{"id":8927,"date":"2021-05-15T11:39:21","date_gmt":"2021-05-15T15:39:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/?page_id=8927"},"modified":"2025-05-24T13:25:29","modified_gmt":"2025-05-24T17:25:29","slug":"parallelism","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"#","title":{"rendered":"Parallelism
PROFESSIONAL WRITING STYLE <\/div>"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Contents & Navigation<\/div>\n
what is parallelism<\/a><\/div>\n
explanation<\/a><\/div>\n
sentence examples<\/a><\/div>\n
list examples<\/a><\/div>\n
practice<\/a><\/div>\n
more<\/a><\/div>\n
all pro style & editing\u00a0\u00a0 \u3009<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/span>\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
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image from “\u2018The Elements of Style\u2019 Turns 50”<\/a> at The New York Times<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

What is Parallelism?<\/h3>\n

Strunk & White’s Elements of Style<\/em> might be the oldest most recognizable grammar handbook out there. It’s been around since 1918 and it’s now in the public domain (Strunk’s Elements of Style<\/em> at Bartleby<\/a>) .<\/p>\n

Rule #15 under the “Elementary Rules of Composition” is:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Express co-ordinate ideas in similar form.”<\/h4>\n
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This principle, that of parallel construction, requires that expressions of similar content and function should be outwardly similar. The likeness of form enables the reader to recognize more readily the likeness of content and function. Familiar instances from the Bible are the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer.<\/p>\n

The unskilful writer often violates this principle, from a mistaken belief that he should constantly vary the form of his expressions. It is true that in repeating a statement in order to emphasize it he may have need to vary its form. For illustration, see the paragraph from Stevenson quoted under Rule 10. But apart from this, he should follow the principle of parallel construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Formerly, science was taught by the textbook method, while now the laboratory method is employed.<\/td>\nFormerly, science was taught by the textbook method; now it is taught by the laboratory method.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The left-hand version gives the impression that the writer is undecided or timid; he seems unable or afraid to choose one form of expression and hold to it. The right-hand version shows that the writer has at least made his choice and abided by it.<\/p>\n

By this principle, an article or a preposition applying to all the members of a series must either be used only before the first term or else be repeated before each term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The French, the Italians, Spanish, and Portuguese…<\/td>\nThe French, the Italians, the Spanish, and the Portuguese…<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In spring, summer, or in winter…<\/td>\nIn spring, summer, or winter…<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In spring, in summer, or in winter…<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Correlative expressions (both, and; not, but; not only, but also; either, or; first, second, third; and the like) should be followed by the same grammatical construction. Many violations of this rule can be corrected by rearranging the sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
It was both a long ceremony and very tedious.<\/td>\nThe ceremony was both long and tedious.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A time not for words, but action<\/td>\nA time not for words, but for action<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Either you must grant his request or incur his ill will.<\/td>\nYou must either grant his request or incur his ill will.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
My objections are, first, the injustice of the measure; second, that it is unconstitutional.<\/td>\nMy objections are, first, that the measure is unjust; second, that it is unconstitutional.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

See also the third example under Rule 12<\/a> and the last under Rule 13<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It may be asked, what if a writer needs to express a very large number of similar ideas, say twenty? Must he write twenty consecutive sentences of the same pattern? On closer examination he will probably find that the difficulty is imaginary, that his twenty ideas can be classified in groups, and that he need apply the principle only within each group. Otherwise he had best avoid the difficulty by putting his statements in the form of a table.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/span>\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
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What Does That Mean? (An Explanation)<\/h4>\n

What does it mean? Parallelism means using the same grammatical form for words, phrases, clauses in a series, or items in a list.<\/p>\n

It means treat items the same<\/em>. Give words, phrases, and clauses in a series the same grammatical structure. Treat items the same way, in the same order, in the same grammatical form.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n

Parallel Construction Examples<\/h3>\n
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Examples of Parallel Constructions in Sentences<\/h4>\n

Whenever a sentence includes a series of similar items, make sure that all the items are in the same form. For example, use the same tense for all verbs that describe listed items. Check for words or phrases in your writing that are joined by coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) and be sure they’re expressed in parallel construction.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Not Parallel<\/span><\/th>\nParallel<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
This semester I\u2019m studying art, music, and taking a math course.<\/td>\nThis semester I\u2019m studying art, music, and math.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
He is talented, intelligent and has charm.<\/td>\nHe is talented, intelligent, and charming.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The magazine contains news, pictures, ads, tells you where to shop, and feature columns.<\/td>\nThe magazine contains news, pictures, ads, shopping recommendations, and feature columns.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
This is the life–to live, working and cooking outdoors.<\/td>\nThis is the life–to live, work, and cook outdoors.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.<\/td>\nMary likes hiking, swimming, and cycling.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a clear manner.<\/td>\nThe production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and clearly.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
At about noon the sky darkened, a breeze sprang up, and a low rumble announces the approaching storm.<\/td>\nAt about noon the sky darkened, a breeze sprang up, and a low rumble announced the approaching storm.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You can pay me now, or it\u2019s okay if you pay me later.<\/td>\nYou can pay me now or pay me later.<\/td>\nYou can pay me now, or you can pay me later.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span>\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
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Examples of Parallel Construction in Lists<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Not Parallel<\/span><\/th>\nParallel<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Going on vacation?<\/p>\n
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  • inform a neighbor of your departure…<\/li>\n
  • your neighbor should pick up your newspapers…<\/li>\n
  • small valuables should be stored…<\/li>\n
  • use clock timers that activate lights…<\/li>\n
  • before leaving, ensure all entries are secured…<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Going on vacation?<\/p>\n
    \n
  • inform<\/span> a neighbor of your departure<\/li>\n
  • have<\/span> your neighbor pick up newspapers<\/li>\n
  • store<\/span> small valuables<\/li>\n
  • use<\/span> clock timers that activate lights<\/li>\n
  • secure<\/span> all entries before leaving<\/li>\n
  • (second person imperative<\/span>…)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In the workshop, I learned some good study tips:<\/p>\n
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  • How to take good notes<\/li>\n
  • Reading actively<\/li>\n
  • That it\u2019s important to get enough sleep<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
In the workshop, I learned some good study tips:<\/p>\n
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  • effective<\/span> notetaking methods<\/span><\/li>\n
  • active<\/span> reading skills<\/span><\/li>\n
  • beneficial<\/span> sleep habits<\/span><\/li>\n
  • (adjective<\/span> noun phrase<\/span>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
In the workshop, I learned some good study tips:<\/p>\n
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  • take<\/span> notes<\/li>\n
  • read<\/span> actively<\/li>\n
  • get<\/span> enough sleep<\/li>\n
  • (verb<\/span>…)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Penalties for common violations include:<\/p>\n
    \n
  • Jaywalking – community service<\/li>\n
  • drivers education course: for repeated traffic violations<\/li>\n
  • If you are caught with open containers, you will be sent home<\/li>\n
  • Speeding will result in a ticket<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Penalties for common violations include:<\/p>\n
    \n
  • community service<\/span> for jaywalking <\/span><\/li>\n
  • drivers’ education<\/span> for traffic violations <\/span><\/li>\n
  • expulsion<\/span> for having opened containers <\/span><\/li>\n
  • a ticket<\/span> for speeding <\/span><\/li>\n
  • (penalty<\/span> for violation<\/span>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  • Tom\u2019s purple book bag is ten inches wide, holds three books, and has a water bottle container.<\/li>\n
  • Jane\u2019s red tote bag is a foot wide, holds four books, and has a pocket for a cell phone.<\/li>\n
  • The small nylon camera bag with the extra strap belongs to Eric.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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