very entertaining.
He forgot his keys; ___________, he couldn't enter his house.
He forgot his keys; therefore, he couldn't enter his house.
The children enjoyed ice cream and jumping around.
Parallel? Double points if you can explain why.
NO! In this sentence, the coordinating conjunction and joins a noun (ice cream) and a gerund phrase (jumping around). To correct the problem, turn the noun ice cream into the gerund phrase eating ice cream:
She suggested that I write a memoir and to send it to a good publisher.
and send it to ....
She is both happy about the raise and she is nervous about the extra responsibility.
She is both happy about the raise and nervous about the extra responsibility.
Both…and joins two adjective phrases governed by the same linking verb is.
She is ______ intelligent ____ hardworking.
She is both intelligent and hardworking.
16.He didn't have enough money; ________, he couldn't buy the car.
He didn't have enough money; thus, he couldn't buy the car.
BONUS: You can steal 100 points from any team you like.
No one could persuade the little girl to behave nor keep her from running around.
Parallel?
YES! In this sentence, the coordinating conjunction nor joins two main verbs and the words that go with them: persuade the little girl to behave + keep her from running around. The structure is parallel because both elements are verb phrases.
People are paying more now for health insurance but to get less coverage.
are getting less coverage
What do we call a verb treated as a noun that ends in -ing? 100 points if you can answer correctly.
At my training session, I was not only taught how to work the register, but also how to treat customers courteously.
At my training session, I was taught not only how to work the register but also how to treat customers courteously.
Explanation: The paired elements are parallel indirect question structures: how to work… / how to treat…
_______ I like coffee, _______ I like tea.
Not only (do) I like coffee, but also I like tea.
16.The weather was bad; __________, we stayed indoors.
The weather was bad; therefore, we stayed indoors.
The suspect told the officer that he had an alibi and to leave him alone.
NO! In this sentence, the coordinating conjunction and joins a dependent clause (that he had an alibi) and an infinitive phrase (to leave him alone). Therefore, the structure is not parallel. To fix the problem, reword:...
You can steal 100 points from the winning team
We put the pictures and what our itinerary was into the album.
and the itinerary into the album.
Bert will meet us either at the restaurant or he will be at the taxi stand.
Bert will meet us either at the restaurant or at the taxi stand.
Explanation: Either…or joins two prepositional phrases: at the restaurant / at the taxi stand.
________ you study hard _____ you won't pass the test.
Either you study hard or you won't pass the test.
She finished her homework; _________, she went to bed early.
She finished her homework; then, she went to bed early.
For the Christmas party, Claire has agreed to decorate the hall, sew a Santa suit and to bake gingerbread cookies.
Parallel?
NO!In this sentence, the coordinating conjunction and joins a series of infinitive phrases. But the first and last phrase begin with to and the middle one does not. Therefore, the structure is not parallel.
Doing strenuous exercise and poor nutrition habits can lead to illness.
and having poor nutrition habits...
The doctor promised neither to cause pain during the procedure nor leave a scar.
The doctor promised neither to cause pain during the procedure nor to leave a scar.
Explanation: Neither…nor joins two infinitive phrases: to cause pain / to leave a scar.