Parallel Form in Writing

Parallel Construction Basics

  • Definition: Expressions of similar content and function should have similar outward forms.

  • Purpose: Enables readers to recognize likeness of content and function more readily.

  • Common Violations: Often due to a mistaken belief that writers should constantly vary expression form, unless repeating for emphasis.

Key Rules for Parallel Form

  • Series Elements: An article or preposition applying to all members of a series must either be used only before the first term OR repeated before each term.

    • Faulty: "The French, the Italians, Spanish, and Portuguese"

    • Correct: "The French, the Italians, the Spanish, and the Portuguese"

  • Correlative Expressions: (e.g., both…and, not…but, not only…but also, either…or, first…second…third) must be followed by the same grammatical construction.

    • Faulty: "It was both a long ceremony and very tedious."

    • Correct: "The ceremony was both long and tedious."

    • Faulty: "A time not for words, but action"

    • Correct: "A time not for words, but for action"

    • Faulty: "Either you must grant his request or incur his ill will."

    • Correct: "You must either grant his request or incur his ill will."

  • Comparisons: Items being compared should be couched in parallel structures.

    • Faulty: "My income is smaller than my wife."

    • Correct: "My income is smaller than my wife's."

Examples of Parallel Form

  • Biblical: Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, Lord's Prayer.

  • Historical: Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.