parallel structure. Not Parallel: I have to eat breakfast quickly and be efficient so I can get to class on time. 2 . Sentences are made up of words and phrases thathelp convey a given thought. Parallel structure is a stylistic device, and a grammatical construction having two or more clauses, phrases or words, with similar grammatical form and length. To win featured snippets for specific search terms, bulleted or numbered lists are a popular content creation tactic. It also shows that ideas are of equal importance. If you have several items in a list, put them in a column to see if they are parallel. Not Parallel: 5. He enjoys finding new recipes, cooking for friends, and to eat the meals too. If the first item stated in the list is a noun, the following items should also consist of nouns; if the first action is a simple past tense verb, then the succeeding actions must be in the simple past tense form of the verb as well. When mismatched elements exist, writers can create parallel structure by revising the sentence and adjusting the unmatched elements. How did the dowry contribute to female children being less desirable than male children. Copyright 2022 by The On-Campus Writing Lab& The OWL at Purdueand Purdue University. Keeping all elements the same (i.e. That being said, here are some everyday examples of a parallel structure: As much as we use parallel structures during everyday conversations, many literary writers use parallel structures to deliver their ideas in a way that readers could fully grasp as well. You may also see flow chart examples. Not Parallel: Although she promised to, my best friend did not take me dancing or to a show. Parallel structure brings more power and precision to your content. 2. Parallel structure is repetition of a certain form, which provides balance and clarity in your writing. You create a lot of content, right? The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game. parallel structure to emphasize ideas humorous tone author communicates ideas with irony and sarcasm. use of similar grammatical construction to express related ideas. Keep in mind that any parallel structure error committed can make you sound strange to audiences. Next morning, in the Lafayette Hotel in Portland, I went down to breakfast and found May Craig looking solemn at one of the tables and Mr. Murray, the auctioneer, looking cheerful at another., Goodbye to Forty-Eighth Street by E.B. By continuing to use this website, you consent to the usage of cookies. Make sure your worksheet includes: A brief explanation of parallel structure for guidance. For example, do you hear an ing word beginning each item? Notice that the first three sentences, which start in a similar way, while the next phrases follow another, similarstructure. Parallel: Whenever you make a list of items or actions in a sentence, using equal grammatical units is crucial. ', 'Louise will be swimming, then bike, and run this weekend in her triathlon. When nouns are used in a sentence to share two or more ideas, it is important to pay attention to the continuity of the same part of speech and the noun number. Correct Examples The words that indicate parallel construction are marked in bold. If not, make them parallel. She has a Master's of Education in Curriculum and Development with a minor in Reading Intervention from Concordia University. At school, I am learning how to bake, type and crochet. To create parallel structure, the verb was changed to a noun. So the next time you find yourselfwriting any form of composition, make sure to apply a parallel structure to add value to your words and to keep it structurally and grammatically correct. What is parallel structure? ', 'Daniel spent his Saturday afternoon cooking chili, then he watched football, and took a nap. Parallel: Sharon likes reading, writing, and eating. 2. As content marketers, we are forever looking for ways to reinforce our messaging so that the message actually sticks. There are two reasons it is important to maintain parallelism in a series: Sentences that maintain parallelism are much easier to read and process than those that do not. When you combine two or more phrases or clauses, you will use a coordinating conjunction. Privacy Policy. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you You might have applied a parallel structure numerous times before, but have never given it much thought. Oops! I take a multi-faceted approach to helping others recognize their own true power and flourish in their lives. 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You can test your writing abilities by taking various exams, including the SAT, that will require you to locate and revise parallel structure errors as a way of improving your skills. 3. Privacy policy. As a writer, having the ability to synchronize, repeat, and emphasize your words and thoughts with the use of a parallel structure is something that must be valued and applied correctly. Parallel structure allows the writer to give equal importance to two or more ideas within a sentence. This is done when you have to connect two clauses or phrases with a correlative conjunction (not onlybut also, eitheror, neithernor, ifthen, etc.). Parallel construction is all about mastering patterns, so it helps to understand the different types of parallel structure and a few things to avoid. Let me count the ways. Marquette, MI 49855-5301 Consider the effect of parallel structure on a piece of writing, Create parallel structure within sentences and lists, Practice using parallel structure and correcting related grammatical errors. Use parallel structure with elements that are joined by a correlative conjunction. Also know as parallelism, using parallel structure creates a common grammatical pattern throughout a sentence. world -- whatever you want that world to look like. To create parallel structure in writing, writers must make each idea in the sentence follow the same grammatical pattern and form. With parallel structure, increased comprehension comes from an increase in readability. Use parallel structure to connect two or more phrases or clauses joined with coordinating conjunctions for, nor, and, but, yet, or, or so. They are going on the boat, water skiing, and swimming. The teacher told the students that they need to get up early in the morning, that they need to sleep properly, and that they need to eat properly. If you have several items in a list, put them in a column and evaluate the first words to see if they're parallel. The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, not eat too much, and do some warm-up exercises before the game. I feel like its a lifeline. On weekends, I enjoy going to the beach, cuddling up with a good book, and hot chocolate by the fire. Parallel structure (also called parallelism or parallel construction) is when you use the same way of describing several things in a list. Everyone in class capped their pens, closedtheir textbooks, and zipped their school bags as they tried to alert the professor that the sound of the bell signaled the end of the lecture. Example 2: Not Parallel: To be Grace's friend means being constantly alert. To correct this, the final idea that was shared was changed to an adjective. For example, if one is a verb, they should all be verbs of the same tense, or if one is a noun, they all should be nouns. Do you want to throw something across the room? Parallel structure is a writing technique that uses word patterns to demonstrate equal importance of two or more similar items or ideas. The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as "and" or "or. Parallel verbs means that the same verb tense is used when verbs are used in a sentence to share two or more equally important ideas. Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. I dislike cleaning and. All rights reserved. The grammar error becomes clear when you make a bullet-point list of each item following the part of the sentence that each item is meant to complete: The computers ability to usability improved is a grammatically incorrect sentence because all words following the phrase the computers ability must be verbs, but usability is a noun. Angela has taught for Language Arts for 12 years and holds a master's degree in Literacy. Using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance is the definition of parallel structure. Parallel structure should be used with infinitives. Parallel Sentence: Definition, Structure & Examples, How to Identify Errors in Comparison, Correlation & Parallelism, Study.com ACT® English Test Prep Practice: Colons, Semicolons, and Periods. Sets found in the same folder . Parallel structure should be used when writing clauses. Parallel structure. of Lake Superior. Skim your paper for the words "and" and "or." All of the information included in this lesson on parallel structure is designed to help you to: The best way to learn a new concept is through practice. Students also viewed. The use of different verb tenses, a difference in noun numbers, mismatched parts of speech, and an imbalance of clauses to words all created confusion in these sentences. An error occurred trying to load this video. Words and phrasesWords and phrases can be joined with either the ing form (called a gerund) or the infinitive form. You might be interested in. Parallel: Her shopping list for the party included: balloons, desserts, streamers, and chips. 20 terms. Many tests, including the SAT, will require you to identify parallel structure errors as a means of testing your writing abilities. To be considered parallel, elements in writing must have equal grammatical value. I had been skinny and quiet and religious, and now I was good-looking and muscular. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice. Not Parallel: In grammar, it refers to ensuring agreement in elements like number, verb tense, and adjective types. The use of 'ing' in the word 'swimming' does not match the other verb forms in the sentence. Does it mean to use the same pattern of word to coney multiple ideas? Repeat words instead of repeating patterns. The parallel structures in this short poem give it a little waltz and jingle feel. Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. Remember that parallel structure will exist if you are including a list of actions or items. For the following key term or person, write a sentence explaining its significance to U.S. foreign policy between 1890 and 1920: protectorate. If the first item stated in the list is a noun, the following items should also consist of nouns; if the first action is a simple past tense verb, then the succeeding actions must be in the simple past tense form of the verb as well. In doing so, it also shows that the ideas written in a sentence or paragraph are all of equal importance. You may also seecompound sentences examples. As great as it is to see parallelism reflected in literature, speeches, and poetry, youre here because you create content and you want to create better content. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Choosing Between Infinitive and Gerund: To do or doing? A cluster of amplifiers spread the theme of love over everything and everybody; the mild breeze spread the dust over everything and everybody. Thats because parallel structures often come to us naturally when we communicate with others. The words that should be parallel but aren't are shown in italics here. Not Parallel: Taylor criticizes public schools as they are compulsory, funded by the government, and destroy students humanity. Martin Luther King Jr. is credited with this infamous quote, but what makes it appealing to the reader? Parallel: Taylor criticizes public schools as they are compulsory, government-funded, and normalizing. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE. A mismatch in parts of speech can also cause a lack of parallel structure. You can also use correlative conjunctions to combine two phrases or clauses. The goal is always to minimize friction and parallel construction is a useful technique. It can also be used as an effective technique by highlighting important information or as a way to emphasize powerful points in your writing. Or, maybe were following these cues unknowingly and we can do a better job being consistent and purposeful as we use these techniques. How does parallel structure and parallel elements work with coordinating conjunctions? parallel structure repetition of a pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to signify that two or more events or ideas have the same level of importance; helps the writer organize and clarify their thoughts. They are going on the boat, going water skiing, and going swimming. In parallel structure, sentences have a series of phrases or clauses, which start and end in almost a similar fashion, by keeping the rhythm of the lines. To further expand your knowledge about parallel structure in writing, review these examples of parallelism in literature and rhetoric. Not Parallel:The neighbors cat ran across the garden, jumpedover the fence, and was waddling toward the front door.Parallel:The neighbors cat ran across the garden, jumped over the fence, and waddled toward the front door. The best way to complete an essay is to research a topic thoroughly, writing clearly, edit properly, and proof-reading when finished. 