Parallel Structure in Writing
Parallel Structure in Writing
Learning Objectives
Recognize parallelism/parallel structures.
Identify faulty parallelism.
Correct faulty parallelism.
Let's Solve a Mystery
Complete the series involving symbols: f, @, mel, ?. The answer is A, as 'All are developed by Zuckerberg'.
Another series involves planets.
What is Parallelism?
Parallelism is the placement of equal ideas in words, phrases, or clauses of similar types.
Parallel Words
Example: The company is looking for a candidate who is friendly, organized, meticulous, and punctual.
The part of speech used to show parallelism in the example sentence is adjectives.
Example: He went into the forest, cut branches from the trees, and returned home in the evening.
Choose the Most Appropriate Answer
Example: The Delta variant is spreading more quickly, more efficiently, and more aggressively.
Parallel Phrases
Example: Her main duties were answering phone calls, filing records, and conducting visitor surveys.
Phrases: Prepositional Phrases
Begins with a preposition and ends with an object (noun/pronoun).
Example: The scared cat climbed up a tree and onto a branch.
Phrases: Infinitive Phrase
To + base form of the verb
Example: The old man told the young man to let it out of his system and to share his fears fearlessly.
Phrases: Gerund Phrase
Present participle form of the verb (acts as a noun).
Example: Studying at UST JHS, maintaining a scholarship, and becoming an honor student are Herculean tasks.
Phrases: Participial Phrase
Present or past participle form of the verb (acts as an adjective).
Example: Smiling toward the camera, listening intently to the lesson, and jotting down notes, Bill was happy today at school.
Phrases: Noun Phrase
A phrase formed by a noun and all its modifiers and determiners.
Example: Jim is a devout Catholic, a loving son, a loyal husband, a fun dad, and a responsible employee.
Identify Non-Parallel Structure
The business accepts cash, credit cards, and you can even pay with a check.
She aspires to finish college and becoming an accountant would be another goal.
Lily likes eating Piattos and to binge-watch series on Netflix.
Finish the Sentence
The cats are everywhere. (Use prepositional phrases to locate them!)
Parallel Clauses
Example: Who my parents are, where we live, and how much money we have are irrelevant to the success I may have in the future.
Clauses: Noun Clause
Acts as a noun and it frequently begins with that, which, who, whom, whose, whatever, whichever, whoever, whomever, when, where, how, if, and what.
Example: To get rid of the cat is what Regis would like, but what I would hate.
Clauses: Adjective Clause
Acts as an adjective and it modifies or describes nouns, and it usually begins with a relative pronoun like that, which, or who.
Example: In the village were a mother and her child who lived poorly and who were often half-starved.
Clauses: Adverbial Clause
Modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb and unlike other types of clauses, an adverbial clause is always a dependent clause.
Example: I may save you when we meet again and if you should need my help.
Complete the Sentence
Whoever is honest to the people, whoever is loyal to the constitution, and should be our true president.
Choose the Word/Phrase/Clause to Show Parallelism
When this is all over, I want to learn how I can learn a new skill, how I can practice that skill, and how I can teach that skill to others.
Basic Rules of Parallelism
Punctuation
Used for items in a series; three or more items are separated by commas.
Example: Every Tuesday Sheila has chemistry, anatomy, and sociology (three words).
Coordinating Conjunctions
Words, phrases, and clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) need to have parallel grammatical construction.
Nonparallel: We all need good nutrition and to exercise on a regular basis.
Parallel: We all need good nutrition and regular exercise.
Correlative Conjunctions
Words, phrases, and clauses joined by a correlative conjunction (not only… but also, both… and, either… or, neither… nor) need to have parallel grammatical construction.
Nonparallel: She likes both to read books and watching movies.
Parallel: She likes both to read books and [to] watch movies.
Comparisons
Applies to pairs connected by a word of comparison such as over, than, or as.
Nonparallel: He prefers movie nights at home over going to loud house parties.
Parallel: He prefers movie nights at home over loud house parties.
Comparative Expressions
Words, phrases, and clauses joined by a comparative expression (as much as, more than, less than).
Nonparallel: I enjoy going out to a movie as much as I like to rent a movie and stay home to watch it.
Parallel: I enjoy going out to a movie as much as I enjoy renting a movie and staying home to watch it.
Series (Nonparallel vs. Parallel)
Nonparallel: He is smart, honest, and has a great sense of responsibility.
Parallel: He is smart, honest, and responsible.
Series of Clauses
Nonparallel: The report card stated that the student often talked in class, that he bullied other students, and rarely finished his homework.
Parallel: The report card stated that the student often talked in class, bullied other students, and rarely finished his homework.
Items in a Bulleted List
Not Parallel:
Explore sample wiki sites
Creating an account on free hosting services
Selecting a wiki name
How to choose privacy options
Parallel:
Explore sample wiki sites
Create an account on free hosting services
Select a wiki name
Choose privacy options
List After a Colon
Not Parallel: Mainstream economists have attributed the recession to several key causes: the enactment of deregulation policies, the spike in interest rates, the decline in manufacturing orders, and the emergence of asset bubbles.
Parallel: Mainstream economists have attributed the recession to several key causes: deregulation policies, high interest rates, low manufacturing orders, and asset bubbles.
Outlines and Headings
Not Parallel:
A. Origin of homeopathy
B. Initial reception
C. Rising to popularity in the 19th century
D. Recent studies show lack of evidence
Parallel:
A. Origin of homeopathy
B. Initial reception
C. Rise to popularity in the 19th century
D. Lack of evidence in recent studies
Faulty Parallelism
Faulty parallelism happens when ideas are presented in unequal grammatical structures that are supposed to express related ideas.
Correcting Faulty Parallelism: Tips
Read the sentences, and look for words, phrases, or clauses that should look similar.
Try to establish a pattern. If there are none, create a pattern to come up with parallel structures.
Correcting Faulty Parallelism: Examples
We need to decide whether to renovate the kitchen, repaint the walls, or what color to choose for the curtains.
Exploring the Philippines involves visiting stunning islands, trying local cuisine, and to experience warm hospitality.
Visiting the Philippines allows you to explore its natural wonders, experience its vibrant culture, and that you can meet friendly locals.
Learning Activity
S.E.A.L Integration
As a young Thomasian researcher, why is it important to maintain parallel structure in writing?
How does using parallelism enhance the clarity and effectiveness of a research paper?