Parallel Markers: Sentence is ok? If wrong, what needs to change? Flashcards
The athlete is going to run at top speed, jump, and land hard. OK?
Yes. X, Y, and Z– run, jump, land– all parallel. We don’t need to repeat “going to”.
Andrew, who plays basketball, is smart but moving too slowly. OK?
No. X but Y– “is smart” and “moving” are not parallel. “is smart but moves too slowly” or “is smart but slow” would both be OK.
I want to cook either beef or bake chicken. OK?
No. either X or Y– “cook either beef or chicken” or “either cook beef or bake chicken”
Today, he is working in the basement and the roof. OK?
No. Wrong meaning– we need to say “and on the roof” – logically, he can’t be working IN the roof. However, we could say “working in the basement and kitchen” instead of repeating “working in the basement and in the kitchen”.
He thinks that dogs make the best pets and cats are boring.
No. Need “and that cats are boring” to make it parallel and clear that he thinks both of these things. Without the 2nd “that”, the 2nd half of the sentence makes an independent statement that “cats are boring”, but the intended meaning is HE thinks this.
Researchers have discovered a connection between focus and scoring high on exams.
No. Between X and Y – should be “focusing and scoring” or “focus and high exam scores”
Although we had the worst seats, the movie was still as thrilling to us as the people who had the best seats.
No. This sentence would mean that the movie is as thrilling as the people with the best seats; it should be comparing how thrilling it is to the two groups. We need “as thrilling TO us as TO the people who had the best seats”.
After a tough loss, some athletes choose to hide from the media rather than face painful questions.
Yes. X rather than Y– HIDE and FACE are parallel. Don’t need to repeat “choose to”.
Sufficient rest not only gives you energy, but also making you smarter.
No. Not only X but also Y. Need “Gives” and “Makes”
The project will neither increase employee satisfaction nor improve the company’s brand.
Yes. Neither X nor Y. INCREASE…IMPROVE are parallel.
The store sells the music of a variety of artists, from those who are famous to who are unknown
No. Need “from THOSE WHO are famous to THOSE WHO are unknown”
Our classmates are loud, disruptive, and are obnoxious.
No. “are loud, disruptive, and obnoxious”
The hurricane entered the city from the east, moving quickly across the area, and destroying many buildings.
No. Should all be the same verb type– “entered… moved…. destroyed”
The speaker appealed to both the students as well as to the teachers.
No. Idiom is “both X AND Y”–don’t use “as well.” Also– “the students” and “to the teachers” not parallel. Should be “both the students and the teachers”
In contrast to sprinting, to jog is much easier.
No. In contrast to X, Y. Should be “, jogging is much easier”
