To State Words Phrases or Sentences Again for Emphasis Definition

a moving picture of a mask mandate that lacks parallel structure

What is Parallelism, Parallel Structure, Parallel Construction?

Parallelism, aka Parallel Construction or Parallel Structure, is a grammatical structure in an English sentence.

A judgement uses parallelism when ii or more than elements in the sentence are grammatically similar or identical in structure, sound, meaning, or meter, equally illustrated below.

Related Concepts: Edit for Parallelism; Voice; Tone;

Why does Parallelism Matter?

Parallel Structure matters because it'southward a basic building block of the English sentence, whether the discourse is oral or written.

Parallelism is a powerful tool for writers, speakers, knowledge workers:

1. Parallelism can create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. Consider, e.m.,

"I have a dream that one twenty-four hour period fifty-fifty the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, volition exist transformed into an haven of freedom and justice. I accept a dream that my four little children volition one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their peel but by the content of their character. I have a dream today."

Martin Luther King Jr.

two. Parallelism can aid writers achieve brevity and simplicity, ii major attributes of gimmicky discourse. For instance, utilize of participle phrases tin can assistance organize a number of different things around i subject, thereby enabling the writer to avoid repeating a subject. Example:

"I similar studying, sleeping, and going to the embankment."
Imaging how tedious that sentence would be, how primer like, if the writer said "I similar studying. I like sleeping. I like going to the beach."

3. Parallelism fosters reading comprehension considering information technology enables readers to chunk information — elements of a sentence (e.thou., words, phrases, sentences) — every bit coequal and related. Parallelism enables writers to add symmetry, effectiveness, and residue to their texts.

Errors in parallelism are serious because they impede communication, resulting in confused readers. When writers, speakers, cognition workers . . . fail to use parallel structure, all hell breaks loose and defoliation sets in. Atrophy happens. Online, readers click abroad.

Why?

As readers skim through sentences, they conceptualize what should follow based on their tacit knowledge of English grammar and mechanics. When awriter starts list a serial, readers expect them to consummate that series with more examples.

Then, when some other sentence structures are introduced and the series is not completed, readers fall off track and miscommunication happens.

Tin I See Some Examples of Parallelism?

Hither is an example of a judgement with incorrect parallel construction:

"I like to study, sleeping, and to go to the beach."
In this instance, which mentions three activities, the listing does not apply parallel structure. The terms are non parallel. In that location are two infinitives (to report, to go to the beach) and one gerund (sleeping). To put it another manner, the three items in this listing don't match. This judgement is grammatically incorrect.

Hither is an example of a sentence with correct parallel structure:

"I similar studying, sleeping, and going to the beach."
In this example, all 3 items in the list are gerunds (studying, sleeping, going). They match. The list is parallel, and the judgement is grammatically right.

Why is information technology important to use parallel structure?

Lack of parallel construction can disrupt the rhythm of a sentence, leaving it grammatically unbalanced. Proper parallel construction helps to found residue and flow in a well-constructed sentence; the alignment of related ideas supports readability and clarity.

Let's look at an instance:

Not Parallel: The President traveled to several cities meeting voters, to requite speeches, and ask for entrada funds.
Parallel: The President traveled to several cities meeting voters, giving speeches, and asking for campaign funds.

Is not having parallel structure ever incorrect?

For the most office, yeah. Normally an error with parallelism will throw off the rhythm of your sentence, leaving the reader confused but not certain why. These kinds of errors will not e'er interfere with comprehension, but they will impact the style of your writing, placing an undue brunt on the reader as he or she struggles to decipher your intention. Unless you are making a specific bespeak and want the reader off balance in that mode, employ parallel structure in your writing.

Parallelism in Grammatical Structures

Because sentences can contain a variety of grammatical elements, they tin have parallel structure in a number of means.

Parallel Structure in Lists

Any fourth dimension you lot list words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence, they should have parallel structure. For example:

I similar to bike, swim, and ride.
Notice that each element in the list of things that the speaker likes to do is in the same verb class. That way, information technology's clear for the reader that the 3 elements of the judgement belong together in the same category–this list.

Inconsistent parallelism becomes pretty clear in short lists, like the ane higher up. If you say I like to bike, pond, and I ride a lot, yous are most likely to notice that these elements don't belong together.

Please note the utilize of the Oxford comma (or "serial comma") when creating lists. The use and misuse of this comma tin change the meaning of your sentences. Consider these examples:

"My heroes are my two uncles, George Washington, and Martin Luther Male monarch, Jr."
This sentence implies you accept 4 heroes: One uncle, some other uncle, Washington, and King.

