Which of the following is NOT an example of parallel structure?
"Yoga can help you develop flexibility, reduce stress, and increase relaxation."
"Learn how to analyze business audiences, improve your style, and edit thoroughly."
"You are all encouraged to come and share ideas, express concerns, and ask questions."
"You can pay by credit card, check, or just fill out a payroll deduction card."
Which one has a verb in each phrase?
"Learn how to analyze business audiences, improve your style, and edit thoroughly."
To determine which of the options is NOT an example of parallel structure, we need to understand what parallel structure is. Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, refers to using the same grammatical structure or pattern in a series of words, phrases, or clauses. This creates balance and clarity in writing or speaking.
Let's analyze each option:
1. "Yoga can help you develop flexibility, reduce stress, and increase relaxation."
This sentence is an example of parallel structure. Each verb ("develop," "reduce," "increase") is in the infinitive form, and each element follows the same structure.
2. "Learn how to analyze business audiences, improve your style, and edit thoroughly."
This is also an example of parallel structure. Each element begins with the verb "learn how to," followed by an action ("analyze," "improve," "edit").
3. "You are all encouraged to come and share ideas, express concerns, and ask questions."
This sentence is parallel because each phrase begins with the verb "encouraged to" and is followed by a verb ("come," "share," "express," "ask").
4. "You can pay by credit card, check, or just fill out a payroll deduction card."
This sentence is NOT an example of parallel structure because it does not follow a consistent grammatical pattern. The first two options ("credit card" and "check") are noun phrases, while the third option ("just fill out a payroll deduction card") is a complete clause. The lack of parallelism in structure makes this the answer to the question.
Therefore, option 4, "You can pay by credit card, check, or just fill out a payroll deduction card," is NOT an example of parallel structure.