Transcript Parallelism

Parallel Sentence
Structure
What is “parallelism”?
 Parallelism means something very similar to what it
means in mathematics. Think of parallel lines:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
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 They're straight, they're equally spaced, they're very
clearly "parallel".
 To translate this mathematical concept to grammar, first
think of a sentence. A sentence can be split up in many
different ways: by word, by phrase, by part of speech, by
items in a list. What parallelism says is that these similar
parts of a sentence must be clearly similar, just like
parallel lines are. For example, items in a list must all use
the same verb form, and the same way of introducing
themselves as being part of the list.
What is parallelism? (cont.)
 Think of it like this: pretend that the parts of a sentence are
lined up, one on top of the next, along their own parallel lines.
Consider the sentence "Joe was trying to decide between
eating, running, and to walk to the store". There are three items
in the list of activities that Joe is considering, so separate these
and imagine them on their own parallel lines:
eating
running________________________________________
to walk________________________________________
 To be parallel, all verbs must look identical. In this case, one
sticks out like a sore thumb: "to walk". Here's the correct
version:
eating_________________________________________
running________________________________________
walking________________________________________
What is parallelism? (cont.)
 "Parallelism" means that all items or
ideas in a sentence need to be in the
same format.
 Unlike some of the other grammatical
topics we’ve covered in this class,
parallelism is a pretty intuitive concept to
master; there are no exceptions to
memorize, no strange rules to
remember. Once you understand the
concept, you're pretty much good to go.
So when do we need to pay
attention to whether or not
something is parallel?
Use parallel structure when
expressing a list:
 For example:
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activities: running, biking, and hiking
places: the store, the museum, and the restaurant
ideas: how to read, how to write, and how to learn
descriptions: quickly, quietly, and happily
 Incorrect: The suspect had a scar on the right
side of his face, a birthmark on his forehead,
and was sporting a new beard.
 Correct: The suspect had a scar on the right
side of his face, a birthmark on his forehead,
and a new beard.
How could you fix these lists to
make them parallel?
 Incorrect: Mary likes to hike, swimming,
and to bike.
 Correct: Mary likes to hike, to swim,
and to bike.
 Incorrect: I would love to learn to fly a
plane, to ride a horse, and knitting.
 Correct: I would love to learn to fly a
plane, to ride a horse, and to knit.
Carry through the same grammatical
structure and order from one clause
or phrase to the next:
“And” is a coordinating conjunction that joins things of equal importance.
 Noun and noun
 Verb and verb
 Phrase and phrase
 Clause and clause
 There is a lack of parallel structure when “and” joins different things.
 Noun and verb
 Verb and phrase
 Etc.
 This can also apply to other coordinating conjunctions (like “or” in the
example below)
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Incorrect: In the afternoon, we will either visit a museum or a zoo.
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This one isn’t right because “or” joins a verb and a noun – they’re not
the same grammatical structure, so they’re not parallel
Correct: In the afternoon, we will either visit a museum or go to the
zoo.
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Now it is correct because “or” joins a verb with another verb.
How could you fix these
sentences to make them parallel?
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Pat wanted a view of the west and to ride horseback.
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Underline what is joined by “and.”
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Does it join things of equal importance?

No. It joins a noun and an infinitive.
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Pat wanted to view the west and to ride horseback.
Everyone needs sympathy and to be noticed.
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Underline what is joined by “and.”
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Does it join things of equal importance?
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No. It joins a noun and an infinitive.
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Everyone needs sympathy and attention.
The principal asked us to stand and that we remain silent for one
minute.
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Underline what is joined by “and.”
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Does it join things of equal importance?
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No. It joins an infinitive and a clause.
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The principal asked that we stand and that we remain silent for
one minute.
Use parallel verb tenses when
one subject has multiple verbs:
 Incorrect: The judge threw the gavel, yelled at
the lawyer, and was overruling the objection
for the twelfth time that day.

Threw and yelled are in past tense, was overruling
is in the past progressive tense
 Correct: The judge threw the gavel, yelled at
the lawyer, and overruled the objection for the
twelfth time that day.
 Incorrect: I like cross examining witnesses in
trials and to argue appeals as well.
 Correct: I like cross examining witnesses in
trials and arguing appeals as well.
Use parallel structure when a
sentence has multiple subjects:
 Incorrect: The lawyer produced the
gun, the judge accepted it into
evidence, and it was removed from the
courtroom by the bailiff.
 Correct: The lawyer produced the gun,
the judge accepted it into evidence,
and the bailiff removed it from the
courtroom.