"My heroes are my ii uncles, George Washington and Martin Luther Rex, Jr."

This judgement implies that yous accept two uncles who are both major figures of American history.

[ Commas ]

Parallel Structure with Articles — A and An

Incorrect: I couldn't determine if I wanted to habiliment a formal apparel, fun brim, or jeans and a t-shirt.

This ane is catchy, but notice the employ of the word "a."

Correct: I couldn't decide if I wanted to clothing a formal wearing apparel, a fun skirt, or jeans and a t-shirt.

Incorrect: At this new task, expect to work with emerging technology, to develop innovative solutions, and interact with talented professionals.

Hint: Lookout man the word "to."

Correct: At this new chore, expect to work with emerging technology, to develop innovative solutions, and to interact with talented professionals.Correct: At this new job, look to piece of work with emerging engineering, develop innovative solutions, and collaborate with talented professionals.

Parallel Structure with Correlative Conjunctions

The employ of a correlative conjunction (not simply … but also, either …. or, neither … nor, both … and) requires parallel structure of both clauses or both phrases in the judgement. If a verb follows the commencement correlative conjunction, so a verb should follow the second conjunction in the gear up. Consider the alternative ways yous can construct sentences around each pair of words to maintain parallel structure:

Using verbs: Whether you write or edit for the schoolhouse paper, you have a very important free press responsibility to tell the truth.

Using nouns: Amber is as friendly a person every bit she is an informed and aware scholar.

Using prepositional phrases: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is useful not merely for businesses only as well for consumers.

Using adjective phrases: There are many aspects to SEO, from the words on your folio to the way other sites link to yous on the web.

Incorrect: When deciding whether to travel by car or aeroplane, travelers must consider not simply the cost just besides know how far the destination is.

"Price" is a substantive; "know how far" is a phrase.

Correct: When deciding whether to travel by car or plane, travelers must consider not just the price but besides the altitude.

Incorrect: Many college students must balance not only part-fourth dimension jobs but also taking full-time course loads.

"Part-time jobs" is a noun; "Taking full-time class loads" is a phrase.

Right: Many higher students must residue non only part-time jobs but as well full-fourth dimension course loads.

Parallel Construction with Comparisons

Wrong: To make new friends, Jessie idea running on the track squad was better than membership in the chess society.

"Running" is a gerund; "membership" is a noun.

Correct: To make new friends, Jessie thought running on the rail team was better than joining the chess club.

Parallel Construction in Voice

Wrong: You lot can either pay the service fee at present, or the pecker can be paid later.

You lot should have a consistent subject (you) doing both things.

Correct: Y'all can either pay the service fee now, or you tin can pay the beak later.

Correct: The service fee can exist paid now, or the bill can be paid later.

[ Vox ]

Parallel Structure in Phrases

Incorrect: Please place the football game on the counter or you can put information technology in the shed.

Correct: Delight place the football on the counter or in the shed.

Parallel Structure in Clauses

Incorrect: My parents did not corroborate of my actions or what I said.

Correct: My parents did not corroborate of what I did nor what I said.

Parallelism in Activity

Incorrect: According to my taxes, I donated money to a women's center, children's hospitals, and a public school concluding year.

Right: Co-ordinate to my taxes, I donated coin to a women'due south middle, two children's hospitals, and a public school last year.

Incorrect: I taught my sister to speak properly, eating correctly, and saying "thank you."

Correct: I taught my sister to speak properly, to eat correctly, and to say "give thanks you."

Right: I taught my sis to speak properly, eat correctly, and say "thank yous."

Incorrect: Craft projects encourage kids to be creative, to be patient, and allows them to experience a sense of accomplishment.

Correct: Craft projects encourage kids to be artistic, to be patient, and to capeesh a job well done.

Correct: Arts and crafts projects encourage kids to be creative, to be patient, and to accomplish tasks that can boost their cocky-esteem.

Correct: Arts and crafts projects encourage kids to be creative, to exist patient, and to have pride in their piece of work.

Incorrect: Wikipedia is an ambitious project that lacks sufficient credibility for higher work but equally an example of "crowdsourcing" it is intriguing.

Correct: Wikipedia is an ambitious project that lacks sufficient credibility for college piece of work merely provides an intriguing example of "crowdsourcing."

Incorrect: To complete this ceiling fan installation, yous will need a screwdriver, wrench, a pair of pliers, ii standard calorie-free bulbs, electrical tape, and patience.

