IXL | Use parallel structure | 9th grade language arts

Complete the sentence.

The spider Dolomedes facetus can not only

walk on water, but it can also catch and eat a fish as big as 3.5 inches in length.

Not only can the spider Dolomedes facetus

The spider Dolomedes facetus can not only

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

question

Complete the sentence.

Snakes propel themselves along the ground with S-shaped movements, using both their ventral scales—which grip the ground like the tread on a tire—and

coordinated muscle contractions

by contracting their muscles

key idea

When two or more words, phrases, or clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction to form a series, those elements must be parallel in structure. Parallel elements have the same grammatical function in the sentence.

red X symbol, The community center is a hub of activity and well equipped for meetings.

The second element is not a noun phrase.

green checkmark, The community center is a hub of activity and a well-equipped meeting space.

Both elements are noun phrases.

For joined verb phrases, each phrase must contain its own helping or modal verb, or the initial helping or modal verb must apply to all of the phrases.

red X symbol, Sarah will order the flowers, pick up the decorations, and might help us set up.

The second element is missing a modal verb.

green checkmark, Sarah will order the flowers, will pick up the decorations, and might help us set up.

All three elements have a modal verb.

green checkmark, Sarah will order the flowers, pick up the decorations, and help us set up.

The modal verb applies to all of the elements.

Correlative conjunctions, like both/and, either/or, neither/nor, and not only/but also, must also join parallel elements.

red X symbol, Leslie is neither tall nor is she particularly athletic.

The first element is an adjective. The second element is a clause.

green checkmark, Leslie is neither tall nor particularly athletic.

The first element is an adjective. The second element is an adjective phrase.

solution

The sentence uses the correlative conjunctions both/and. In this sentence, the correlative conjunctions join two noun phrases, so the correct answer is coordinated muscle contractions.

Snakes propel themselves along the ground with S-shaped movements, using both their ventral scales—which grip the ground like the tread on a tire—and coordinated muscle contractions.

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Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

O.3Identify sentences with parallel structure

R.2Use parallel structure

PP.2Identify coordinating conjunctions

JJ.1Use the correct pair of correlative conjunctions

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