Parallel Structure | Grammar | Kathleen Jasper

Kathleen Jasper
26 Jun 201904:55
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe video script discusses the concept of parallel structure in grammar, which is often overlooked by many. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining continuity among the elements in a list within a sentence, using the term 'matchy-matchy' to describe the desired uniformity. The speaker provides examples to illustrate the correct use of parallel structure, highlighting the need for matching parts of speech, such as verbs, pronouns, and adverbs, across the items in a list. Errors in parallel structure, such as the use of a verb in one item and a noun in another, are pointed out and corrected. The script also touches on the use of adjectives with nouns and adverbs with verbs, and the importance of ensuring that sentence elements align properly for clarity and coherence. By using clear examples and explanations, the video aims to demystify parallel structure and improve the viewer's understanding and application of this grammatical concept.

Takeaways
  • 📚 Parallel structure is a grammar concept that involves the use of matching elements in a series or list within a sentence.
  • 🔍 It's important to maintain continuity among the words in a list to ensure clarity and coherence.
  • 💡 The speaker uses the term 'matchy-matchy' to describe the need for elements in a list to be grammatically consistent.
  • 📝 Examples are used to illustrate what parallel structure looks like and how to identify errors in sentence construction.
  • ✅ A dependent clause is followed by a comma, which is a clue that the structure is likely correct.
  • 🔑 In lists, each item should follow the same grammatical pattern (e.g., verb + pronoun + adverb) for parallelism.
  • 😕 An error in parallel structure occurs when one item in the list does not match the grammatical form of the others.
  • 📖 Adverbs describe verbs, and adjectives describe nouns, which is crucial for maintaining parallel structure.
  • 🔄 To correct errors, adjust the sentence to ensure that each item in the list is in the same grammatical form.
  • 📌 The use of a colon can introduce a list, and it's important to ensure that what follows the colon is properly structured.
  • ❌ Identifying non-parallel elements in a list (e.g., a verb among nouns) helps in correcting the sentence to achieve parallelism.
Q & A

  • What is parallel structure in grammar?

    -Parallel structure in grammar refers to the use of matching grammatical forms to express similar ideas within a sentence, particularly in lists or series.

  • Why is it important to maintain parallel structure in a sentence?

    -Maintaining parallel structure is important because it ensures clarity, coherence, and readability, making it easier for readers to understand the intended meaning.

  • What does 'matchy-matchy' mean in the context of parallel structure?

    -'Matchy-matchy' is a colloquial term used to describe the need for elements in a sentence list to be grammatically consistent with each other, which is a key aspect of parallel structure.

  • How does the use of a dependent clause affect the parallel structure?

    -A dependent clause, when followed by a comma, can be a part of a sentence that requires parallel structure in the subsequent independent clause to maintain grammatical consistency.

  • What is the role of adverbs in parallel structure?

    -Adverbs in parallel structure describe or modify verbs, and they should be used consistently with other verbs in a list to maintain parallelism.

  • How can you identify if a sentence has a parallel structure issue?

    -You can identify a parallel structure issue by checking if the elements in a list or series are grammatically consistent in form, such as matching verbs, nouns, or adjectives.

  • What is the correct way to revise the sentence 'we must be sure to train them properly, inspire them regularly, and ask them appropriate questions' to maintain parallel structure?

    -The correct revision would be 'we must be sure to train them properly, inspire them regularly, and question them appropriately,' ensuring that each verb is followed by a matching pronoun and adverb.

  • What is the error in the sentence 'she only understood three things about that time period being hungry grace and acceptance'?

    -The error is the lack of parallel structure. 'Being hungry' is a verb form, while 'grace' and 'acceptance' are nouns, which creates an inconsistency in the list.

  • How should the sentence about understanding three things be corrected to achieve parallel structure?

    -The sentence should be corrected to 'she only understood three things about that time period: hunger, grace, and acceptance,' using parallel nouns to describe the things understood.

  • What is the function of a colon in the sentence structure?

    -A colon is used to introduce a list or a series of items that explain or expand upon the preceding independent clause.

  • Why is it incorrect to use 'being hungry' in the list when 'grace' and 'acceptance' are already mentioned?

    -It is incorrect because 'being hungry' is a verb phrase, whereas 'grace' and 'acceptance' are nouns, violating the principle of parallel structure which requires matching grammatical forms in a list.

  • How does the use of nouns and verbs affect the parallel structure of a sentence?

    -The use of nouns and verbs must be consistent within a sentence to maintain parallel structure. If a list includes nouns, all items in the list should be nouns; if it includes verbs, they should all be verbs in a similar grammatical form.

