Grammar Practice Parallel Structure Worksheet

Six sentences whose lists, pairs or comparisons do not match, to rewrite in parallel form, with an answer key.

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Made at homeroomtools.comRead each one. Write your sentence on the lines.1.2.3.4.5.6.Rewrite in parallel structureLena would rather walk to school than to wait for the bus.She not only won the race but also a record was set.The students wrote the script, and the set was built by parents.Tell me where you are going and the time of your return.The reviewer liked how the story began but not its ending.He trimmed the hedges, raked the leaves, and is watering the roses.
Made at homeroomtools.comRead each one. Write your sentence on the lines.1.2.3.4.5.6.Rewrite in parallel structureAnswer keyLena would rather walk to school than to wait for the bus.She not only won the race but also a record was set.The students wrote the script, and the set was built by parents.Tell me where you are going and the time of your return.The reviewer liked how the story began but not its ending.He trimmed the hedges, raked the leaves, and is watering the roses.Lena would rather walk to school than wait for the bus.She not only won the race but also set a record.The students wrote the script, and parents built the set.Tell me where you are going and when you will return.The reviewer liked how the story began but not how it ended.He trimmed the hedges, raked the leaves, and watered the roses.
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All 120 sentences

Lists of three 40

  • A good essay is focused, organized, and has plenty of support.
  • A lab report needs a hypothesis, a method, and what you concluded.
  • A map shows the roads, names the towns, and the rivers are marked.
  • The bus was late, crowded, and the heat was too high.
  • The cabin was small, drafty, and it had no lights.
  • The clerk types quickly, files accurately, and is speaking politely.
  • The club needs a president, someone to keep books, and a secretary.
  • Critics praised its music, its costumes, and how it was lit.
  • Debaters must research carefully, speak clearly, and listening well.
  • Find a quiet room, turn off your phone, and you should take breaks.
  • The first draft was long, dull, and it repeated itself.
  • Good notes are brief, accurate, and you can read them easily.
  • He is known for his patience, his honesty, and being generous.
  • He trimmed the hedges, raked the leaves, and is watering the roses.
  • Helpers will sell tickets, to serve food, and clean the tables.
  • The kit has three tools: a hammer, a level, and one that cuts wood.
  • Marcus enjoys reading, to solve crosswords, and playing chess.
Show all 120 sentences (103 more)

Lists of three, continued

  • The mayor promised lower taxes, safer streets, and to build a park.
  • The museum offers tours, lectures, and you can take art classes.
  • My grandfather taught me to fish, to whittle, and how to read a map.
  • The new intern is punctual, careful, and works hard.
  • On weekends Dana likes sketching, baking bread, and to fly her kite.
  • Our goals are winning the league, to stay healthy, and having fun.
  • Pack these for the exam: a pencil, an eraser, and to have a ruler.
  • Peel the apples, slice them thinly, and you should add cinnamon.
  • Priya feeds the hens, collects the eggs, and the coop gets swept.
  • The puppy chewed my slippers, hid my keys, and was barking at me.
  • The rowers were sore, sunburned, and wanted a drink of water.
  • The scouts learned to tie knots, build a fire, and how a compass is read.
  • She checked the brakes, rotated the tires, and the oil was changed.
  • She opened the letter, read it twice, and is folding it away.
  • She spent July mowing lawns, walking dogs, and she tutored a cousin.
  • The speaker talked slowly, clearly, and with confidence.
  • Swimming, to cycle, and running filled every day of her summer.
  • They voted to repaint the gym, fix the bleachers, and for a new clock.
  • The tour includes a boat ride, a picnic lunch, and walking the beach.
  • The valley is known for its orchards, its vineyards, and being warm.
  • We need to pack the tent, to fill the cooler, and checking the tires.
  • We were told to read the article, weighing its claims, and to reply.
  • The wind tore off shingles, snapped branches, and the power went out.

Pairs (either/or, both/and) 32

  • The bridge is both the oldest in the county and it is the longest.
  • Carlos is neither afraid of heights nor does deep water scare him.
  • The city hopes to attract tourists and creating jobs.
  • The class will either read the play aloud or a film of it will be watched.
  • The coach wants us either to train harder or we should give up.
  • The council will vote on widening the road and to add a bike lane.
  • The dog is trained to sit on command and fetching the paper.
  • Either you return the book today or a fine must be paid.
  • The forecast calls for strong wind and that it will rain heavily.
  • The guide spoke both in English and Spanish.
  • He apologized quickly and with sincerity.
  • He wanted neither to apologize nor explaining himself.
  • I admire her for her courage and because she is honest.
  • The intern not only filed the reports but also was answering the phones.
  • Ivy spent the afternoon reading and to answer letters.
  • The kitchen smelled of fresh bread and like someone had brewed coffee.
  • The lifeguard told us to stay near shore and watching for flags.
  • My goal is not to win but finishing the race.
  • My sister likes to paint and drawing.
  • Nina plans to study biology and becoming a nurse.
  • The novel is not only long but also it is hard to follow.
  • Running a store takes patience and to plan carefully.
  • She neither called ahead nor a note was left.
  • She not only won the race but also a record was set.
  • The speech was not only inspiring but also it informed us.
  • The teacher praised both her effort and how careful she was.
  • Tomas is both a talented singer and he dances well.
  • The trail was neither safe nor was it easy to climb.
  • We could either drive to the coast or taking the train.
  • We will either meet at the library or at the cafe.
  • Whether you stay home or going out, text me by nine.
  • You can pay either by check or use a card.

