Parallelism
Parallelize non-parallel sentences
Parallelism, or parallel construction, means the use of the same pattern of words for two or
more ideas that have the same level of importance.
When a sentence or passage lacks parallel construction, it is likely to seem disorganized.
The reader may have to reread it to grasp the meaning or may misunderstand the
relationship among ideas.
Some helpful hints on how to revise sentences for
parallel structure:
Figure out what parts of the sentence are being compared.
Decide whether they are parallel, i.e. arranged or constructed in the same way.
If they are not, make them parallel by making the grammatical construction the same in
each part.
KNOW WHEN PARALLEL STRUCTURE IS REQUIRED.
For items in a list
For words or phrases joined by a coordinating conjunction: and, but, yet, or, nor, for, so
For words or phrases that follow each half of a correlative conjunction such as both/and,
not only/but also, (n)either/(n)or, whether/or
For words or phrases introduced by a comparison word, usually than or as
How to Correct Faulty/Non-Parallel Sentences ?
There is more than one way to correct the sentences. While just changing the faulty verbs is
sometimes the answer, at time you need to completely re-do the sentence by
Re-arranging the words.
Using a semi-colon to make two sentences connected together.
Putting extra information in parenthesis.
PUT STRUCTURALLY EQUIVALENT WORDS OR PHRASES
IN THE SAME PART OF SPEECH.
Non-parallel: The position required experience, friendly, and get up early.
Parallel (all nouns): The position required experience, friendliness, and a willingness to get
up early.
Parallel (all adjectives): They wanted someone who was experienced, friendly, and willing
to get up early.
Parallel (all verbs): They wanted someone who had experience, was friendly, and liked to
get up early.
PUT STRUCTURALLY EQUIVALENT VERBS IN THE SAME
FORM.
Non-parallel: Good health requires eating right and exercise regularly.
Parallel: Good health requires eating right and exercising regularly.
Parallel: I have always eaten right and exercised regularly.
Parallel: It is just as important to eat right as to exercise regularly.
Parallel: A person should not only eat right but also exercise regularly.
Parallel: My overworked boss neither eats right nor exercises regularly.
USE CLAUSES OR COMPLETE SENTENCES
CONSISTENTLY.
Non-parallel: Three reasons were given for the concert’s cancellation: the lead singer was
sick, low ticket sales, and because the drummer had left the band.
Parallel Sentences: Three reasons were given for the concert’s cancellation: the lead
singer was sick, ticket sales were low, and the drummer had left the band.
Non-parallel: The county explained when the cleanup would begin and it would be
funded by a referendum.
Parallel Clauses: The county explained when the cleanup would begin and how it would
be funded.
Parallel Clauses: The county explained that the clean-up would begin in June and that it
would be funded by a referendum.
As you work on the overall style or flow of your writing, CONSIDER USING
PARALLELISM TO STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG SENTENCES.
Writing is a rigorous activity. It requires you to think deeply, expending both mental and
emotional energy. It also requires you to pay careful attention to details, double checking
both word choice and punctuation.
Non-parallel: Ellen likes hiking, the rodeo, and to take afternoon naps.
Parallel: Ellen likes hiking, attending the rodeo, and taking afternoon naps.
OR
Ellen likes to hike, attend the rodeo, and take afternoon naps.
Non-parallel: My best friend took me dancing and to a show.
Parallel: My best friend took me to a dance and a show.
Non-parallel: My dog not only likes to play fetch, but also chase cars.
Parallel: My dog not only likes to play fetch, but he also likes to chase cars.
OR
My dog likes not only to play fetch, but also to chase cars.
Non-parallel: I would rather pay for my education than financial aid.
Parallel: I would rather pay for my education than receive financial aid.
Not Parallel: John Taylor Gatto criticizes public schools because they are compulsory,
funded by the government, and destroy students' humanity.
Parallel: John Taylor Gatto criticizes public schools because they are compulsory,
government-funded, and normalizing.
OR
John Taylor Gatto criticizes public schools because they require students to attend, receive
money from the government, and destroy students' humanity
Practice Exercise
Re-write the following sentences so that each has a list using the same verb or noun form.
The English teacher spoke in a nasal tone, unpleasantly, but conveying the information
clearly and was funny.
The coach told his players that they should get plenty of water, to not eat sugary snacks,
and being sure they are getting plenty of sleep.
Benefits of coaching include: knowing each player, helping that player to improve and to
get to see that person succeed in life.
At the party, my sister helped us make the cake, gathering the kids for games, clean up
and to drive some kids home.
Exercises that I enjoy doing are marathon running, to swim lengths in a pool, riding my
bicycle in the park, and to walk along the trails in a forest. We must either change the laws
about drunk driving or it will be necessary to start enforcing them more strictly.
We must either change the laws about drunk driving or it will be necessary to start
enforcing them more strictly.
The protestors were gathering outside, held signs, starting to shout loudly and stopped the
speaker from being heard.
My sister-in-law loves fad diets and has tried: eating only meat, to not eat anything but
rice, smoothies every morning while not restricting anything else, and fasting 12 hours a
day.
To my horror, my wedding dress looked stained, torn and it had wrinkles.
Our latest math instructor was enthusiastic, cracked a lot of jokes, is demanding, and
failed half the class.
Sample Answers
The English teacher had unpleasant, nasal tone, but conveyed the information clearly
and humorously.
The coach told his players to get plenty of water, not eat sugary snacks and be sure they
get plenty of sleep.
Benefits of coaching include: knowing each player, helping that player improve and
seeing that person succeed in life.
At the party, my sister helped us make the cake, gathered the kids for games, cleaned up
the mess, and drove some kids home.
Exercises I enjoy doing are running marathons, swimming lengths in a pool, riding my
bicycle in the park and walking along the trails in a forest.
We must either change the laws about drunk driving or start enforcing them more strictly.
The protesters gathered outside, held signs, started shouting loudly and stopped the
speaker from being heard.
My sister-in-law loves fad diets and has tried: eating only meat, consuming nothing but
rice, drinking smoothies in the morning (while not restricting anything else), and fasting 12
hours every day.
To my horror, my wedding dress looked stained, torn, and wrinkled.
Our latest math instructor was enthusiastic, joking, and demanding; in fact, she failed half
of the class.
