Understanding Coordination and Parallelism in Sentence Structure
This informative content delves into the concepts of coordination and parallelism in sentence structure, highlighting coordinating conjunctions, different types of conjunctions, examples of parallel structure, and the importance of maintaining parallelism in lists, series, comparisons, and contrasting elements. It also covers examples of noun phrases, dependent clauses, and independent clauses to enhance your understanding of these key elements in grammar.
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Coordinating conjunctions: conjunctions that link independent parts of sentences E.g. and, but, or We built a new snow fort and threw snowballs Robbie is mean, and I am not going to play with him anymore.
COORDINATION Most coordinations in a sentence result from compounding one or more of the sentence parts (the smallest units in a sentence) E.gs. (compounded subject) Gino s father and my uncle flew helicopters in Vietnam. (compounded predicate) The kids played outdoors all morning, but stayed inside all afternoon. (compounded direct object) He usually drinks a cappuccino or a latte before class.
Some Other Conjunctions For (can be either coordinating or subordinating) Yet / So (conjunctive adverbs like however) Neither / either (correlative conjunction) Normally a comma is not used with a coordinating conjunction when it joins a two-part compound within a sentence, but there are some exceptions: I didn t believe her, and said so. (special emphasis) The running back charged ahead, but missed the goal line by an inch. (introducing a contrast)
PARALLELISM A Coordinate structure is parallel only when the parts (when combined) are of the same form. Parallelism is required in lists and series; in compound structures; every kind of comparison, including those using than or as; contrasting elements. Parallel structures are usually connected with and, but, or, or nor and may be groups of single words (nouns, adjectives, verbs, etc.) or phrases or clauses within a sentence or headings within a document.
Some examples of parallel structure Subject of the sentence as nouns Depression and aggression are behaviors that many abused children exhibit. Prepositional phrase In love as in war, no holds are barred. Infinitive phrase I couldn t decide whether to pay my rent, to buy food, or to go to the movies.
Noun phrase: He had no time for school and no money for fun. Dependent clauses: Michiko told the judge that she had been pulled out of a line of fast-moving traffic and that she had a perfect driving record. Independent clauses: In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current.
Now, look at the following sentence. Is there parallelism? Her complaints were boring, childish, and showed how ignorant she was. NO! The correct version: Her complaints were boring, childish, and ignorant. What about this sentence? She worked late in the evening not only to catch up on her studies, but also writing her paper. NO! The correct version: She worked hard late in the evening not only to catch up on her studies, but also to write her paper.
Coordination of the Series-- Punctuation If three or more components are present, we use a comma to separate the parallel coordinate elements: Among the lands on the frozen fringes of the Arctic Ocean are Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. If there are two, no commas: Among the lands on the frozen fringes of the Arctic Ocean are Alaska and Canada.
Exercise Underline the parallel structures and correct them. 1. Ireland s mountains are lush, green, and people find them attractive.
1. Irelands mountains are lush, green, and people find them attractive. Ireland s mountains are lush, green, and attractive.
2. seafood, clean air, and the beaches are really pretty. The coast has great
2. The coast has great seafood, clean air, and the beaches are really pretty. The coast has great seafood, clean air and pretty beaches.
3. Trevors eyesight causes him to squint when he reads the paper, and he has to almost close his eyes when he looks at the clock.
3. Trevors eyesight causes him to squint when he reads the paper, and he has to almost close his eyes when he looks at the clock. Trevor s eyesight causes him to squint when he reads the paper and when he looks at the clock.
4. These novels were banned in Europe during the 1940 s and they were burned during the same period.
4. These novels were banned in Europe during the 1940 s and they were burned during the same period. These novels were banned and burned in Europe during the 1940 s.
5. Her decision to move to New York reflected her new-found independence and she had a new perspective on life.
5. Her decision to move to New York reflected her new-found independence and she had a new perspective on life. Her decision to move to New York reflected her new-found independence and her new perspective on life.
6. I want to learn how to fly a plane, be a captain of a yacht, and how to speak Spanish.
6. I want to learn how to fly a plane, be a captain of a yacht, and how to speak Spanish. I want to learn how to fly a plane, to captain a yacht, and to speak Spanish.
7. Her critique of the play seemed innovative and to challenge us.
7. Her critique of the play seemed innovative and to challenge us. Her critique of the play seemed innovative and challenging to us.
8. Oliver has great taste in wines and he knows which foods are really good, too.
8. Oliver has great taste in wines and he knows which foods are really good, too. Oliver has great taste in wines and in food.
9. The resort has an excellent view of the lake for tourists, a landscaped track for joggers, and a luxurious yacht for people who like to snorkel.
9. The resort has an excellent view of the lake for tourists, a landscaped track for joggers, and a luxurious yacht for people who like to snorkel. The resort has an excellent view of the lake for tourists, a landscaped track for joggers, and a luxurious yacht for snorkelers.
