Parallelism

Parallelism in English grammar (or parallel structure) is used in order to

balance the sentences we write. If they are not balanced, they will lose
coherency.

Take a look at this example.

Incorrect: I like walking, running, and to cycle.

Correct: I like walking, running, and cycling.

The first sentence has two gerunds and then a to infinitive. This does not look
or sound right and so it can be made parallel by instead using three gerunds.

You should always try to balance the grammatical structures of words,

phrases, clauses or sentences in your writing. These structures will be
connected with coordinating conjunctions or correlative conjunctions.

In this lesson we'll look at how to do that.

Parallel Words

To achieve parallelism with words, you should always try to balance adjectives
with adjectives, nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, and adverbs with
adverbs.

Parallelism in relation to words, particularly when it is a least three words,

often relates to items in a list or series, which will be joined by coordinating
conjunctions (for, and, but, yet, so, or,
nor) and correlative conjunctions (both/and; neither/nor).

Phrases with Coordinating Conjunctions:

• At the zoo you can see mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects
(4 nouns)

• I'm not sure if cycling or running is the best exercise for me

(2 gerunds)

• You are not allowed to eat or drink at most libraries

(2 infinitives)

• Tonight I will study, eat, and then sleep

(3 infinitives)
 • My house is colourful and bright
(2 adjectives)
• He is tall, slim, and handsome
(3 adjectives)

• She danced energetically and gracefully

(2 adverbs)

Phrases with Correlating Conjunctions:

• Sarah feels neither happy nor sad
(2 adjectives)

• At school I liked both art and history

(2 nouns)

Parallel Phrases

Phrases also need to be balanced in your writing. These can be prepositional

phrases, infinitive phrases, gerund phrases, verb phrases etc. They may be
linked with coordinating or correlative conjunctions.

Phrases with Coordinating Conjunctions:

• Tonight I will eat my dinner and then watch TV
(2 verb phrases)

• The boy climbed out the window, down the drainpipe, and onto the
car roof
(3 prepositional phrases)

• She decided to quit her job and move abroad

(2 infinitive phrases)

Phrases with Correlating Conjunctions:

• First thing in the morning he likes either doing yoga or walking around
the park
(2 gerund phrases)

• He's not sure whether to buy a new car or to go away on holiday

(2 infinitive phrases)

• She is pleased not only by his attitude but also by his intelligence
 (2 prepositional phrases)

Parallel Clauses

Parallelism also applies to noun, adjective and adverb clauses, which will
again be joined with coordinating or correlative conjunctions.

Clauses with Coordinating Conjunctions:

• I don't mind if he comes at 7pm or if he comes later
(2 adverbial clauses)

• She is the kind of person who cares about others and who will help
you out when needed
(2 relative)

• Have you decided to find a new job because you dislike your old
job or because you want a new challenge?
(2 adverbial clauses)

Clauses with Correlating Conjunctions:

• She's interested in not where he bought the jacket but how he
could afford it
(2 noun clauses)

• They sacked him either because he was always late or because he

was often rude to customers
(2 adverbial clauses)

• Tom liked neither what John said nor the way that he said it
(2 noun clauses)

Parallelism and Repetition

It is important to note that structures will still be parallel if some words are
missing from the latter parts, as long as they are exactly the same as in the
first parts. The parallelism is in effect starting in a different place and getting
smaller.

Take a look at these parallel structure examples. The first one is the full
parallel structure. In the others that follow, the second part has been reduced.
Note that it is only identical words that can be taken out.
Reducing the Parallel Structure

• He's not sure whether to buy a new car or to go away on holiday

• Ans. He's not sure whether to buy a new car or go away on holiday

• She is pleased not only by his attitude but also by his intelligence
• Ans. She is pleased not only by his attitude but also his intelligence
• I don't mind if he comes at 7pm or if he comes later.
• Ans. I don't mind if he comes at 7pm or he comes later.
• Ans. I don't mind if he comes at 7pm or comes later.
• Ans. I don't mind if he comes at 7pm or later.

• Have you decided to find a new job because you dislike your old
job or because you want a new challenge?
• Ans. Have you decided to find a new job because you dislike your old
job or you want a new challenge?
• Ans. Have you decided to find a new job because you dislike your old
job or want a new challenge?

Reducing Wordiness
• As an artist she enjoys painting beautiful scenery, painting interesting
people, and painting ancient buildings (too wordy)

• As an artist she enjoys painting beautiful scenery, interesting people,

and ancient buildings (better)

Q.Parallel Structure Quiz - Decide whether the sentence

has parallel structure or not.

1.She decided to leave her job and travelling the world.

• Parallel

• Not Parallel
2.He started the engine, released the hand break, and checked the mirror.
• Parallel

• Not Parallel
3.Some people think that being successful is the same thing as to have money.
 • Parallel

• Not Parallel
4.Did you decide not to come because you are tired or are you feeling sick?
• Parallel

• Not Parallel
5.She was disappointed by not only his clothes but also his mannerisms.
• Parallel

• Not Parallel
6.She wants neither the red one nor the yellow one.

• Parallel
• Not Parallel
7.When I wake up I like either walking the dog or to go for a jog.

• Parallel
• Not Parallel
8.I would describe her as intelligent, caring, and thoughtful.

• Parallel
• Not Parallel
9.He suggested that we go for a meal then we should see a film.

• Parallel
• Not Parallel
10.Spain is a place where you can eat cheap food and soak up the sun.

• Parallel
• Not Parallel

Sentences with Correct & Incorrect Parallelism

• Parallelism with infinitives:
Incorrect: She likes to hike, swim, and walking.
Correct: She likes to hike, swim, and walk.

