ESL Grammar Sentence Structure Parallel Structure Lists and Comparisons

What It Is

Parallel structure is a grammar rule that helps us make our writing and speaking clearer by using the same structure for lists and comparisons. For example, "I like reading books, writing stories, and speaking English." This topic causes difficulty for ESL learners because they may not know how to make their sentences sound balanced and natural.

Key Rules

• Use the same verb form for all items in a list: Subject + Verb (e.g., "I like reading books, writing stories, and speaking English.")
• Use the same verb form for comparisons: Subject + Verb (e.g., "He is as tall as his brother.")
• Use as or so for comparisons: "He is as tall as his brother" or "He is so tall."
• Use than for comparisons: "He is taller than his brother."
• Use more and less for comparisons: "He is more intelligent than his brother" or "He is less intelligent than his brother."
• Use the same for comparisons: "He is the same height as his brother."
• Use different for comparisons: "He is different from his brother."
• Use either/or for choices: "I like either reading books or writing stories."
• Use neither/nor for choices: "I don't like neither reading books nor writing stories."
• Use both/and for choices: "I like both reading books and writing stories."
• Use not only/but also for choices: "I like not only reading books but also writing stories."
• Use as well as for choices: "I like reading books as well as writing stories."
• Use in addition to for choices: "I like reading books in addition to writing stories."
• Use on top of for choices: "I like reading books on top of writing stories."
• Use in contrast to for comparisons: "He is in contrast to his brother."
• Use unlike for comparisons: "He is unlike his brother."

Common ESL Errors

Error: I like reading books, writing stories and speaking English.
Why it happens: Interference from L1 ( learner's first language) or overgeneralization.
Correction: I like reading books, writing stories, and speaking English. (Use the same verb form for all items in a list.)

Error: He is taller than his brother is.
Why it happens: Overgeneralization or lack of understanding of verb forms.
Correction: He is taller than his brother. (Use the same verb form for comparisons.)

Error: He is more intelligent than his brother is.
Why it happens: Interference from L1 or lack of understanding of verb forms.
Correction: He is more intelligent than his brother. (Use the same verb form for comparisons.)

Practice Exercises

1. Fill in the blank: I like reading books, writing stories, and speaking English.
   Answer: speaking English. Reason: Use the same verb form for all items in a list.

2. Fill in the blank: He is as tall as his brother.
   Answer: brother. Reason: Use the same subject for comparisons.

3. Fill in the blank: I like either reading books or writing stories.
   Answer: writing stories. Reason: Use either/or for choices.

Last-Minute Revision

⚠️ Use as or so for comparisons: "He is as tall as his brother" or "He is so tall." ⚠️ Use than for comparisons: "He is taller than his brother." ⚠️ Use more and less for comparisons: "He is more intelligent than his brother" or "He is less intelligent than his brother." ⚠️ Use the same for comparisons: "He is the same height as his brother." ⚠️ Use different for comparisons: "He is different from his brother." ⚠️ Use either/or for choices: "I like either reading books or writing stories." ⚠️ Use neither/nor for choices: "I don't like neither reading books nor writing stories." ⚠️ Use both/and for choices: "I like both reading books and writing stories." ⚠️ Use not only/but also for choices: "I like not only reading books but also writing stories." ⚠️ Use as well as for choices: "I like reading books as well as writing stories." ⚠️ Use in addition to for choices: "I like reading books in addition to writing stories." ⚠️ Use on top of for choices: "I like reading books on top of writing stories." ⚠️ Use in contrast to for comparisons: "He is in contrast to his brother." ⚠️ Use unlike for comparisons: "He is unlike his brother." ⚠️ Irregular verb: go (went, gone) ⚠️ Preposition pair: in (inside) and on (on top of) ⚠️ Article: a (indefinite) and the (definite) ⚠️ Pronunciation nuance: th (voiceless) and v (voiced)