Coordination with Correlative Conjunctions both and not only but also either or neither nor Such correlatives change the rhythm and focus of the sentence! E.g. Individuals and nations must learn to think about the environment. Both individuals and nations must learn to think about the environment. Use of both in the 2nd sentence shifts the emphasis from the predicate to the subject!
not only but also. As citizens of this global village, we must be concerned not only with our own health and safety but with the needs of others as well. As citizens of this global village, we must be concerned not only with our own health and safety but also with the needs of others. In the 2nd sentence the main focus is on also , not on others
neither nor / either or Neither individuals nor nations can afford to ignore what is happening to the environment. I should either spend more time studying or get a part-time job. Either I should spend more time studying, or I should get a part-time job. Don t forget parallelism here! I will either take the train or the bus. Verb Ph Noun Ph I will take either the train or the bus. Noun Ph Noun Phr
Subject-Verb Agreement The issue whether the subject of the sentence agrees with the predicate. E.g. My friends and relatives are coming to the wedding. Subject Predicate My mother was at the cinema last night. Subject Predicate My sister and brother are sleeping. Subject Predicate
neither nor / either or: Either the president or the vice president is going to introduce the speaker. Neither the speaker nor the listeners were intimidated by the protestors. Either the class officers or the faculty adviser makes the final decision. Either the faculty adviser or the class officers make the final decision.
Subject with a phrase (in addition to & along with) The sidewalk, in addition to the driveway, needs to be repaired. The sidewalk and the driveway need to be repaired. Mike, along with his friend Emilio, often helps out at the bakery on weekends. Mike and his friend Emilio often help out at the bakery on weekends.
Other Subject/Verb Agreements: The schedule of course and classes often bewilders new students. There is/are There were only fifteen children in the classroom. Collective nouns The faculty is hired in August for the next semester. Everyone Everyone works hard on this project.
Pronouns like none, enough, more, most, some, all, or half Enough of the stew was spilled to make a stain. Enough of the people were present to vote. False plurals Words like statistics, mathematics, economics and measles, news, etc are always singular The news is really bad. Relative pronouns It is good service that makes a restaurant great.
Exercise Choose the correct verb. 1. The daredevil among the teenagers (scares, scare) most parents. 1. The daredevil among the teenagers (scares, scare) most parents. 2. The dragon or the king (wins, win) the battle. 2. The dragon or the king (wins, win) the battle. 3. The many guidelines for the paper (causes, cause) confusion among students. 3. The many guidelines for the paper (causes, cause) confusion among students. 4. One of the files (is, are) missing. 4. One of the files (is, are) missing.
5. The main concern of swimmers who like to snorkel and scuba dive in the islands (is, are) predatory fish. 5. The main concern of swimmers who like to snorkel and scuba dive in the islands (is, are) predatory fish. 6. None of the protestors (was, were) arrested. 6. None of the protestors (was, were) arrested. 7. The profit from owning your own car dealership and credit bureau (makes, make) you think twice before investing. 7. The profit from owning your own car dealership and credit bureau (makes, make) you think twice before investing. 8. Jewelers and retailers (sells, sell) the rings in January. 8. Jewelers and retailers (sells, sell) the rings in January.
9. The measles (cause, causes) high fevers in young children. 9. The measles (cause, causes) high fevers in young children. 10. There (has, have) always been a reason for doing it this way. 10. There (has, have) always been a reason for doing it this way. 11. Enthusiasm and hard work (results, result) in success. 11. Enthusiasm and hard work (results, result) in success. 12. Either the wind or the waves (makes, make) that sound. 12. Either the wind or the waves (makes, make) that sound.
13. The islands in the Caribbean (is, are) very busy during the height of the tourist season. 13. The islands in the Caribbean (is, are) very busy during the height of the tourist season. 14. The restaurants and the band (donates, donate) their services for the event. 14. The restaurants and the band (donates, donate) their services for the event. 15. The preacher, in spite of his problems, (inspires, inspire) the congregation. 15. The preacher, in spite of his problems, (inspires, inspire) the congregation.
Conjunctive Adverbs and Transitional Phrases Some common conjunctive adverbs (adverbial conjunctions): Addition: moreover, furthermore, further, also Time: meanwhile, then, afterwards, previously Contrast: however, instead, rather Result: therefore, consequently, thus Concession: though Reinforcement: indeed, nevertheless, still
Difference between conjunctive adverbs and other conjunctions: Conjunctive adverbs are movable. We worked hard for the Consumer Party candidates; however, we knew they didn t stand a chance. We worked hard for the Consumer Party candidates; we knew, however, they didn t stand a chance. We worked hard for the Consumer Party candidates; we knew they didn t stand a chance, however.
