STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION
SKILL 24: USE PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH
COORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS
The job of the coordinate
conjunctions (and, but, or) is to
join together equal expressions. In other words, what is on one side of these
words must be parallel to what is on the other side.
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CC joins two nouns
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I need
to talk to the manager or the
assistant manager.
She is
not a teacher but a
lawyer.
|
|
CC joins
two verbs
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He only eats and sleeps when he takes a vacation.
She invites us to her home but never talks with us
|
|
CC joins
two adjectives
|
My
boss is sincere and nice.
The
exam that he gave was short but
difficult.
|
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CC joins
two phrases
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There are students in the classroom and in front of the building.
The papers are on my desk or in the drawer.
|
|
CC joins
two clauses
|
They
are not interested in what you say or
what you do.
I
am here because I have to be and because
I want to be.
|
*CC= coordinate conjunction
EXERCISE 24: Each of the
following sentences contains one of the words or groups of words that should be
parallel. Circle the word that indicates that the sentence should have parallel
parts. Underline the parts that should be parallel. Then indicate if the
sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
|
_______
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3
|
She works very hard but usually gets
below-average grades.
|
|
_______
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4
|
The
speaker introduced himself, told several interesting anecdotes, and finishing
with emotional plea.
|
|
_______
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5
|
You
should know when the program starts and how many units you must complete.
|
|
_______
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6
|
The
term paper he wrote was rather short but very impressive.
|
|
_______
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7
|
She
suggested taking the plane this evening or that we go by train tomorrow.
|
|
_______
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8
|
The
dean or the assistant dean will inform you of when and where you should apply
for your diploma
|
|
_______
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9
|
There are
papers to file, reports to type, and those letters should be answered.
|
|
_______
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10
|
The
manager needed a quick but thorough response.
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ANSWER KEY
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1
|
I
|
(in
a restaurant should be a server)
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2
|
C
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3
|
C
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4
|
I
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(finishing should be finished)
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5
|
C
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|
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6
|
C
|
|
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7
|
I
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(that we go by train should
be taking the train)
|
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8
|
C
|
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9
|
I
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(those letters should be answered should be letters to answer)
|
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10
|
C
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Thanks
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