Parallelism = balancing items in a pair or series so that they have
the same kind of structure
Using parallelism in your writing creates clearer sentences that flow
more smoothly for your readers.
Examples can be found on p.126.
1. Lola plans to become a model, a lawyer, or to go into nursing.
Step 1: Find the series.
Lola plans to become a model, a lawyer, or to go into nursing.
Step 2: Find what doesn’t fit.
Lola plans to become a model.
Lola plans to become a lawyer.
Lola plans to become to go into nursing.
Step 3: Create a parallel structure.
Lola plans to become a model, a lawyer, or a nurse.
Parallelism - p.126
2. Filling out an income tax form is worse than wrestling a bear or to
walk on hot coals.
Filling out an income tax form is worse than wrestling a bear or to
walk on hot coals.
Filling out an income tax form is worse than wrestling a bear or
walking on hot coals.
3. The study skills course taught me how to take more effective
notes, to read a textbook chapter, and preparing for exams.
The study skills course taught me how
• to take more effective notes
• to read a textbook chapter
• preparing for exams.
The study skills course taught me how to take more effective
notes, to read a textbook chapter, and to prepare for exams.
Parallelism - p.126 -127
4. The video store has sections devoted to comedy films, dramatic
films, and films made in foreign countries.
The video store has sections devoted to comedy films, dramatic
foreign
films, and ________________
films.
5. Martha Grencher likes to water her garden, walking her fox
terrier, and arguing with her husband.
watering
Martha Grencher likes _______________
her garden, walking her fox
terrier, and arguing with her husband.
OR
walk
Martha Grencher likes to water her garden, __________
her fox terrier,
argue
and ____________
with her husband.
Parallelism - p.126 -127
6. Filled with talent and ambitious, Eduardo plugged away at his
sales job.
ambition
Filled with talent and _______________,
Eduardo plugged away at his
sales job.
7. When I saw my roommate with my girlfriend, I felt worried,
angry, and embarrassment as well.
When I saw my roommate with my girlfriend, I felt worried, angry,
embarrassed as well.
and ____________
OR
When I saw my roommate with my girlfriend, I felt worry, anger,
and embarrassment as well.
Parallelism - p.126 -127
8. Cindy’s cat likes sleeping in the dryer, lying in the bathtub, and to
chase squirrels.
Cindy’s cat likes sleeping in the dryer, lying in the bathtub, and
chasing squirrels.
9. The bacon was fatty, grease was on the potatoes, and the eggs
were cold.
The bacon was fatty,
grease was on the potatoes, and
the eggs were cold.
The bacon was fatty, the potatoes were greasy, and the eggs were cold.
Parallelism - p.126 -127
10. People in the lobby munched popcorn, sipped sodas, and were
shuffling their feet impatiently.
People in the lobby munched popcorn,
sipped sodas, and
were shuffling their feet impatiently.
People in the lobby munched popcorn, sipped sodas, and
shuffled their feet impatiently.