Parallel Structure Correlative Quiz

1. Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly with correlative conjunctions?

She is both a talented dancer and a dedicated teacher.

She is both a talented dancer and dedicated teacher.

She is both talented dancer and she teaches dedicatedly.

She is both dancing and a dedicated teacher.

The 'both/and' pair correctly links two parallel noun phrases: 'a talented dancer' and 'a dedicated teacher.' The other options mix different grammatical forms.

Explanation

The 'both/and' pair correctly links two parallel noun phrases: 'a talented dancer' and 'a dedicated teacher.' The other options mix different grammatical forms.

2. The correlative conjunctions in a sentence must join elements that are grammatically _______.

Parallel structure requires that the words, phrases, or clauses following the first part of the conjunction be the same type as those following the second part.

Explanation

Parallel structure requires that the words, phrases, or clauses following the first part of the conjunction be the same type as those following the second part.

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3. The sentence ‘He not only sings but also a good piano player’ uses correct parallel structure.

True

False

This is false. 'Not only' is followed by a verb ('sings'), but 'but also' is followed by a noun phrase ('a good piano player'). The structure is not parallel.

Explanation

This is false. 'Not only' is followed by a verb ('sings'), but 'but also' is followed by a noun phrase ('a good piano player'). The structure is not parallel.

4. Which sentence correctly maintains parallel structure with ‘neither/nor’?

I want neither to go to the party nor that you come to my house.

I want neither going to the party nor coming to your house.

I want neither to go to the party nor to come to your house.

I want neither the party nor to come to your house.

The 'neither/nor' pair correctly links two equal infinitive phrases: 'to go to the party' and 'to come to your house.'

Explanation

The 'neither/nor' pair correctly links two equal infinitive phrases: 'to go to the party' and 'to come to your house.'

5. Which sentences show an error in parallel structure? (Select all that apply)

He decided either to quit his job or finding a new one.

We were both tired and sleepy after the long trip.

Not only did she win the race but also broke the record.

My goal is neither riches nor fame.

In A, 'either' links an infinitive ('to quit') but 'or' links a gerund ('finding'). In C, 'not only' links a verb phrase ('did she win') but 'but also' links a simple verb ('broke the record').

Explanation

In A, 'either' links an infinitive ('to quit') but 'or' links a gerund ('finding'). In C, 'not only' links a verb phrase ('did she win') but 'but also' links a simple verb ('broke the record').

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6. Choose the best way to correct the sentence: ‘We could travel either by car or flying on a plane.’

We could travel either by car or by flying.

We could travel either to drive a car or to fly on a plane.

We could travel either by car or by plane.

We could travel either driving or on a plane.

The original sentence mixes a prepositional phrase ('by car') with a gerund phrase ('flying on a plane'). Option C links two prepositional phrases ('by car' and 'by plane'), maintaining parallel structure.

Explanation

The original sentence mixes a prepositional phrase ('by car') with a gerund phrase ('flying on a plane'). Option C links two prepositional phrases ('by car' and 'by plane'), maintaining parallel structure.

7. The sentence ‘The assignment was neither challenging _______ rewarding’ correctly joins two adjectives using the correlative pair.

The word 'nor' completes the 'neither/nor' pair, which correctly links the two single adjectives ('challenging' and 'rewarding') in parallel.

Explanation

The word 'nor' completes the 'neither/nor' pair, which correctly links the two single adjectives ('challenging' and 'rewarding') in parallel.

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8. In the sentence ‘We will buy both a television and a stove,’ the two elements joined are both noun phrases.

True

False

This is true. The correlative pair 'both/and' correctly links two noun phrases, 'a television' and 'a stove,' ensuring parallel structure.

Explanation

This is true. The correlative pair 'both/and' correctly links two noun phrases, 'a television' and 'a stove,' ensuring parallel structure.

9. Which sentence correctly uses ‘not only/but also’ to link two verbs?

She not only is studying but also working.

She not only studies but also works.

Not only she studies but also she works.

She not only studies but also a job.

Not only' is followed by the verb 'studies' and 'but also' is followed by the verb 'works.' The two verbs are correctly linked in parallel structure.

Explanation

Not only' is followed by the verb 'studies' and 'but also' is followed by the verb 'works.' The two verbs are correctly linked in parallel structure.

10. The principle of parallel structure ensures that correlative conjunctions link which of the following? (Select all that apply)

Two prepositional phrases.

Two different verb tenses.

Two nouns.

Two single adjectives.

Parallel structure requires that the linked elements have the same grammatical form, such as two prepositional phrases, two nouns, or two adjectives.

