PARALLEL STRUCTURE

PARALLEL STRUCTURE

      One use of a conjunction is to connect words or phrases that have the same grammatical function in a sentence. This use of conjunctions is called “Parallel Structure.” The conjunction used in this pattern are and, but, or, nor. These words are called “ Coordinating Conjunctions.”

For instance:

a.       Steve and his friend are coming to dinner.

In (a): noun + and + noun

b.      Susan raised her hand and snapped her fingers.

In (b): verb + and + verb.

c.       He is waving his arms and (is) shouting at us.

In ©: verb + and + verb

The second auxiliary may be omitted if it

 the same as the first auxiliary

d.      These shoes are old but comfortable.

In (d): adjective + but + adjective

e.       He wants to watch TV or listen to some music.

in (e): infinitive + or + infinitive

the second auxiliary to is usually omitted.

A parallel structure may contain more than two parts. In a series, commas are used to separate each unit. The final commas that precedes the conjunction is optional; also correct: Steve, Joe and Alice are coming to dinner.

For Instance;

a.       Steve, Joe, and Alice are coming to dinner

b.      Susan raised her hand, snapped her fingers, and ask a question.

c.       The colors in that fabric are red, gold, black, and green.

(Source: Understanding and Using English Grammar, Betty Schrampfer)

      When we write sentences in English, every component of sentences must be compiled compatibly and parallel. So, subject, verb, object, and also Adverb in sentences must be compiled to be parallel formation. The form that must be parallel in sentences can be noun, gerund, adjective, infinitive, and etc.

      In another source, there are some additions of conjunction who are used to connect a word or phrase. Formation of object or matter that connected with and, but, as, or, than, or although must have the same grammatical.

1.      Interdependent objects who has parallel wight must have the same grammatical.

a.       Nouns

                     N      N            N

Andi likes music, art, and history.

b.      Gerunds

                   V + Ing  V + Ing                    V + Ing

Linda likes singing, dancing, and horsebackriding.

c.       Adjectives

           Adj   Adj                Adj

She is tall, swim, and beautiful.

d.      Infinitives

                      Inf.                              Inf.                              Inf.

We wanted to paint the bedroom, to lay a new carpet, and to buy a new sofa.

e.       Past Tense

      Past                       Past                             Past

I bought a new bag, brought it home, and gave it for his daughter.

f.       Past Perfect Tense

           Past Perfect                                    Past Perfect            Past Perfect

Joko had finished the game, had taken a shower, and had eaten lunch by the time I got to his house.

2.      The conjunction used in this source are and, but, as, or, than, or although.

a.       And

                     N Phrase                      N Phrase

He enjoyed the music of Spain and the sculpture of France.

b.      But

                                      Adj.          Adj.

That verb form is not active, but passive.

c.       As

 V+Ing                                              V+Ing

Taking the bus can be as costly as taking a plane

d.      Or

                    Inf.          Inf.

He wanted to eat or to buy a delicious food.

e.       Than

V+Ing                                                  V+Ing

Eating in a restaurant is more fun than cooking at home.

f.       Although

                                 Inf.                                             Inf

Although he liked to eat good food, he did not like to pay high prices for it.

Another coordinating conjunction consist of:

g.      Both ….and

He was both degraded and expelled.

h.      Not only…but

Not only I, but all the other men declare this to be true.

i.        Not only…but also

That man was not only accused, but also convicted.

j.        Either ….or

Either that boy sinned or his parents.

k.      Neither….nor

He was neither an opium-smoker nor a drunkard.

l.        Yet

She is very rich, yet she is not contented.

m.    So

It is time to go, so let us start.

n.      For

It is going to rain, for the barometer is falling.

o.      Only

I would have come, only I didn’t know.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Azar, Schrampfer, Betty. (1999). English Grammar : Understanding and Using. United                       States of America: Mary Jane Peluso.

M. Hum, S. Pd, Tumijo and M. Pd, Riyanto, Slamet, Drs. (2010). Successful Strategies                       for TOEFL. Jakarta: PT. Buku Kita.