Parallelism

Parallelism

Parallelism refers to using elements in sentences that are grammatically similar or identical in structure, sound, meaning, or meter. This technique adds symmetry, effectiveness and balance to the written piece.

Examples of parallelism within sentences:

You need to work quickly and decisively.

He was a prolific author, writing poems, short stories, novels, and screenplays.

Like father, like son.

This is not only just what I wanted, but also just what I needed.

Compare the Following Examples:

Lacking parallelism: She likes cooking, jogging, and to read.

Lacking parallelism: "He likes to swim and running".

Parallel: She likes cooking, jogging, and reading.

Parallel: She likes to cook, jog, and read.

Parallel: "He likes to swim and run."

Parallel: "He likes swimming and running."

Argumentative essay

Abortion: Women Need a Choice

Our Nation was built on the ideas of freedom and independence. With that concept, I believe that our government needs to trust that women have the capability to choose what is best for their future. Our society should respect women’s independence and grant them the freedom to decide what is right. This issue is important to me because history has shown that restricting abortions, not only undermines women, but can also be very dangerous.

     I believe that the government should not be able to control what a woman does with her body. By granting women the right to choose, this does not permit her to kill, but to decide what is best for all persons involved. There are many situations that show that abortion may be the best for the parents and the unborn child. Situations such as rape or incest prove that it is not the woman’s fault and not fair to the mother or the unborn child to pay for it. There are other situations such as if the mother carries a disease the can be passed on, or if the parents are unfit to raise a family at the time. Any case however, should be between the people involved and not the government.

     In the past, there have been many cases when abortions were restricted, and women went ahead to find other ways to get it done. They were forced to have it done in unsafe alleys by complete strangers. By legalizing abortions, it has made conditions much safer for women. I think mentally, it has strengthened women in many ways; they can now confront their problems and have options to choose from, and not have to hide their mistakes.    

     We choose to use the term “pro-choice” because we are not pro-abortion. I understand the concerns of those who oppose abortion, but instead of eliminating it altogether, we should create standardized rules and enforce them as much as possible. I know that abortion has it’s pros and cons, but we should trust that women are capable of weighing out each factor and choosing what is best.

compound complex sentence

A compound-complex sentence is made from two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
Some examples:
1. Although I like to go camping, I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't found anyone to go with.
independent clause: "I haven't had the time to go lately"
independent clause: "I haven't found anyone to go with"
dependent clause: "Although I like to go camping... "
 2. We decided that the movie was too violent, but our children, who like to watch scary movies, thought that we were wrong.
independent clause: "We decided that the movie was too violent"
independent clause: "(but) our children thought that we were wrong"
dependent clause: who like to watch scary movies
3. If  Barack Obama is re-elected this November, he'll serve another four years, but it won't be an easy contest to win.
independent cause: he'll serve another four years
independent cause: it won't be an easy contest to win.
Dependent clause: If Barack Obama is re-elected this November,
  Compound-complex sentences are very common in English, but one mistake that students often make is to try to write them without having mastered the simple sentences, compound sentences, and complex sentences first.