Comparisons (than, as) 24

  • Building the set was more fun than when we painted it.
  • He prefers hiking in the hills to a walk on the beach.
  • Her handwriting is neater than her brother.
  • I like baking pies more than to cook dinner.
  • I would sooner repair the old radio than buying a new one.
  • It is quicker to take the stairs than waiting for the elevator.
  • It takes less time to email the form than mailing it.
  • Jo likes to camp more than staying in hotels.
  • Learning the chords was easier than when I had to learn the lyrics.
  • Lena would rather walk to school than to wait for the bus.
  • Maya enjoys solving equations as much as to write poems.
  • My cat's whiskers are longer than my dog.
  • Omar's score on the final was higher than the midterm.
  • Planting the seeds is less work than to weed the rows.
  • The prices at the corner store are lower than the mall.
  • Reading the map was as hard as when we steered the boat.
  • The rent on our apartment is higher than their house.
  • Riding a bike in the city is harder than the country.
  • She would rather be told the truth than hearing a kind lie.
  • Teaching a skill is harder than to learn one.
  • To listen well is harder than talking.
  • The view from the tower is better than the bridge.
  • The winters in the mountains are colder than the coast.
  • Writing the outline took as long as to draft the essay.

Clauses and voice shifts 24

  • The article explains why bees matter and ways to protect them.
  • The band rehearsed the first song, and the last song was skipped.
  • The chef seasoned the soup, and then it was tasted by the whole staff.
  • The crew raised the sail, and the anchor was pulled up by them.
  • The guide told us that the cave was cold, that the path was steep, and to bring a lamp.
  • He watered the beds at noon, and the lawn was mowed by him later.
  • I know what he said, but not the meaning of it.
  • The letter said who won, where the prize is, and the time it arrives.
  • The manual shows where the battery goes, how the lid opens, and the time it takes to charge.
  • The mayor argued that the park was needed, that the cost was fair, and for a quick vote.
  • The note said that dinner was in the oven and to feed the cat.
  • Our teacher asked what we had read and for our opinion of it.
  • The poster says what the play is, where it is, and the ticket price.
  • The principal announced that the gym would close, that classes would move, and to check the website.
  • The ranger warned that the trail was icy and to turn back by dark.
  • The report shows what was spent, what was saved, and the debt.
  • The reviewer liked how the story began but not its ending.
  • She hopes that her poem will be published and to win the school prize.
  • The students wrote the script, and the set was built by parents.
  • The survey asked how often we read, what we read, and our reasons.
  • Tell me where you are going and the time of your return.
  • We painted the fence at dawn, and the gate was fixed at noon.
  • Whoever arrives first and the last person to leave must sign the sheet.
  • The witness stated that the car was red, that it was speeding, and the driver wore a hat.

How this list was compiled: Our own sentences, written for this page: sentences in which one item of a list, a pair or a comparison is not in the same grammatical form as the others, each stored with one parallel way to write it. The rules follow the Purdue Online Writing Lab's page Parallel Structure (words and phrases in a series, clauses, shifts between active and passive voice, lists after a colon), owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/mechanics/parallel_structure.html, and section 7.3, Parallelism, of the open textbook Writing for Success (comparisons with than or as; paired conjunctions such as either and or, not only and but also), saylordotorg.github.io/text_writing-for-success/s11-03-parallelism.html, both read 2026-10-09. No sentence of either source is used. No real person, brand or character is named. Licence: own work

How it works

Each sentence comes from our own bank of 120 and has one part out of form: The rowers were sore, sunburned, and wanted a drink of water. The student rewrites it so the parts match: sore, sunburned, and thirsty.

Read the full guide

Four sets, one for each kind of fault

Lists of three: one item of a series is in another form (sketching, baking bread, and to fly her kite). Pairs: with either/or, both/and and not only/but also, the words after each half must match. Comparisons: the two sides of than or as. Clauses and voice shifts: a clause starting with that beside a phrase starting with to, or an active verb beside a passive one.

How to find the fault

Purdue OWL's proofreading advice: pause at each joining word (and, or) and check that the items on each side are in the same form. For a list, write the items in a column and compare them.

Questions and answers

What is parallel structure in grammar?

Using the same pattern of words for ideas of the same weight, whether single words, phrases or clauses: slowly, clearly, and confidently, not slowly, clearly, and with confidence. The definition is the Purdue Online Writing Lab's.

Is there a grammar practice parallel structure worksheet answer key?

Yes. The last page of every print is the key: the same numbered sentences, each written in parallel form. Many faults mend two ways (likes painting and drawing, or likes to paint and to draw), and the key gives one.

Is this grammar practice parallel structure worksheet for 9th grade?

Yes. The Common Core puts the skill in grades 9 and 10: language standard L.9-10.1a reads Use parallel structure. Lists of three is the gentlest set for a first lesson.

Is there a parallel structure grammar worksheet for 12 grade?

The same sheet serves. The Common Core marks parallel structure as a skill likely to need continued attention in higher grades. For seniors, choose Comparisons or Clauses and voice shifts, where the fault is harder to hear.

Do you repeat the word to before every verb in a list?

Both ways are parallel: to pack the tent, to fill the cooler, and to check the tires, or to pack the tent, fill the cooler, and check the tires. Purdue OWL allows the word to before every verb or only before the first.

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