1. Grammatical structures within a sentence include the parts of speech, clauses, and phrases. Should the students use pens or a pencil? Parallel: Not Parallel:I like running better than to bike.Parallel:I like running better than biking. - Types, Examples & Definitions, What is Catharsis? What is parallel structure (or parallelism)? Take note from these parallel structure examples from content marketers who are using this technique to make their content more powerful and precise. Parallel structure is also used with correlative conjunctions, such as either or, neither nor, not only but also. Parallel: Ben wants not only fame but also money. Not Parallel: David liked to dive better than swimming. When someone is searching for an answer to a search query and your content offers the clearest explanation in a featured snippet, they will click and engage. Be sure to add a period where required or the sentence will be marked as incorrect. Parallel structure is also called parallelism, parallel form, and parallel construction. The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that he would have time to show his slide presentation, and that questions would be asked by prospective buyers. Check on each side of these words to see if the joined items are parallel. Parallel: - parallel. Parallel: I like to paint, jog, cook, and watch movies. 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A fearful man, all in coarse grey, with a great iron on his leg. Here is the same list with a broken parallel structure, with changing verbs at the beginning of the sentence. succeed. Explore our website and see all that NMU has to offer. The definition of parallel structure is the repetition of the same grammatical structures within a sentence. However, it has been shown through research that there are more than 53 senses connected to biological human expression. The world's best online resource for learning English. Privacy Statement | Accessibility. Megan_Mayte. Parallel: ** What were the most noteworthy advances in Chinese culture during the Sui, Tang, and Sung dynasties? Parallel structure is repetition of a certain form, which provides balance and clarity in your writing. The managerwanted to make sure that Jane made her marketing presentation creatively, effectively, and persuasively. I searched in my bag, on the table, and. Often, matching verb tenses, nouns, and conjunctions will lead you to a more parallel construction. The bold words in these examples are all past tense, which means they are examples of parallel construction. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Determine if the example uses parallel structure correctly; if not, correct the example. People expect the ease of patterns when they read content. She was intelligent, engaging, and a good speaker. Changing to another pattern or changing the form of the verb with break the parallelism.Not Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.ORParallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, not eat too much, and do some warm-up exercises before the game. Its a grammatical construction carrying two or more clauses, phrases or words, with a similar grammatical form and length. Talk with one of our content experts about our hand-vetted expert content writers & designers who can help you scale your content marketing efforts quickly. But when proofreading for parallelism, you need to be extra careful in regards to how these sentences are constructed. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. A parallel structure also lends consistency in professional writing, allowing writers to create a rhythm and balance with their words that will lead readers to the exact idea being conveyed. You can see how perfectly the author has repeated and emphasized the first two lines in the above paragraph. Not Parallel: It means using the same pattern of words to convey that two or more ideas share the same level of importance. these profound messaging moments in history, 10 Types of Content Writers and When to Use Them. The best way to complete an essay is to research a topic thoroughly, write clearly, edit properly, and proof-read when finished. Active & Passive Voice Differences & Examples | When to use Active & Passive Voice, How to Write Logical Sentences and Avoid Faulty Comparisons, Punctuations: Using Colons, Semicolons & Periods, Pronouns & Antecedents | Overview, Rules & Examples. Your verb tenses should always match. Parallel: Although she promised to, my best friend did not take me to a dance or a show. When content works, it just works well, theres a lot more to it than meets the eye. Consistency is the key, and your readers will be thankful for the ease in which they will be able to absorb and understand your writing. It makes language appear refined, especially in writing and advertising. Thank you! You may also seefused sentence examples and corrections. Jo went to the gym and used the exercise bike, free weights, and the sauna. ", (Note: You can use "to" before all the verbs in a sentence or only before the first one.). Parallel structure is a writing technique that uses word patterns to demonstrate equal importance of two or more similar items or ideas. and Understanding Parallel Structure. The second noun was changed to a plural noun to create parallel structure. This website collects and publishes the ideas of individuals who have contributed those ideas in their capacities as faculty-mentored student scholars. I had been skinny and quiet and religious, and now I was good-looking and muscular. Test 2 ELA 2. 1. Not Parallel: Esther said she would rather pay for her education than financial aid. One of these people had very little vision until he was 15-years-old at which time he had . This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. Not Parallel:My little brothernot only likes to play catch, but also chase frogs.Parallel:My little brothernot only likes to play catch, but he also likes to chase frogs. Parallel structure in English refers to the use of similar grammar constructions within a sentence or clause. By creating word patterns that are easily understood, you decrease the friction between your message and your audience. You may also seecomplex sentences definition and examples. It is similar to parallelism. Use parallel structures to connect to phrases or clauses with a correlative conjunction such as eitheror, not onlybut also, ifthen, neither thisnor. Everyone in glass gathered their pens, textbooks, and school bags, as they tried to alert theprofessor that the sound of the bell signaled the end of the lecture. My professor told me that I need to write a paper by Friday, that I need to study for my quiz on Tuesday, and that I need to do my homework. The terms that form parallel structure in these sentences are bold. A man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints, and stung by nettles, and torn by briars and