persuasive essay

Why I am Against School Uniforms

One of the most significant issues for modern schools is the question of students’ appearance. Whereas children would most likely enjoy dressing the way they want, teachers and education authorities would tend towards seeing students wearing standardized uniforms. There are many opponents and proponents of an obligatory enabling of school uniforms, both coming up with reasonable arguments in favor of their claims. However, to my mind, students should not be forced to wear uniforms, as it can negatively affect their personalities.
Wearing school uniforms is a significant obstacle for a child’s self-expression. It is not a secret that children are much more artistic than many adults; besides, in high school, teenagers often experience an increased need to be unique and special. The clothes one wears is one of the most available means of self-expression, and school uniforms do not allow students to demonstrate their individuality. Research shows that students who were forced to wear school uniforms were more likely to use makeup earlier than their peers, and later, to use more extreme accessories to alter their fashion (short skirts, mohawks, piercing, and so on) (WiseGEEK).
Another serious reason not to make students wear uniforms is when children look different and express different outlooks, it encourages them to be tolerant to those who differ from them, and to accept alternative lifestyles (Examiner.com). This is especially important considering one country can be inhabited by the representatives of different cultures, religions, and so on. Therefore, allowing students to dress according to their liking will encourage them to tolerate and accept people of other cultural, social, and religious groups. At the same time, a forced introduction of school uniforms results in a loss of diversity and a lack of tolerance towards strangers and people who are different from the majority.
The last but not the least argument refers solely to the financial aspect of the issue. After the economic crisis of 2008, many people around the world including the United States started to experience difficulties with their financial condition. School uniforms may cost significant sums of money, so some parents cannot afford to buy the required clothes for their children. On the other hand, not enabling obligatory school uniforms allows parents with lower incomes to be satisfied about their children’s appearance (Examiner.com).
The use of school uniforms is a poignant subject in debate circles. Introducing obligatory school uniforms will have several negative consequences. In particular, school uniforms interfere with children’s self-expression; create obstacles for cultivating tolerance and acceptance towards people of other lifestyles and outlooks; in addition, school uniforms may be rather expensive for some people, considering the economic crisis of 2008.

complex sentence

A complex sentence contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence and makes a complete thought and a dependent clause can not stand alone, even though it has a subject and a verb.
Example :

The man who sold my dad the car is shifty.
The movie that I like a lot is out on DVD now.
When the cost goes up, customers buy less clothing.
Wherever you go, you can always find beauty.
Evergreen trees are a symbol of fertility because they do not die in the winter.
The actor was happy he got a part in a movie although the part was a small one.
Because he is rich, people make allowance for his idiosyncrasies.
The country where I grew up is located in South America.
Although my cousin invited me, I chose not to go to the reunion.
After twenty years, he still had feelings for her.
I always make friends quickly wherever I live.

compound sentence

     A compound sentence has at least two independent clauses. An independent clause (unlike a dependent clause) can stand alone as a sentence.

For example:

• Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. (Joseph Heller, 1923-1999) (Jane Wagner)(This example has three independent clauses.) 

In a compound sentence, the two clauses are joined using:

• A conjunction with a comma (e.g., ", and").

When a word like and, or, and but (called conjunctions) joins two standalone "sentences," you should put a comma before it.(The real name for a standalone "sentence" within a longer sentence is independent clause.)

Put a Comma before a Conjunction If It Joins Two Independent Clauses
Words like and, or, and but are known as conjunctions. (There are other conjunctions, but these three are by far the most common.)
(NB: Conjunctions are often used in lists, and the ruling about using a comma before a conjunction in a list depends on whether you're following US or UK writing conventions, or whether you're an advocate of the Oxford Comma.)
Conjunctions that are used to merge two standalone "sentences" (or independent clauses as they're really called) into one using a conjunction. This is a very common practice. When a conjunction is used in this way, it is usual to place a comma before it.
Examples:
He is a great swimmer, but he prefers to play golf. "He is a great swimmer." + "He prefers to play golf." (This is two standalone "sentences" (i.e., independent clauses) merged into one with but. Therefore, a comma is required before but.)

• I may consider your plan, or I may disregard it. "I may consider your plan" + "I may disregard it." (This is two independent clauses joined by the conjunction or. Therefore, a comma is required before or.)

• The applicant must be able to tell jokes and sing, and she must be able to dance.
• (NB: The first and is just a conjunction in a list.) "The applicant must be able to tell jokes and sing." + "She must be able to dance." (This is two independent clauses joined by the conjunction and. Therefore, a comma is required before and.)

• The female applicant must be able to tell jokes, sing and dance. (US)
• The female applicant must be able to tell jokes, sing, and dance. (UK)

(The conjunction and is not joining two independent clauses in this example. Therefore, a comma is not required after sing if you're following UK conventions. In the US (or if you're an advocate for the Oxford Comma), then a comma would be expected after sing.)




