Which sentence correctly uses parallel structure? The boss wants to know who can take the late shift tonight, open tomorrow morning, and who can work on the holiday. The boss wants to know who wants the late shift tonight, who can open tomorrow morning, and if you will work on the holiday. The boss wants to know who can take the late shift tonight, who can open tomorrow morning, and who can work on the holiday. The boss wants to know who can take the late shift tonight, who can open tomorrow morning, and which of us wants to work on the holiday.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The sentence that correctly uses parallel structure is: “The boss wants to know who can take the late shift tonight, who can open tomorrow morning, and who can work on the holiday.”
Explanation of Parallel Structure
Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, is a grammatical construction that involves using the same pattern of words or phrases to create a balanced and harmonious sentence. This technique enhances clarity, readability, and rhythm in writing, making it easier for the reader to understand the relationships between ideas.
In the selected correct sentence, each clause follows the same grammatical structure: “who can take,” “who can open,” and “who can work.” This consistency in structure creates a sense of cohesion and clarity, allowing the reader to easily process the information being conveyed. The repetition of “who can” establishes a clear pattern, indicating that the boss is asking about three different but related shifts, all requiring the same type of response.
In contrast, the other options demonstrate a lack of parallel structure:
- “The boss wants to know who can take the late shift tonight, open tomorrow morning, and who can work on the holiday.”
- This sentence mixes clauses without maintaining a consistent structure; “open tomorrow morning” does not parallel the other clauses.
- “The boss wants to know who wants the late shift tonight, who can open tomorrow morning, and if you will work on the holiday.”
- Here, the phrase “if you will work” disrupts the parallelism because it shifts from a question about “who” to a question about “if,” creating inconsistency.
- “The boss wants to know who can take the late shift tonight, who can open tomorrow morning, and which of us wants to work on the holiday.”
- In this option, “which of us wants” alters the structure by changing from “who can” to “which,” breaking the parallel flow.
By maintaining a consistent grammatical pattern throughout, the correct sentence effectively communicates the boss’s inquiry in a clear and organized manner.