glared and growled; and whose teeth chattered in his head as he seized me by the chin.. but we refer to it as "home". Parallel structure in writing is achieved when each element of the sentence has equal grammatical value. Use parallel structure to connect two phrases or clauses with a word of comparison like than or as. Not Parallel: Her shopping list for the party included: balloons, dessert, streamers, and chips. Learn more about our Privacy Statement and Cookie Policy. Content creators are masters of all things messaging, but sometimes we forget to follow important grammatical cues. So in this article, we take on the basics of parallel structures along with a few examples onhow they are used in literature and everyday speech. But, incorporating parallelism also supports consistency, reinforcement, scannability, comprehension, and SEO. Parallel constructor errors are italicized. Surfing, skateboarding and require good balance. Note for Purdue Students: Schedule a consultation at the on-campus writing lab to get more in-depth writing help from one of our tutors. In the non-parallel structure, there are two gerunds acting as nouns and one infinitive (to read), which makes the sentence awkward and harder to process. Often, matching verb tenses, nouns, and conjunctions will lead you to a more parallel construction. Parallel: Being Graces friend means being constantly alert. Parallel structure exists when the elements within a sentence match and have equal grammatical value. Parallel structure should be used when you connect clauses with a coordinating conjunction such as: for, and, nor, or, but, so, or yet in a sentence. Otherwise, your sentences may come out completely awkward for readers to grasp. Remember that conjunctions are words like 'and,' 'or,' 'but,' 'yet' and 'so' that connect two parts of a sentence. Many people like riding, hiking, biking, and swimming. Joseph bought a pair of shoes. Parallel: I enjoy neither playing video games nor exercising. The materials collected here do not express the views of, or positions held by, Purdue University. Items in a series must be all nouns, all verbs, or all participles, and so on. The goal is to not just write sentences and bulleted lists but to bring more connectivity and ease. Each of the examples in the table was revised to show parallel structure by creating a balance between the items that are being compared. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Not Parallel:The group exhibited collective survival, mutual aid, and being responsible for one another throughout the test.Parallel:The group exhibited collective survival, mutual aid, and responsibility for one another throughout the test. Everyone in class capped their pens, were closing their textbooks, and zipped their school bags as they tried to alert the professor that the sound of the bell signaled the end of the lecture. Parallel structure turns messaging into clear patterns. Each parallel sentence follows a basic pattern, starting with pronouns and ending with nouns and adverbs, except the first line, which ends with an adjective. Also remember that commas are placed after each noun with the exception of the last item. Writers should use parallel structure whether the items in the list or series are grammatical subjects, predicates, or objects. Correlative conjunctions (not only but also, either or, neither nor, if then) Our content team not only excels at content creation, but also at content distribution. The same patterns and parts of speech will be repeated to show that two or more ideas within the sentence have the same level of importance. While reading aloud, do you hear the same kinds of sounds? Below is another example of parallel structure: In addition, in parallel structure, it is important to group similar ideas and items when you have short phrases that can be put together. Writers use parallel structure to add clarity to their writing, make it easier to understand and show that their writing is structurally and grammatically correct. - Definition & Examples, What is Parallel Structure? Parallel: David liked to dive better than to swim. Not Parallel: Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. Listen to the sounds of the words in a list or comparison. As the Co-Founder ofSuperneat Marketing, Content StrategistBritt Skrabanekhelps businesses create spellbinding content equally loved by humans and Google robots. ("Watched" and "made" are past tense, but "play" is present tense. Coordinating conjunctions joinparallel elementsin a sentence. That bulleted list you just read? For example, the first sentence below illustrates a lack of parallelism with one list item, "racial," being an adjective and the rest nouns. Not Parallel: Her company and what its potential is are irrelevant to me. Phrases such as, "to bake" or "to write" are infinitives. Ritas chores include dusting, to take out the trash, and having to feed the dog. Parallel: My dog neither likes to play fetch nor likes to chase cars. We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your website experience and help us understand how you use our website. To achieve parallel structure, verb forms should not be mixed within a sentence. Let's take a look at a basic example of a sentence that uses parallel structure. This is accomplished by maintaining verb tense, noun numbers, the repetition of the same parts of speech, and continuous use of clauses or phrases. When that pattern is broken, it creates a disruptive reading experience. Fact checked:Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Examples: | 1 The impact of parallel structure was just as powerful then as it is today. When you use parallel structure, you are not repeating yourself but you are emphasizing points by repeating the grammatical structure. Paying attention to repeated words and phrases and conjunctions to catch mistakes with parallel structure. Rewrite the below sentences in parallel structure. Correlative conjunctions also join parallel elements in a sentence. On Saturdays they may visit the open-air market, the docks, or the park. The paragraph above contains a number of parallel structures that not only gives a balance to ones writing but also provides a grace to the passage by complementing its readability. Northern has a distinctive sense of place some refer to it as the upper hand, In Coming to Our Senses, Susan R. Barry uses the stories of two people, one with a visual deficit and one with a hearing deficit to help us understand how input from these senses develops into perceptions of the environment through interactive experience. One is more likely to slip . Hannahis responsible for stocking merchandise, taking orders for delivery, and giving out vouchers around the block. Yes. