Parallel Power
Which sentence is parallel?
a) Maya likes reading, to swim, and biking. b) Maya likes reading, swimming, and biking.
What is b)?
Rationale: All three items use the same -ing form.
True or False
A semicolon can join two closely related independent clauses.
What is True? Remember, an independent clause is a complete sentence!
A colon can be used for these reasons.
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What is introducing a list, introducing a quotation, or providing a further explanation.
Fix the sentence below.
The program asks students to read carefully, thinking critically, and write clearly.
What is
The program asks students to read carefully, think critically, and write clearly.
What quick test can you use before placing a semicolon between two ideas?
What is - Ask whether both sides can stand alone as complete sentences.
Repair the sentence below.
The technician inspected the wiring, tested the battery, and the brakes were checked.
What is
The technician inspected the wiring, tested the battery, and checked the brakes.
Rationale: All 3 elements use parallel verb phrases.
Punctuate the sentence below.
The evidence strong however the sample was small.
What is: The evidence was strong; however, the sample was small.
Remember the pattern:
independent clause; conjunctive adverb, independent clause
Choose the correct item.
a) Students need: paper, pencils, and folders.
b) Students need three supplies: paper, pencils, and folders.
What is b)?
The words before the colon form a complete sentence (independent clause).
Fix the sentence below.
The data appeared reliable, therefore we decided to go forward with the project.
What is
The data appeared reliable; therefore, we decided to go forward with the project.
What quick test can you use before a colon?
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What is - Ask whether the words before the colon can stand alone as a complete sentence.
What is wrong with this sentence?
The course requires both careful reading and to write clearly.
What is
The paired items are not parallel.
Revise this sentence to "careful reading and clear writing" OR "to read carefully and to write clearly."
Correct or incorrect?
Because the evidence was incomplete; the committee delayed its decision.
What is incorrect?
The material before the semicolon is NOT an independent clause (complete sentence).
Complete with correct punctuation.
The experiment required three materials ___ a thermometer, a time, and a glass container.
What is a colon?
The complete sentence (independent clause) introduces a list.
Fix the sentence below.
The report identified: three problems with the procedure.
What is
The report identified three problems with the procedure. OR
The report identified three problems: cost, timing, and safety.
Colon or semicolon?
The committee reached one conclusion ____ the proposal needed revision.
What is a colon?
This colon is used to introduce a further explanation.
This is when a sentence uses multiple words, phrases, or clauses all of the same type or pattern.
What is parallel structure?
Choose the best punctuation.
The first source supported the claim _____ the second source contradicted it.
a) comma b) semicolon c) colon
What is b) semicolon?
Both sides are closely related independent clauses.
Correct or incorrect?
The witness made one statement: "I saw the car leave at noon."
What is correct?
The complete sentence (independent clause) is followed by a quotation.
Fix the sentence below, then name the skill.
The candidate promised both to review the budget and that she would meet with employees.
What is
The candidate promised both to review the budget and to meet with employees.
This is a question about parallel structure.
What grammatical evidence should you demand for a semicolon?
THIS IS A STUDENT-CREATED ITEM!
The two parts could be written as two separate sentences.
Create a parallel sentence containing three actions a student might take while studying.
Answers will vary.
A semicolon can be used for this one purpose without independent clauses being required.
THIS IS A STUDENT-CREATED ITEM!
What is: to separate items in a list that already contains commas.
Example: I went to South Bend, Indiana; Cleveland, Ohio; and New York, New York.
Repair the sentence below.
The student brought a notebook, a calculator, and a pencil.
The student brought three supplies: a notebook, a calculator, and a pencil.
A colon should only follow a complete sentence (independent clause).
Fix all errors in the sentence below.
The team had one goal: to review the evidence, checking the calculations, and they would revise the conclusion.
What is
The team had one goal: to review the evidence, check the calculations, and revise the conclusion.
Compare: What is the key difference between a colon and a semicolon in usage?
What is - A semicolon links 2 related independent clauses (complete sentences); a colon points forward to information introduced by an independent clause (complete sentence).