Outlines
00:00
📝 Understanding Parallel Structure in Grammar

The paragraph discusses the concept of parallel structure in grammar, which is often overlooked. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining continuity among the elements in a list within a sentence, using the term 'matchy-matchy' to describe the desired effect. The speaker illustrates the concept by analyzing a sentence with an independent clause followed by a list of actions that should be parallel in structure. The error in the example is identified in the non-parallel construction of the phrase 'ask them appropriate questions', which should be corrected to 'question them appropriately' to maintain parallelism. The paragraph also touches on the use of adverbs with verbs and adjectives with nouns, and the importance of correcting sentence structure to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Parallel Structure
Parallel structure refers to the grammatical technique of using the same grammatical form or structure to express similar ideas within a sentence. It is crucial for clarity and coherence. In the video, it is the central concept, with the speaker using examples to illustrate how to maintain parallelism in a list of verbs, nouns, or adjectives.
💡Dependent Clause
A dependent clause is a group of words that contain a subject and a verb but do not express a complete thought and thus cannot stand alone as a sentence. They are often used to provide additional information. In the script, the speaker discusses how dependent clauses should be followed by a comma when they are part of a larger sentence structure.
💡Independent Clause
An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and can express a complete thought, making it a complete sentence on its own. The video emphasizes the importance of using independent clauses in conjunction with parallel structure to ensure that the sentence is grammatically correct and easy to understand.
💡Adjective
An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun. In the context of the video, the speaker explains that adjectives should be used with nouns to maintain parallel structure, as seen in the phrase 'new employees,' where 'new' is the adjective modifying the noun 'employees'.
💡Adverb
An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. The speaker in the video uses 'regularly' as an example of an adverb, describing the verb 'inspire' in the sentence. The correct use of adverbs is essential for parallel structure, as they should match in form with other adverbs in a list.
💡Verb
A verb is a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence. The script discusses the use of verbs in parallel structure, emphasizing that they should be consistent with other verbs in a sentence. For instance, 'train,' 'inspire,' and 'question' are all verbs that should maintain a parallel form when used in a list.
💡Pronoun
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun in a sentence. In the video, 'them' is used as a pronoun referring to 'employees.' The speaker points out that pronouns should be used consistently in parallel structure to maintain grammatical correctness.
💡Colon
A colon is a punctuation mark used to introduce a list or a series of explanations. The speaker in the video checks the proper use of a colon after an independent clause, indicating that it is correctly used to introduce a list, which is a key aspect of parallel structure.
💡Matchy-Matchy
The term 'matchy-matchy' is a colloquial expression used by the speaker to describe the need for consistency and uniformity in parallel structure. It emphasizes the visual and structural alignment of elements in a sentence, making the grammar more appealing and easier to follow.
💡Error Identification
The video involves identifying errors in sentence construction, particularly focusing on parallel structure. The speaker guides the audience through the process of recognizing when elements in a sentence do not align properly and how to correct them to achieve grammatical accuracy.
💡Noun
A noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In the context of parallel structure, the video explains the importance of using nouns consistently, as seen in the list 'hunger, grace, and acceptance,' where all items should be parallel in form to be grammatically correct.
Highlights

Parallel structure is a grammar concept often overlooked by people, which focuses on the continuity among words in a list within a sentence.

The author humorously suggests making lists 'matchy-matchy' to maintain parallel structure.

Parallel structure is demonstrated through examples rather than abstract explanations.

The use of a dependent clause followed by a comma is a key indicator of proper parallel structure.

Adjectives should describe nouns, while adverbs describe verbs, as shown in the example sentence.

The adverb 'regularly' is used to describe the verb 'inspire', illustrating the use of adverbs in parallel structure.

To correct a lack of parallelism, the author suggests matching the structure of verbs, pronouns, and adverbs across a list.

The sentence 'we must be sure to train them properly, inspire them regularly, and question them appropriately' demonstrates corrected parallel structure.

Choosing the correct answer involves identifying the non-parallel element within a sentence.

The example 'she only understood three things about that time period: being hungry, grace, and acceptance' shows an error in parallel structure.

The error is identified by the mismatch between the verb 'being hungry' and the nouns 'grace' and 'acceptance'.

To achieve parallelism, 'being hungry' should be changed to the noun 'hunger'.

The author emphasizes the importance of parallel structure for clarity and coherence in writing.

Understanding the function of adjectives and adverbs is crucial for recognizing and correcting parallel structure errors.

The transcript provides a practical approach to teaching parallel structure through sentence analysis.

The author uses a conversational tone to make the concept of parallel structure more accessible.

The transcript includes interactive elements, such as asking the reader to identify errors, to engage the audience.

The concept of parallel structure is applied to enhance the flow and readability of sentences.

Transcripts

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Grammar TipsParallelismSentence StructureWriting SkillsEnglish LanguageEducational ContentLanguage ArtsSyntax ClarityAdverb UsageNoun PhrasesAdjective Placement