Ngak Sulit! TOEFL Structure Skill 25 (Use Parallel Structure with Paired Conjunctions) Exercise 25

Summary

In this video, Teacher Taufik from English Fit Me continues the discussion on TOEFL ITP preparation, specifically focusing on skill 25 of the Longman series, which covers the use of parallel structures with paired conjunctions (such as both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also). Taufik explains the importance of matching these conjunctions with their correct pairs and ensuring that the sentence elements following them are parallel in structure. Various examples and common mistakes are reviewed to help viewers understand and apply parallel structure rules in TOEFL exam sentences.

Takeaways

• 📘 Skill 25 focuses on using parallel structure with paired conjunctions.
• 📝 Paired conjunctions include 'both...and,' 'either...or,' 'neither...nor,' and 'not only...but also.'
• ⚠️ Paired conjunctions must always be used correctly (e.g., 'both' with 'and,' 'either' with 'or'). Using incorrect pairs, like 'both...or,' is a common error.
• 📖 Parallel structure requires that the elements joined by the conjunctions must be the same part of speech or grammatical structure.
• 🔄 Examples of correct parallel structure include sentences like 'I want both this book and that one.'
• 🚨 A common error is mixing different grammatical forms after conjunctions, such as using a noun with a verb or an infinitive with a prepositional phrase.
• ✅ To correct sentences with paired conjunctions, ensure both parts of the sentence are balanced and match in structure.
• 💡 The lesson provides multiple ways to correct non-parallel sentences using paired conjunctions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining balance.
• 📊 The video emphasizes two key points: using correct paired conjunctions and ensuring that the sentence elements they connect are parallel in structure.
• 🔍 Practice exercises focus on identifying and correcting errors with paired conjunctions and parallel structure in sample sentences.

Q & A

What is the main focus of skill 25 in the TOEFL ITP Longman preparation?

Skill 25 focuses on using parallel structure with paired conjunctions, which are specific types of conjunctions that always come in pairs, such as 'both...and', 'either...or', 'neither...nor', and 'not only...but also'.

How does skill 25 differ from skill 24?

Skill 24 also deals with parallel structure, but it focuses on coordinating conjunctions like 'and', 'but', and 'or', whereas skill 25 emphasizes the use of paired conjunctions like 'either...or' and 'neither...nor'.

Why is it important to ensure correct pairings in paired conjunctions?

Correct pairings ensure grammatical accuracy. For example, 'both' should always be paired with 'and', not 'or'. If the pair is incorrect, the sentence will be grammatically wrong.

What is an example of incorrect usage of paired conjunctions from the video script?

An example is the sentence 'I want both this book or that one.' Here, 'both' should be paired with 'and' instead of 'or'. The correct sentence would be 'I want both this book and that one.'

What is parallel structure, and why is it important when using paired conjunctions?

Parallel structure refers to ensuring that the elements joined by conjunctions are grammatically similar or 'balanced'. For example, if one side of a conjunction has a verb, the other side should also have a verb. This creates a more coherent and grammatically correct sentence.

Can you give an example of parallel structure with paired conjunctions?

Yes, an example is 'He wants either to go by train or by plane.' Both phrases 'to go by train' and 'by plane' are balanced and follow a parallel structure.

What is the error in the sentence: 'He wants either to go by train or plane'?

The sentence lacks parallel structure because 'to go by train' is an infinitive phrase, but 'plane' is just a noun. To correct it, either add 'to go' before 'plane', or remove 'to go' from the first part, like 'He wants either to go by train or to go by plane.'

Why is it necessary to maintain balance between elements when using paired conjunctions?

Maintaining balance between elements ensures that the sentence is clear and grammatically correct. Without balance, the sentence may confuse the reader or listener and fail to convey the intended meaning.

What should you do if a sentence contains 'not only...but also' but lacks parallel structure?

If 'not only...but also' lacks parallel structure, you need to revise the sentence to ensure balance between the two parts. For example, 'She not only wants to travel but also enjoys traveling' is incorrect because 'to travel' is an infinitive and 'enjoys traveling' is a verb phrase. It should be corrected to 'She not only wants to travel but also wants to enjoy traveling.'

How does using parallel structure with paired conjunctions help in the TOEFL ITP exam?

Using parallel structure with paired conjunctions helps in answering questions related to sentence correction, ensuring grammatical accuracy and coherence. This is essential in TOEFL ITP, where such questions often test the ability to identify and fix errors in sentence structure.