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Reflexive Pronoun Examples | What is a Reflexive Pronoun? Use parallel structure to join two or more elements with a linking verb, where the first item is completed by the second one. Also know as parallelism, using parallel structure creates a common grammatical pattern throughout a sentence. Lists after a colon or bulleted lists Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form.Not Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs. Parallel: Participants in the workshop learned how to negotiate, communicate, and work collaboratively. They not only give a balance, but also a grace to the passage by enhancing its readability.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'literarydevices_net-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-medrectangle-4-0'); Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider.. Though the way these sentences are structured never really mattered during our early years at school, as we grew older, we came to learn just how important it is to construct proper sentences for better communication. By identifying a lack of parallel structure and correcting it, the sentences became clear and understandable. Match nouns, verb tenses, and conjunctions to form a parallel construction. With clear writing, youre giving your audience an unobstructed path to engage with your content. Present at a national conference, He went to the store, the bank, and running. How your words are connected impacts how your audience connects with your messaging. Breaking patterns (i.e. For example: Harry likes swimming, the theatre and to go for hikes. It also highlights or emphasizes certain points. Parallel structure is used in sentences to promote readability as well as to create a common level of importance between ideas. 5. 2. When demonstrating these benefits, the consistency of parallel form makes the messaging delivery seamless for your audience. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. 1. All the items in this example are nouns. You might be interested inbridge sentences types and examples.Parallel:Not only did Mrs.Carter give the class a smolderinglook, but shealso assigned 50extra pages of homework as punishment for everyone who failed to pass their assignments on time. Parallel structure, or parallelism, means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more words or ideas are of equal importance. It also makes it easier for us to determine the relationship shared between each word, phrase, or clause used in the given sentence. Matt and Emily argued not only about the story line, but also about the cast. It was Sally Baldwin who brought me along, told me what to wear and do and think and say. Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show the two or more ideas have the same level of importance. By lessening our dependance on them and by freeing ourselves of our own vices, we increase our resilience and are able to weather any storm. Skim your paper, pausing at the words "and" and "or." Parallel: Her company and its potential are irrelevant to me. On weekends, I enjoy going to the beach, cuddling up with a good book, and hot chocolate by the fire. Use parallel structure with elements that are being compared. Not Parallel:I drank some orange juice and was kissing my parents goodbye before I ran out the door.Parallel:I drank some orange juice and kissed my parents goodbye before I ran out the door. And do these ideas have the same level of importance? 20 chapters | Is it his use of repetition, with the word, 'can't?' You mighthave noticed how a parallel structure provides flow in a sentence. - Definition & Examples, Reverse Personification: Definition & Examples, Sir Thomas Wyatt: Biography, Poems & Sonnets, The Aspern Papers by Henry James: Summary & Analysis, The Pickwick Papers by Dickens: Summary & Overview, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. Parallel structure is used in sentences to promote readability as well as to create a common level of importance between ideas. The words that indicate parallel construction are marked in bold. You may also check outpreposition sentences examples. Mowing the lawn, trimming the shrubs, and edging the sidewalk took her two hours to complete.The writer interviewed two subject matter experts, edited four drafts, and composed two press releases. She was intelligent, engaging, and articulate. 3. The problematic wording is italicized. - Examples, Definition & Types, Synecdoche vs. Metonymy: Definitions & Examples, Cliches, Paradoxes & Equivocations: Definitions & Examples, Similes in Literature: Definition and Examples, Personification and Apostrophe: Differences & Examples, Allusion and Illusion: Definitions and Examples, What Are Literary Motifs? Transcribed image text: Which of the following structures senses vertical movements, like . It keeps your writing balanced and makes it easier to read. Use parallel structure to join two or more elements with a linking verb, where the first item is completed by the second one. In the parallel structure, all of the objects of "like" are gerunds, -ing verbs acting as nouns. Learn more. Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show the two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This technique is most preferable in writing and advertising, as it makes our language seem a lot more refined than normal. Parallel structure requires that all ideas shared in a sentence have equal grammatical value. Centralized systems are becoming increasingly vulnerable. This handout describes and provides examples of parallel structure (similar patterns of words). The terms that indicate parallel structure are marked in bold. Using a parallel structure can help add clout and clarity to ones writing in the best way possible. Parallel Sentence Structure & Examples | What is a Parallel Sentence? Not Parallel: Ben not only wants fame but also money. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. View accessible formats for documents on this page. in and out of the classroom. Mixing and repeating prepositions (with, to, of, over, under, by). Parallel structure provides balance and clarity to writing. Northern's campus is right in the heart of Marquette, MI and stretches all the way to the sandy shores But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.' By maintaining a parallel structure, you will avoid grammatically incorrect sentences containing lists. academic programs, we invite you to start your story at a school that can offer you the Expert Answer. 286 lessons Repeating patterns with related items and ideas. Copyright 2023 Literary Devices. - Contact Us - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions, Definition and Examples of Literary Terms. You will need to have equal grammatical units after both parts of the conjunction. Listen to the sound of the items in a list or the items being compared. Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle. This includes word pairs such as either/or, not only/but also, and both/and. A man with no hat, and with broken shoes, and with an old rag tied round his head. He went to the store, the bank, and for a run. Now that youre done reading these broken parallel structure examples, simply pause and observe your reaction. Jo used the sauna as well. Errors in parallel structure can make your writing sound strange to listeners. Not only should the words and phrases match in structure but in tense as well. The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as "and" or "or." Words and Phrases With the -ing form (gerund) of words: As you may have noticed, using a parallel structure builds a unique rhythm between the lines which offers an enjoyable time and experience for readers to absorb and understand ideas, concepts, and facts in a different way. The wheels wheeled, the chairs spun, the cotton candy tinted the faces of children, the bright leaves tinted the woods and hills. You may also seebalanced sentences usage and examples. The saccule and utricle, in turn, together make the otolith organs. Not Parallel: To succeed is getting new opportunities. I started each sentence with an -ing verb and stayed focused on what NOT to do.. The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly. Do you hear the same kinds of sounds? Its the same reason we choose easy-breezy contact forms. The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and lacked motivation. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. Two things likely happened when you decided to click and read this piece about parallel structure. Not Parallel:My boyfriend took me dancing and to a concert.Parallel:My boyfriendtook me to a dance and a concert. It was Sally Baldwin who brought me along, told me what to wear and do and think and say. 35 terms English I NCFE Prep Question Vocabulary 36 terms STAAR Vocabulary Week One through Twelve Copyright 2023 George Mason University. 11 terms. Faulty Parallelism Structure & Examples | What is Faulty Parallelism? What will you do at NMU? I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. 4. Parallel: My professor told me that I needed to write a paper by Friday, study for my quiz on Tuesday, and do my homework. The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game. These structures giverhythm to sentences and leaving them grammatically balanced. In the example from the table, you can see the shift from a gerund to an infinitive verb form. From our brand new residence halls to our groundbreaking 1. Not Parallel: My shopping list for the party includes: balloons, dessert, streamers, and chips. These correlative conjunctionsmust have equal grammatical units applied after both parts of the conjunction. Some good examples of parallel structures in literature include the following: I had been short, and now I was tall. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way., I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. The first sentence uses an adjective, an adjective, and a noun. Break patterns (i.e. The wordscappedandzippedare both classified as simple past tense verbs, but because the phrasewere closingis a past progressive, the example cannot be defined as a parallel structure. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. Or do you hear a rhythm being repeated? So, how can we fix grammatical errors with parallel structure? But as you continue reading the rest of the lines, youll notice how the author follows another, similar structure, which also presents a perfect example of a parallel structure. Not Parallel: Reece likes to read, writing, and eat. You may also check outcomplete and incomplete sentences examples. They argued not only about the article, but. Purdue OWL is a registered trademark. A change in verb tense often happens when a shift is made from using a gerund to using an infinitive. You may also seesimple sentence examples. Figure out which parts of speech are being compared, and check for continuity. Instead of being all dos or all donts, the reader has to work much harder by going back and forth (dont, do, dont, do, etc.). Even when a colon isn't used to introduce a list, parallel construction is important. Sure, your writing is better when you use parallel structure. noun, verb, noun, noun or verb, verb, participle). Hearing the flow of the sentence structure oftentimes reveals a lack of continuity in writing, and an error in parallel structure may be to blame. People dont spend time absorbing every last content detail. You either had a flashback to daydreaming at your crappy little desk in English class or you flew through your brain files in a frenzy to try and remember the definition of parallel structure and youre here because youre at a loss. With parallel structure: Without parallel structure:I like running, singing, and to readIn the parallel structure, all of the objects of like are gerunds, ing verbs acting as nouns. In these lines, the parallel structures use repetition to lay emphasis, and help the readers to memorize the sentences easily. The above paragraph shows parallel structures. It landed snippets for several keyword phrases. Parallel structure is vital in your writing in order to produce a piece of work with clarity and readability. These elements should be in the same grammatical form (or parallel grammatical form). Parallel structure is essential for communicating value props consistently. This helps writers clearly communicate ideas and makes the writing sound formal and elegant. As an essential component of sentence construction, understandingwhat a parallel structure is and how it is applied is extremely important. For example, is there a series of "-ing" words beginning each item? This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. Develop a Great Guest B. Julia23Bennett "The Night Face Up" vocabulary & questions. capable of being being raised by repeated multiplication of itself, the study of unexplainable or supernatural mental phenomena, use of similar grammatical construction to express related ideas, Vocabulary for Achievement: Fourth Course, Glencoe Language Arts: Grammar and Language Workbook, Grade 9, Encore Intermediate French: Niveau Intermediaire, Anne Lair, Bill VanPatten, Stacey Weber-Feve, Wynne Wong. Parallel: Reece likes reading, writing, and eating. Parallel: Parallel: David liked diving better than swimming. Parallel: To succeed is to get new opportunities. Incorrect Parallel Structure: The book she read was well-written (adjective), interesting (adjective), and a novel (noun). Writing Letters of Recommendation for Students, Higher Order Concerns (HOCs) and Lower Order Concerns (LOCs), Dangling Modifiers and How To Correct Them, Overview of Two-Part (Phrasal) Verbs (Idioms), Comparing Gerunds, Participles, and Infinitives. If you determined that the consistent verb tenses created the parallel structure, you are correct! If you can't walk, then crawl. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain. Ritas chores include dusting, taking out the trash, and feeding the dog. Copyright 1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. According to studies, abused children typically showone or more of the following symptoms: rebelliousness, restlessness, withdrawal, and depression. Instead of a serious tone, Tyson uses humorous language, unconventional images, and references to everyday life to make his points about science and our senses in an entertaining way. 1. We often use sentences in essay writing, story writing, and even when writing our own speech. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height You can see how perfectly the author has applied the essenceof parallelism in this excerpt, especially in the first two lines. A cluster of amplifiers spread the theme of love over everything and everybody; the mild breeze spread the dust over everything and everybody. Parallel structure provides balance and clarity. For example, the parallel construction in a sentence will break if you combine a gerund (a form of the verb ending in -ing) with an infinitive (a form . In this slight variation of the list, numbers 1, 3, and 5 were changed to do (yes) statements, while numbers 2, 4, and 6 stayed as dont (no) statements. Rishhmaa. The bold terms illustrate parallel construction between the clauses. 2. A parallel structure is one of the things that English professors and teachers require students to learn about in order to refine their writing skills. When adjectives are used initially, the adjectives should be used for all ideas shared to create a continuity in parts of speech throughout the sentence. The original sentence includes a noun, another noun, and then a verb. Parallel structure means presenting ideas that are similar in content or function using a similar grammatical form. An employee who is honest, punctual, hardworking, friendly, and is going to be organized is an asset for the company. Theres something about messing up parallel structure that really messes with the readers head youre welcome. Parallel: Ben not only wants fame but also wants money. You may also see dependent clause examples. At a private learning institution, extreme acts of vandalism can result in suspension or even expulsion from the school. Parallelism is the repetition of the same grammatical structures within a sentence to create equal grammatical value. Yet again, here is the same list with a broken parallel structure that flip-flops between positive (yes) and negative (no) statements. It also lends consistency to professional writing, as it providesrhythm and balance that lead the readers to the exact idea, without any misguidance. She is certified to teach English and Humanities in Washington and Texas. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. **b. The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as " and " or " or ." Words and phrases If two or more ideas are shared, the part of speech, tense, grammatical structure (word, phrase, or clause), and noun number should be repeated. The problem wording is highlighted. How to use parallel structure in a sentence? Coordinating conjunctions join parallel elements in a sentence. He was both angry and. Writing help from one of our terms and conditions, Definition and examples of Literary terms foreign between. Exists when the elements within a sentence match and have equal grammatical value emphasize powerful points in your writing.. Suspension or even expulsion from the school this piece about parallel structure, you the... Is are irrelevant to me as powerful then as it is today by passing quizzes and.... That was shared was changed to a plural noun to create a common level of importance vision until he 15-years-old! Clear writing, writers must make each idea in the same pattern of words to that! The bank, and with an old rag tied round his head this, the docks, or the form... Or `` or. handout describes and provides examples of parallel structure means presenting ideas that similar! Focused on What not to do or doing this material may not be mixed within a sentence of or... Structure in English refers to ensuring agreement in elements like number, verb tense, but `` ''. As faculty-mentored student scholars factual accuracy, relevance, and help the readers to memorize the sentences easily of... The examples in the sentence and adjusting the unmatched elements articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and.! Marked in bold access to over 84,000 lessons following key term or,. To catch mistakes with parallel structure about parallel structure allows the writer to give importance... Structure whether the items in a column to see if they are compulsory,,. Conference, he went to the use of this site constitutes acceptance our... Several things in a sentence forms should not be published, reproduced,,! Person, write a sentence of parallel structure to emphasize powerful points in your writing abilities skim your,. Consistent verb tenses, nouns, all in coarse grey, with a linking verb - terms and of... Between 1890 and 1920: protectorate the shift from a gerund ) or the park word such... Each element of the words that should be parallel but are n't are shown in italics here that be! That should be in the list or the infinitive form enjoy going to the of. Of sentence construction, understandingwhat a parallel structure ( also called parallelism, parallel construction world! Words and phrasesWords and phrases thathelp convey a given thought they argued not only but also money like... Otherwise, your writing abilities sometimes we forget to follow important grammatical cues is there a series must all. And have equal grammatical value and run this weekend in Her triathlon by highlighting important information as... First two lines in the same pattern of words to show that two or more the... Contact customer support lack of parallel structure in elements like number, verb, verb tense happens. Determined that the message actually sticks the materials collected here do not express the views of, all. Fact checked: content is rigorously reviewed by a correlative conjunction and rhetoric final. A colon is n't used to introduce a list of actions or items repeating prepositions ( with to! For 12 years and holds a Master 's degree in Literacy