A semicolon
A sentence can be extended with a semicolon when a slight break is preferable to a new sentence. (You cannot do the same thing with a comma. That's called a run-on error, and it's a common mistake.)

Merge Two Sentences with a Semicolon
On occasion, a writer may decide that the next sentence is so closely connected to the previous one that a slight break is more appropriate than a new sentence. A semicolon can be used for this purpose.

Examples:
No one was seriously hurt in the accident; one man suffered a broken finger.

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. (Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826)
The meeting has been rescheduled for 4 o'clock; this reflects the director's new agenda.

A colon (This is rare because the words after a colon are not often an independent clause.)
A colon can be used to introduce some more information about something mentioned earlier in the sentence.
For example:
He wanted just one thing: revenge.
He knew what his wish would be: the ability to turn stones into gold.

A colon is not used to introduce a new idea to a sentence.
For example:
He wanted just one thing: he wanted it since he was boy.

New ideas are introduced by a new sentence or, if you want a smooth transition between the sentences, a semicolon.
For example:
He wanted just one thing. He wanted it since he was boy.
He wanted just one thing; he wanted it si

Multiple Choice

Choose the appropriate options to complete the sentences

1. He saw his friend (go) out with Sue.
a. goes
b. went
c. gone
d. was going
e. going

2. The people (dance) in the street are all very friendly.
a. dances
b. dance
c. danced
d. dancing
e. was dancing

3. (look) down from the tower we saw many people walking in the streets.
a. looking
b. was looking
c. looks
d. looked
e. look

4. After the test, John realized that he  (to choose) the wrong answer to one of the questions.
a. choose
b. was choosing
c. had chosen
d. have chosen
e. choosing

5. Had I understood that you didn't have any money, I would (to give) you some.
a. were giving
b. had given
c. have given
d. given
e. giving

6. My uncle always has his car washing (wash) .
a.  washing
b. were washing
c. washed
d. had washed
e. have washed

7. The umbrella (find) at the bus
stop belongs to John Smith.
a. finds
b. finding
c. found
d. was finding
e. had found

8. The term track and field refers to athletic events ---- include foot races and jumping and throwing events.
a. where
b. that
c. whom
d. in which
e. of which

9. San Francisco, America's romantic city, has always been a haven for the artists and writers
---- have left at least part of their hearts there.
a. where
b. who
c. whom
d. whose
e. which

10. The moment ---- I learned the results of the art competition was one of the worst times in my
life.
a. which
b. when
c. where
d. why
e. who

11. The extent ---- the stock market is affected by the day-to-day pronouncements of the President
of the United States is astonishing.
a. of which
b. to which
c. whose
d. where
e. when

12.  Martin Stevenson, ---- children I have been looking after since i started the university in
London, is my history professor.
a. whom
b. who
c. whose
d. that
e. which

13. Mistletoe, ---- is believed to have magic powers, is traditionally hung over doorways
during the Christmas season.
a. that
b. whom
c. why
d. which
e. who

14. In many parts of the world, the grass ---- is called votive is known for its fragrant oil as well
as its ability to prevent soil erosion.
a. whose
b. where
c. why
d. when
e. which

15. The safe ---- we put our jewelry and other valuables were robbed by a group of professional
thieves last night.
a. in which
b. whom
c. that
d. when
e. whose



ESSAY!

In the sentences below, fill in the correct participles!
1. Steve was so ……………….. (fascinate) by the book that he finished it in one evening.
2. I felt sleepy because …………………… (to wake) up earlier than usual this morning.

Find out the  clauses in the following sentences and state what purpose they serve !
3. The king ordered that the traitor should be put to death.
4. The report that only ten persons were killed in the riots is not true .
5. In the early years of my boyhood, my parents coped very well in America.