Relationships between ideas part 1
Grammar
Lecture by Sarfaraz Nawabzada
Parallel Structures
One use of conjunctions is to connect words or phrases
that have the same grammatical function in a sentence.
This use of conjunction is called parallel structure.
Or
The combination of grammatical elements joined by
conjunction which has the same grammatical functions
in both sides are called parallel structures.
Ex. Ahmad is young, but weak.
Note: in above sentence both young and weak have the
same grammatical function (both are adjectives) joined
by conjunction but.
.Parallel structures
1. Noun + conjunction + Noun.
Ex. Ali and Ahmad are waiting.
noun conj noun
parallel structure
Ex. He received a calculator and a computer as a
gift.
noun conj noun
parallel structure
…Continues
2. Verb + conjunction + Verb.
Ex. The boy studies English or watches TV.
verb conj verb
Parallel structure
Ex. I looked for my pen but couldn’t find it.
verb conjunction verb
parallel structure
…Continues
3. Adjective + conjunction + Adjective.
Ex. She is kind and generous.
adj conj adj
parallel structure
Ex. Most of Jalalabad roads are narrow and muddy
adj conj
adj
parallel structure
…Continues
4. Adverb + conjunction + Adverb.
Ex. She talked nicely and briefly.
adv conj adv
parallel structure
Ex. They pronounce the words nicely but loud.
adv conj adv
parallel structure
…Continues
5. Infinitive + conjunction + infinitive.
Ex. I want to play cricket or to study English.
infinitive conj infinitive
parallel structure
Note: in parallel structure the second infinitive sign (to) can
be omitted.
ٍEx. I want to play cricket or study
English.
infinitive conj infinitive
parallel structure
…Continues
6. Gerund + conjunction + Gerund.
Ex. I enjoy watching TV and listening to
music. gerund conj gerund
parallel structure
Ex. He wants to quit smoking or exercising.
gerund conj gerund
parallel structure
.Punctuation of parallel structures
A parallel structure may contain more than two parts. In
a series commas are used to separate each unit the final
comma which precedes the conjunction is optional.
Ex. Ali, Ahmad, Mahmood, and Akram are here.
Note: if the parallel structure contains only two parts no
commas are used.
Ex. I like red and yellow colors.
Note: in parallel structures we can use conjunctions and,
but. Or, nor.
Termed ellipsis in parallel structures
All the time in a parallel structure we drop out
unnecessary words and this form of parallel structure in
which unnecessary words are dropped out is called
termed ellipsis.
Ex. Ali is kind, Ali is generous, Ali is loyal, and Ali is
rich.
Ali is kind, generous, loyal, and rich.
In the name of Almighty Allah.
Conjunction.
Lecture by Sarfaraz Nawabzada.
Conjunction
Conjunction is a word or group of words which connects
two words, two phrases, two clauses, two sentences or
two ideas.
Examples:
pen or pencil. (two words).
A bottle of oil and a can of milk. (two phrases).
What they say and what they do. (two clauses)
This is a pen and that is a book. (two sentences).
Conjunction
We mainly have four types of conjunctions.
Conjunction
Paired coordinating subordinating
conjunctive
Conjunctions conjunctions conjunctions Adverbs
1. Paired conjunctions.
Paired conjunctions are those conjunctions which are
used as pairs and join ideas of equal rank (parallel)
Paired conjunctions are also called correlative
conjunctions and they are neither….nor, Either….or,
both….and, not only….but also, whether….or, not….but,
as….as.
paired conj
Ex. Neither Ali nor Ahamd was sick.
parallel structure
paired conjunctions (correlative conjunctions)
Both…and/ neither…nor/ Either…or/ Not only…but also
1. Both…and: is a paired or correlative conjunction
which is used to join two positive ideas.
Structure: Both…and + plural verb.
Ex. Ali is a student. / Ahmad is a student.
paired conj
Both Ali and Ahmad are students.
parallel structure
.The verb after both…and is always plural
Neither…nor .2
Neither…nor: is paired or correlative conjunction which
is used to join two negative ideas.
Structure:
Neither…nor + singular / plural verb.
Ex. The teacher wasn’t present.
The student (s) weren’t present.
paired conjunction
Neither the teacher nor the students were present.
Closer subject
parallel structure
Plural verb (we determine the verb according to the closer subject
…Continues
paired conjunction
Neither the students nor the teacher is present.
parallel structure Closer subject
Singular verb: we determine the verb according to the closer subject
Note: after paired conjunction (neither…nor) the
verb comes according to its subject.
Either…or .3
Either…or: is paired or correlative conjunction
which is used to join two positive ideas.
Structure: Either…or + plural / singular verb
Ex. The boy has a book./ The girls have a
book.
paired conjunction
Closer subject
Either the boy or the girls have a book.
parallel
Plural verb (we structure
determine the verb according to the closer subject
…Continues
paired conjunction
Either the girls or the boy has a book.
parallel structure Closer subject
.Singular verb (we determine the verb according to the closer subject
Note: after paired conjunction (either…or) the verb
comes according to its subject.
4. Not only…but also.
Not only…but also: is a paired or correlative conjunction
which is used to join two positive ideas.
Structure: Not only…but also + plural / singular verb.
Ex. The director is here. / The teachers are here.
paired conjunction
Not only the director but also the teachers are here.
parallel structure Closer subject
Plural verb (we determine the verb according to the closer subject
Continues…
paired conjunction
Not only the teachers but also the director is here.
parallel structure Closer subject
singular verb (we determine the verb according to the closer subject
Note: after paired conjunction (not only…but also)
the verb comes according to its subject.