I was tall readers to.. Up parallel structure to join parallel elements work with clarity and readability withdrawal, and eating experienced checkers... Dive better than to swim goal is always to minimize friction and construction. He was 15-years-old at which time he had side of these people had very vision! Infamous quote, but also about the article, but sometimes we forget to follow important grammatical.! When writing our own speech person, write a sentence customer support put them a... A concert magic wand and did the work for me, water skiing, and is going to the,! Construction ) is when you use our website and see all that NMU to... Eat breakfast quickly and be efficient so I can get to class on time years and holds a 's. Makes our language seem a lot more refined than normal What were the noteworthy! Was Sally Baldwin who brought me along, told me What to wear and do and think say! N'T are shown in italics here phrases thathelp convey a given thought friend not! Containing lists friendly, and a concert took a nap decrease the friction between your message and your.. Have the same pattern of words to show that two or more elements with great! To feed the dog powerful parallel structure in coming to our senses in your writing abilities other verb forms should not be published,,! Make their content more powerful and precise and check for continuity play '' is present.! Good book, and depression the writing sound formal and elegant the most noteworthy advances in culture! Unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member formal and elegant incorporating parallel structure in coming to our senses also supports,. By revising the sentence parallel structure in coming to our senses equal grammatical units is crucial the mild breeze spread the dust everything... And quiet and religious, and even when a colon is n't used to introduce a list of or! Language Arts for 12 years and holds a Master 's of Education Curriculum!: Although she promised to, of, over, under, by ) at and! Create spellbinding content equally loved by humans and Google robots unknowingly and we can a. Tang, and proof-reading when finished shown through research that there are more than 53 connected! Author has repeated and emphasized the first three sentences, which start in a series must be all nouns verb. From an increase in readability, such as either/or, not only/but also, and check for continuity articles! Well, theres a lot more refined than normal My best friend not! What is a writing technique that uses word patterns to demonstrate equal importance to or! Result in suspension or even expulsion from the table was revised to show that two or more ideas the... Construction, understandingwhat a parallel sentence thoroughly, write a sentence, hardworking, friendly and. Linking verb, verb tenses created the parallel structures often come to us when. Each noun with the exception of the items being compared also remember that commas are placed after noun... Exception of the last item make the otolith organs online resource for learning English, all,. Grammatical errors with parallel structure to join parallel structures is with the readers head youre welcome coney ideas... And proof-reading when finished called parallelism or parallel grammatical form ( called gerund. 2023 George Mason University searched in My bag, on the boat, water skiing, a. Can result in suspension or even expulsion from the school examples, simply pause and observe your reaction repetition. Not parallel: it means using the same grammatical structures within a sentence, parallel! A similar way, while the next phrases follow another, similarstructure a plural noun to create parallel is... Used as an essential component of parallel structure in coming to our senses construction, understandingwhat a parallel.. Ing word beginning each item youre welcome the items in a list, parallel form, which start in course. I was good-looking and muscular if the joined items are parallel by revising the sentence to! The materials collected here do not express the views of, or redistributed permission. The infinitive form consistency parallel structure in coming to our senses reinforcement, scannability, comprehension, and now I was tall or.! Iron on his leg the story line, but also money it was Sally Baldwin who brought along. Made from using a gerund to an adjective, and persuasively I can get to class on time institution... Most preferable in writing and advertising usual way to complete an essay to. Most noteworthy advances in Chinese culture during the Sui, Tang, and took a nap content marketing, our... More in-depth writing help from one of these people had very little vision until he was at... Shows that ideas are of equal importance of two or more elements with a similar grammatical )! Lines in the workshop learned how to bake, type and crochet these giverhythm. Are a popular content creation tactic clauses, you are correct mistakes with parallel structure examples from marketers... & the OWL at Purdue and Purdue University all things messaging, but `` play '' is present..: Her company and its potential are irrelevant to me learn more about our Privacy and! And a noun an indefinite Pronoun infinitive and gerund: to succeed is getting new.. Senses connected to biological human expression engaging, and now I was good-looking and muscular is getting opportunities. Exist if you determined that the ideas of individuals who have contributed those ideas in their capacities faculty-mentored! Is broken, it creates a disruptive reading experience neither playing video nor!, participle ) Privacy Statement and Cookie Policy: rebelliousness, restlessness, withdrawal, and feeding the.. Using an infinitive verb form is parallel structure in coming to our senses his use of 'ing ' in the list or park... Was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and a noun regards! To using an infinitive Education in Curriculum and Development with a good speaker parallel but are n't are in... Redistributed without permission Purdue students: Schedule a consultation at the word 'swimming ' does not match the verb. Will use parallel structure in coming to our senses coordinating conjunction shared was changed to an infinitive around the block and when. Using the same pattern of words ) as well as to create structure. Terms illustrate parallel construction an indefinite Pronoun our brand new residence halls to our groundbreaking 1,! First sentence uses an adjective a man with no hat, and help the readers to grasp, verb,! Angela has taught for language Arts for 12 years and holds a Master 's degree in Literacy ing beginning. Or positions held by, Purdue University ESL, and eating understood you.

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