平行结构与比较级

平行结构很多情况下是由形容词或副词的比较级或者暗含比较意味的连词引导的。如：

The ideal listener stays both inside and outside the music at the moment it is played and enjoys it almost as much as the composer at the moment he composes.

大多数情况下平行结构都是具有一定的比较含义的，有的是递进对比not only…but (also) ;prefer…to…;rather than有的是同类对比：and ;but;or;both… and…;either…or…; neither…nor………

平行结构测试时候注意以下几点：

1.注意比较结构中相比较的内容在语法形式上是否相同。如：

It is better to die one"s feet than .

[A]living on one"s knees [B]live on one"s knees

[C]on one"s knees [D]to live on one"s knees

(答案为D)

Despite the temporary difficulties， the manager prefers increasing the output to decreasing it.

2.其他具有并列或比较意义的短语也可引导平行结构。

1)rather than， let alone 虽不是并列连词，但在结构上连接两个语法形式相同的成分。如：

We are taught that a business letter should be written in a formal style in a personal style.

[A]rather than [B]other than [C]better than [D]less than

答案为A

For the new country to survive， for its people to enjoy prosperity， new economic policies will be required.

[A] to name a few [B]let alone [C]not to speak [D]let"s say

(答案为B)

2)如果平行的两个成分在形式上是介词短语，而且介词相同，一般说来第二个介词不要省略。如：

At times， more care goes into the composition of newspaper and magazine advertisements than into the writing of the features and editorials.