Explanation

Parallel structure requires that the linked elements have the same grammatical form, such as two prepositional phrases, two nouns, or two adjectives.

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11. Which of the following shows an error in parallel structure?

I asked whether the show was starting or ending.

The dog needs either food or water.

They were neither happy nor showing anger.

She will both clean the kitchen and the dining room.

Neither' is followed by an adjective ('happy'), but 'nor' is followed by a verb phrase ('showing anger'). The structures are not parallel.

Explanation

Neither' is followed by an adjective ('happy'), but 'nor' is followed by a verb phrase ('showing anger'). The structures are not parallel.

12. To correct the non-parallel sentence ‘He wants either to eat or sleeping,’ you should change ‘sleeping’ to:

The first element is an infinitive phrase ('to eat'). The second element must also be an infinitive phrase ('to sleep') to maintain parallel structure.

Explanation

The first element is an infinitive phrase ('to eat'). The second element must also be an infinitive phrase ('to sleep') to maintain parallel structure.

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13. The sentence ‘Whether you leave now or stay here is your choice’ correctly links two independent clauses.

True

False

This is false. 'Whether you leave now' and 'stay here' are not independent clauses (they can't stand alone); they are two noun clauses functioning as the sentence's subject.

Explanation

This is false. 'Whether you leave now' and 'stay here' are not independent clauses (they can't stand alone); they are two noun clauses functioning as the sentence's subject.

14. Which sentence maintains parallel structure by linking two prepositional phrases?

She works not only in the office but also from home.

She works not only in the office but also working from home.

Not only in the office but also from home she works.

She not only works in the office but also home.

The 'not only/but also' pair correctly links two prepositional phrases: 'in the office' and 'from home.'

Explanation

The 'not only/but also' pair correctly links two prepositional phrases: 'in the office' and 'from home.'

15. Which options correctly link two objects (nouns or noun phrases) using a correlative conjunction? (Select all that apply)

We enjoy both hiking and skiing.

I saw neither your mother nor your father.

She likes not only the red dress but also wearing the blue one.

Whether a cat or a dog, I want a pet.

A links two gerunds (nouns). B links two nouns/noun phrases. D links two nouns/noun phrases. C incorrectly links a noun phrase ('the red dress') with a gerund phrase ('wearing the blue one').

Explanation

A links two gerunds (nouns). B links two nouns/noun phrases. D links two nouns/noun phrases. C incorrectly links a noun phrase ('the red dress') with a gerund phrase ('wearing the blue one').

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16. Which sentence is grammatically correct and parallel?

We neither left early nor we got home late.

We neither left early nor got home late.

We left neither early nor got home late.

We neither left early and got home late.

Neither' is placed before the first verb ('left'), and 'nor' is placed before the second verb ('got'), correctly linking the two verbs in the parallel compound predicate.

Explanation

Neither' is placed before the first verb ('left'), and 'nor' is placed before the second verb ('got'), correctly linking the two verbs in the parallel compound predicate.

17. To correct the structure in ‘I need either help with the writing or to study math,’ the phrase ‘to study math’ should be changed to:

The first element is a noun phrase ('help with the writing'). The second element must also be a noun phrase to maintain parallel structure.

Explanation

The first element is a noun phrase ('help with the writing'). The second element must also be a noun phrase to maintain parallel structure.

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18. Parallel structure is needed only when the correlative conjunctions join whole independent clauses.

True

False

This is false. Parallel structure must be maintained when joining any grammatical element, including single words, phrases, or clauses.

Explanation

This is false. Parallel structure must be maintained when joining any grammatical element, including single words, phrases, or clauses.

19. In the sentence ‘She is neither patient nor listens well,’ the error is that the conjunctions link:

Two different nouns.

A noun and an adjective.

An adjective and a verb.

Two adjectives.

The error is linking the adjective 'patient' with the verb phrase 'listens well,' which violates the rule of parallel structure.

Explanation

The error is linking the adjective 'patient' with the verb phrase 'listens well,' which violates the rule of parallel structure.

20. What is the parallel element linked by the correlative pair in the sentence: ‘Not only the students but also the teacher deserve praise.’ (Select all that apply)

The subjects of the sentence.

Two noun phrases.

Two single adjectives.

Two verbs.

The sentence correctly links two subjects ('the students' and 'the teacher'), which are also two noun phrases, making the structure parallel.

Explanation

The sentence correctly links two subjects ('the students' and 'the teacher'), which are also two noun phrases, making the structure parallel.

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Balance and Form: Maintaining Parallel Structure in Correlative Conjunctions Quiz