Correct: To complete this ceiling fan installation, you will need a screwdriver, a wrench, a pair of pliers, two standard light bulbs, electrical tape, and patience.

Wrong: In some parts of the country, a carbonated beverage is called "soda," whereas "pop" is used in other parts of the country.

Correct: In some parts of the state, a carbonated beverage is called "soda," whereas in other parts of the country, information technology is called "pop."

Incorrect: The all-time American western movies look every bit though they were filmed on location in the American west, but Europe was the shooting location for many of them.

Right: The best American western movies look as though they were filmed on location in the American west, but many were actually filmed far away in Europe.

Incorrect: Many controversial works of literature have been banned from schoolhouse libraries. Examples include "Howl," a verse form by Allen Ginsberg; the great Mark Twain novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; and J.D. Salinger's young adult favorite The Catcher in the Rye; and even the Bible has found itself banned at times as well.

Right: Many controversial works of literature take been banned from school libraries. Examples include "Howl," a poem by Allen Ginsberg; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the groovy novel by Mark Twain; The Catcher in the Rye, the young developed favorite by J.D. Salinger; and fifty-fifty the Bible.

Incorrect: "The vessel also has a 1,380-seat theater that will bear witness the Broadway musical Grease, comedy club, jazz club, casino, aquatheater and karaoke bar."

Sloan, Cistron. "Largest cruise send ever sets sail on countdown voyage." Usa Today ,23 May 2016.

Right: The vessel also has a 1,380-seat theater that will show the Broadway musical Grease. The theater as well acts every bit a one-act lodge, jazz order, casino, aquatheater, and karaoke bar.

Edit for Parallel Structure

How Can I Place Bug with Parallelism, Parallel Structure?

To edit for parallel structure issues, place lists of words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence, identify all the parts of the list, and check whether all those parts take the same grammatical form.

1. First, identify whether your sentence contains multiple words, phrases, or clauses that list like information.

I like going angling, food, and France.

The sentence contains a list of words and phrases naming things that I similar: going fishing, food, and France.

2. 2d, cheque whether all those pieces of the judgement take the same grammatical grade. For case, if one is just a noun, they should all be nouns, or if one is an "-ing" verb, they should all be "-ing" verbs.

I like going angling, food, and France.

I likegoing line-fishing ["-ing" verb phrase],food [noun], andFrance [substantive]. These three items in the list are not in the same grammatical format.

If the pieces of the list are non in the aforementioned grammatical format, your sentence does non have parallel structure: yous should revise to create parallel structure.

Tertiary, change all the listed pieces of your sentence to take the same grammatical class. At that place are many ways to do this. Below are two examples.

I likegoing angling,food, andFrance.

one. Make all iii items in the list "-ing" verb phrases.

Revised: I similargoing line-fishing,eating food, andvisiting France.

ii. Make all 3 items in the list nouns.

Revised: I likefishing,nutrient, andFrench republic.

If y'all exercise not know how to change a discussion from one grammatical form to another, wait it upward in the lexicon! Right later each discussion, it volition tell you lot the word grade (substantive, verb, adjective, adverb, and so on). If it doesn't say the proper noun of the word course, at that place volition be an abbreviation in parenthesis. The near common word forms are (n) = noun, (v) = verb, (adj) = adjective, and (adv) = adverb. Creating different word forms in English tin can be disruptive, so if you're not sure how to change a verb to a noun, it's best to wait upward the word in the lexicon.

How tin a sentence be revised to reverberate parallel structure?

Find a list within a judgement : Look for words or phrases of equal importance that are separated past commas and joined by a conjunction

Not parallel: Dr. Kall challenged his students to initiate their ain learning, be creative problem-solvers, and call back independently. (In this judgement, Dr. Kall wants his students to do or be three things, but the items in this listing are not parallel in structure.)

ii. Evaluate the word forms inside the list.

Do the verbs announced as infinitives (to + verb), or gerunds (-ing words)? As present tense or past tense? (Cull the vocalism and tense of the verb that is consistent with surrounding sentences.)
Practice the nouns or pronouns and their modifiers announced in consequent grade?

3. Alter the words in the list to create proper parallel structure .

Parallel: Dr. Kall challenged his students to become self-motivated learners, creative problem-solvers, and independent thinkers. (In this judgement, Dr. Kall wants his students to be 3 things instead of a combination of being and doing. Additionally, the list follows a pattern since the nouns and adjectives all appear in parallel class.)

Exercises

Identify each sentence as correct or wrong. Revise the sentences that are incorrect.

