Parallelism (grammar)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In grammar, parallelism, also known as parallel structure or parallel construction, is a balance within one
or more sentences of similar phrases or clauses that have the same grammatical structure.[1] The
application of parallelism improves writing style and readability, and is thought to make sentences
easier to process.[2]
Lacking parallelism: She likes cooking, jogging, and to read.
Parallel: She likes cooking, jogging, and reading.
Parallel: She likes to cook, jog, and read.
Lacking parallelism: The dog ran across the yard, jumped over the fence, and down the alley he sprinted.
Parallel: The dog ran across the yard, jumped over the fence, and sprinted down the alley.
Lacking parallelism: Mr. Killinger admires people with integrity and who have character.
Parallel: Mr. Killinger admires people with integrity and character.
Parallel: Mr. Killinger admires people who have integrity and character.
Not Parallel:
The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurate ly, and in a detailed manner.
Parallel:
The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.
Not Parallel:
The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the
exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and his motivation was low.
Parallel:
The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the
exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and lacked motivation.
Not Parallel:
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to
do some warm-up exercises before the game.
Parallel:
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and
that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.
Not parallel: The construction manager established a protocol that includes
reviewing plans every morning, asking questions at stated intervals, and the
summarization of work at the end of the day.
Parallel: The construction manager established a protocol that includes reviewing
plans every morning, asking questions at stated intervals, and summarizing work
at the end of the day.
Another common mistake is mixing patterns of infinitive phrases:
Not parallel: A daily protocol was established to review plans, field questions,
and summarize work.
Parallel: A daily protocol was established to review plans, to field questions, and
to summarize work.
Forms
Mixing forms is another
Faulty Parallelism
Corrected Version
Formerly, science was taught by
the textbook method, while now
the laboratory method is
employed.
Formerly, science was taught by
the textbook method; now it is
taught by the laboratory method.
The left-hand version gives the impression that the writer is undecided or timid; he seems unable or
afraid to choose one form of expression and hold to it. The right-hand version shows that the writer has
at least made his choice and abided by it.
By this principle, an article or a preposition applying to all the members of a series must either be used
only before the first term or else be repeated before each term.
Faulty Parallelism
Corrected Version
The French, the Italians, Spanish,
and Portuguese
The French, the Italians, the
Spanish, and the Portuguese
In spring, summer, or in winter
In spring, summer, or winter (In
spring, in summer, or in winter)
Correlative expressions (both, and; not, but; not only, but also; either, or; first, second, third; and the
like) should be followed by the same grammatical construction. Many violations of this rule can be
corrected by rearranging the sentence.
Faulty Parallelism
Corrected Version
It was both a long ceremony and
very tedious.
The ceremony was both long and
tedious.
A time not for words, but action
A time not for words, but for action
Either you must grant his request
or incur his ill will.
You must either grant his request
or incur his ill will.
My objections are, first, the
injustice of the measure; second,
that it is unconstitutional.
My objections are, first, that the
measure is unjust; second, that it is
unconstitutional.
When making comparisons, the things you compare should be couched in parallel structures whenever
that is possible and appropriate.
Faulty Parallelism
Corrected Version
My income is smaller than my wife. My income is smaller than my
wife's.
1. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and she has an extremely pleasant personality.
Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and a pleasing personality.
2. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and to appreciate good prose.
In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and she appreciated good prose.
3. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Raoul's QPA is higher than Ralph.
Raoul's QPA is higher than Ralph's.
4. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and to learn about life.
He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and learning about life.
5. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a wise friend.
Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and friend.
6. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
We found the film repulsive, offensive, and we thought it was embarrassing.
We found the film repulsive, offensive, and embarrassing.
7. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Mr. Nguyen kept his store clean, neat, and he made it conveniently arranged.
Mr. Nguyen kept his store clean, neat, and conveniently arranged.
8. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Professor Ali rewarded his students for working hard on the final project and going beyond the call
of duty.
Professor Ali rewarded his students for their hard work on the final project and going beyond the
call of duty.
9. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
There's nothing I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and spending a
couple of days fishing.
There's nothing I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and to spend a
couple of days fishing.
Submit Application
Clear Answ ers
Espinoza's style was remarkable for its dexterity, grace, and she could play any position
Raoul's motivation to succeed in this program seems to be greater than his sister.
Three of the great Indian nations in the Central Plains are the Cherokee, the Choctaw, and Comanche.
Either you will begin to study now or risk failing the exam.
Carlos wasted his first year at college by not studying enough and spending too much time at parties
We have no doubt about her care and interest in the proposal.
The students prepared for their exams at home, they spent extra hours with their tutors, they did the
necessary research in the library, and asked questions in their classrooms.
Incorrect:
My degree, my work experience, and ability to complete complicated projects qualify me for the job.
Correct:
My degree, my work experience, and my ability to complete complicated projects qualify me for the job.
Incorrect:
Prepared weekly field payroll
Material purchasing, expediting, and returning
Recording OSHA regulated documentation
Change orders
Maintained hard copies of field documentation
Correct:
Prepared weekly field payroll
Handled material purchasing, expediting, and returning
Recorded OSHA regulated documentation
Processed change orders
Maintained hard copies of field documentation
Practice
Correct the following bulleted list from a final report.
On the web page there is much wasted space which is unappealing to the viewer. Following are
suggestions for eliminating the unwanted blank space:
Move some of the text into the blank space
Centering the picture
Centering the picture and add text to each side
On the right of the picture, tell a little bit about the picture (who owns the balloon, what year and where
this picture was taken, etc.)
Have pictures that stretch the length of the screen, like with a panoramic camera
Or as a last resort even take the picture out
Not Parallel: Tomorrow, I want to be shopping and eat lunch with Sarah.
Parallel: Tomorrow, I want to shop and eat lunch with Sarah.
In this sentence, the verbs to be shopping and eat lunch are the same form. To create parallel structure,
the two verbs must be structured in the same form.
Not Parallel: Sarah and I always like to shop at specialty shops, shoe stores, and in the home stores.
Parallel: Sarah and I always like to shop at specialty shops, in shoe stores, and in home stores.
This sentence lacks parallel structure for a couple of reasons. First, specialty shops and home stores are
both preceded by prepositions (at and in), but shoe stores is not. Additionally, home stores is preceded
by an article (the), but specialty shops and shoe stores are not.
Not Parallel: The best places to eat are casual, fun, and you can get a meal for cheap.
Parallel: The best places to eat are casual, fun, and inexpensive.
Revise each of the following sentences for parallel structure.
The best music is loud, fun, and you can dance to it.
Tomorrow afternoon I will shop for groceries, eat lunch with my brother, and be running all sorts of
errands.
That book we read for class was really long, wordy, and didn’t make any sense.
Original sentences are in italics. Revisions follow.
The best music is loud, fun, and you can dance to it. Revision: The best music is loud, fun, and easy to
dance to.
Tomorrow afternoon I will shop for groceries, eat lunch with my brother, and be running all sorts of
errands. Revision: Tomorrow afternoon I will shop for groceries, eat lunch with my brother, and run all
sorts of errands.
That book we read for class was really long, wordy, and didn’t make any sense. Revision: That book we
read for class was really long, wordy, and confusing.