• Parallelism with adjectives:

Incorrect: The car is fast, reliable, and it handles well.

Correct: The car is fast, reliable, and well-handling.
• Parallelism with nouns:
Incorrect: He is an engineer, programmer, and designs
websites.
Correct: He is an engineer, programmer, and website
designer.

• Parallelism with verbs:

Incorrect: She sings, dances, and enjoys painting.
Correct: She sings, dances, and paints.
• Parallelism with gerunds:

Incorrect: I love swimming, hiking, and to read books.

Correct: I love swimming, hiking, and reading books.

• Parallelism with adverbs:

Incorrect: He ran quickly, jumped high, and a graceful land.

Correct: He ran quickly, jumped high, and landed gracefully.

• Parallelism with parallel clauses:

Incorrect: He is talented at playing the guitar and that he

sings.
Correct: He is talented at playing the guitar and singing.

• Parallelism with correlative conjunctions:

Incorrect: Either you can work hard or study smartly to

succeed.
Correct: You can either work hard or study smartly to succeed.

• Parallelism with infinitive phrases:

Incorrect: She plans to cook, travel, and visiting her friends.

Correct: She plans to cook, travel, and visit her friends.
• Parallelism with prepositional phrases:

Incorrect: He went to the store, to the park, and walking by

the beach.
Correct: He went to the store, to the park, and to the beach.

• Parallelism with comparisons:

Incorrect: The city is as vibrant as it is having a rich history.

Correct: The city is as vibrant as it is rich in history.

• Parallelism with gerund phrases:

 Incorrect: She enjoys reading books, jogging in the park, and
she goes to the movies.
Correct: She enjoys reading books, jogging in the park, and
watching movies.

• Parallelism with phrasal verbs:

Incorrect: I need to wake up early, to get dressed, and make

breakfast.
Correct: I need to wake up early, get dressed, and make
breakfast.

• Parallelism with determiners (e.g. articles):

Incorrect: They can choose either an apple, orange, or a

banana.
Correct: They can choose either an apple, an orange, or a
banana.

• Parallelism with intensifiers:

Incorrect: The project was not only challenging but it was also
requiring creativity.
Correct: The project was not only challenging but also
required creativity.
• Parallelism with participial phrases:

Incorrect: The writer captures emotions vividly, describing

scenes with precision, and his characters are believable.
Correct: The writer captures emotions vividly, describes
scenes with precision, and creates believable characters.

• Parallelism with conjunctions in sentences:

Incorrect: Whether it's raining or if it's snowing, I'll be staying

indoors.
Correct: Whether it's raining or snowing, I'll be staying
indoors.
Parallelism Exercises
Parallelism is when closely related parts of a sentence fit together using similar
grammatical form. It makes writing clearer and easier for the reader to understand.
A. One item in each of the groups is not parallel to the others. Cross it out, and then
substitute it
with an item that is parallel with the rest of the group.
B. The following may have one or more items that are not parallel with the others. Make
all of the items in the group parallel. (There is more than one way to do this.)
C. Correct the faulty parallelism in the following sentences to make them clear, concise,
and easy to read.
1. Wen gets her daily exercise by walking her dog, going for a bike ride, and cleaning.
______________________________________________________________________
_______________
2. Would you prefer the graceful owl, rats, or a sneaky cat as your pet?
______________________________________________________________________
_______________
3. The difference between rural and country living is the height of the buildings and the
population.
______________________________________________________________________
_______________
4. Stress makes it difficult to exercise regularly, have relationships that are stable, and
be eating food with benefits to one’s health.
______________________________________________________________________
_______________
5. The company can help your writing skills, to gain independence, and confidently
completing your assignments.
______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Q. Choose the option which doed not match the rules of parallelism
1. Swimming
Biking
Paddle
Running
2. Blue
Banana
Red
Purple
3. Watched
Ate
Slept
Drive
5. Reading carefully
Biking slowly
Jumping quickly
To stand
1. A School of fish
Lions proudly lounging
Crocodiles swimming together
A Murder of crows
2. Elegance
Tall
Gracefully
Easy-going personality
3. To barbeque
Cooked on a stove
Grilling evenly
Food that’s baked in an oven
4. Beautiful pictures
Loudly singing
Playing volleyball with friends
To cook pasta for dinner
4. Toronto
Yukon
Manitoba
Nova Scotia
Parallelism Exercises
ANSWERS:
A. One item in each of the groups is not parallel to the others. Cross it out, and then
substitute it with an item that is parallel with the rest of the group
B. The following may have one or more items that are not parallel with the others. Make
all of the items in the group parallel. (There is more than one way to do this.)
ANSWERS WILL VARY! If you have questions, please visit the TLC at your
campus.
C. Correct the faulty parallelism in the following sentences to make them clear,
concise, and easy to read. ANSWERS MAY VARY
1. Wen gets her daily exercise by walking her dog, going for a bike ride, and cleaning.
____Wen_gets_ her daily exercise by walking her dog, going for a bike ride, and
cleaning her house.
2. Would you prefer the graceful owl, rats, or a sneaky cat as your pet?
Ans. Would you prefer an owl, rat or cat as your pet?
OR Would you prefer the graceful owl, pesky rat or sneaky cat as your pet?
3. The difference between rural and country living is the height of the buildings and the
population.
Ans. The differences between rural and country living are the height of the buildings and
the size of the population.
4. Stress makes it difficult to exercise regularly, have relationships that are stable, and
be eating food with benefits to one’s health.
Ans. Stress makes it difficult to maintain regular exercise, stable relationships, and
healthy diet.
5. The company can help your writing skills, to gain independence, and confidently
completing your assignments.
Ans. The company can help you improve your writing skills, gain independence, and
complete your assignments.