Circling above, the hawks scanned the basis for tiny field mice, for baby raccoons almost streams, and some chipmunks were running in the wheat field.
Red-tailed hawks perch on contend posts along the back road and on electric poles near the metropolis.
Doctors are encouraging patients to consume more water and exercising iii times a week.
The hotel clerk told Geoffrey to cancel his reservation or he should pay for the room in cash.
Her father said he would take the family either to the Grand Coulee or they could see the Painted Desert.
A news story on the cable networks today is not so much a news story as information technology is a questionable manipulation of the truth.
Have watching television receiver, using computers, and prison cell phones negatively impacted our culture?
Is cable news today reliable, unbiased, and authentic?
Employees must not only wear protective covering but besides ID badges should be carried at all times.
It is better to evidence up for piece of work on time than running behind schedule.

Marking correct or incorrect for parallel structure. Revise the sentences that are incorrect.

During Isabella's trip to Florence, she visited the Uffizi Museum, toured St. Peter'southward Cathedral, and went shopping in Florence.
To her relief, many Italians spoke English language to visitors and were translating Italian for American tourists.
She was most impressed by the sculptures of Michelangelo, includingDavid, thePieta, and the ane of Moses.
If you travel to Florence, exist sure to visit the small shops along the narrow alleys where hand-fabricated leather suitcases, briefcases, and purses are sold.
Likewise, be certain to pack lightly, to buy railroad train tickets ahead of time, and to carry ii credit cards.
In her travel article, Olive Ventini claims that tourists can visit the Duomo di Firenze as long as they arrive early and taking pictures is avoided.
The English-Italian dictionary is helpful not only to those who speak Italian but too many people trying to larn.
Finding a inexpensive hotel room is hard during wintertime months, merely hostels are a nifty alternative if you do not mind sharing a room and sleeping on a difficult mattress.
Michelangelo, a true Renaissance homo, was a great painter and he made many sculptures.
Either plan to stay in Rome for several weeks or making a quick visit is a possibility.
Some debate that getting enrolled into college classes is harder than to take the actual courses.
Co-ordinate to those who practice mindfulness, it is easier to brainstorm meditating for a few minutes than to sit for xv minutes.
George and Martha learned it is better to trust their intuition when traveling than listening to advice from strangers.
Taking notes requires summarizing fundamental points, highlighting details, and exist certain to use a consistent method.
Running the 100 meter hurdles is easier than when you run the 300 meter hurdles.

Mark correct or incorrect for parallel structure. Revise the sentences that are incorrect.

At the park Jimmy enjoys climbing on the monkey bars, swinging on the tire swing, and to play in the sandbox.
Gas prices are about record highs; drivers must carpool, to check their tire force per unit area, and driving no faster than the speed limit.
Jessica fabricated an "A" on her science project, a "B" on her math quiz, and her English quiz was 100 percent.
College is hard; students must read all the assignments, complete all the homework, and attend all the classes.
In order to succeed in higher, one must written report hard, manage 1'due south time, and have advantage of opportunities for assistance.
To make a skillful grade, reading the book, to turn in the homework assignments, and attendance must be priorities.
The grade was based on the score on the final exam, the number of labs completed, and if we missed too many classes.
Your assignment may be done in pencil, pen, or type it on a computer.
The library has 3 sections: the circulation desk, the reference area, and the study rooms.
Fifty-fifty when he works out and volition consume good for you, Jonathan has a hard fourth dimension keeping slim.

Mark correct or wrong for parallel structure. Revise the sentences that are incorrect.

Considering Sue neither eats well nor is exercising, she has no hope of losing weight before her hymeneals.
Yoshi loves music, conversation, and to get dancing in clubs.
Steven enjoys playing video games, listening to heavy metal, and skateboarding.
Leslie prefers watching television, reading a good book, or a romantic movie.
Jim is always on his iPhone talking, texting, or when he checks his e-mail.
The land's biggest issues are economic, social, and the conflicts in the Eye E.
In his spoken communication, the candidate addressed the financial meltdown, the war in Afghanistan, and the wellness care system.
Luis likes not only spaghetti and salad merely also to grill burgers on the barbecue.
The babysitter forgot to requite the infant a bath, to wash the dishes, and to take out the trash.
The job application asked for my accost, my educational level, and what my piece of work feel is.

Recommended Resource

Video on Parallel Structure

2nd Video on Parallel Construction

irwinthinge.blogspot.com

Source: https://writingcommons.org/section/grammar/parallelism-parallel-structure/