Source: USF poster with grammatical concurrency error.
a photo of a mask application without a parallel structure
die esParallelism, parallel structure, parallel construction?
parallelism, by the wayParallel structureÖparallel construction, is a grammatical structure in an English sentence.
a sentence usedparallelismwhen two or more elements in the sentence are grammatically similar or identical in structure, sound, meaning or meter, as shown below.
Related concepts:Edit for concurrency;Voice;enrollment;
whyquestion of parallelism?
The parallel structure is important because it is a fundamental part of the English sentence, whether spoken or written.
parallelismis a powerful tool forAuthors, speakers, knowledge workers:
Martin Luther King hallo.1.parallelismcan create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. Consider for example
“I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state seething in the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that one day my four young children will live in a nation where they are judged not by the color of their skin but by their character. I had a dream today."
2.parallelismcan help authors achieve somethingbrevityjsimplicity, two great attributes of contemporary discourse. For example, using participle phrases can help organize several different things around you.Clear, which allows the author to avoid repeating a topic. Example:
"I like to study, sleep and go to the beach".
Imagine how boring that sentence would be, how basic it would be, if the writer said, "IHow do I learn? I like to sleep. I like going to the beach."
3.parallelismPromotes reading comprehension by allowing readers to break down information: Elements of a sentence (eg.Words,phrases,prayers) – as equals and related.parallelismpermittedwriterAdd symmetry, efficiency and balance to yoursText: % s.
error oneparallelismare serious because they impede communication, which confuses the reader. WhenAuthors, speakers, knowledge workers. 🇧🇷 🇧🇷If a parallel structure is not used, all hell breaks loose and confusion ensues. atrophy occurs. Readers click online.
And?
As readers flip through the sentences, they anticipate what to expect based on their implied knowledge of English.Grammatikjmechanics🇧🇷 If onewriterbegins by listing a series, readers will expect you to complete that series with more examples.
If other sentence structures are then introduced and the series is not complete, readers deviate and misunderstandings arise.
Can I see some examples of concurrency?
Here is an example of a sentence with an incorrect parallel structure:
"I like to study, sleep and go to the beach".
In this example that mentions three activities, the list does not use a parallel structure. The terms are not parallel. There are two infinitives (study, go to the beach) and a gerund (sleep). In other words, the three items on this list do not match. This sentence is grammatically incorrect.(Video) Parallel structure | Syntax | Khan Academy
Here is an example of a sentence with the correct parallel structure:
"I like to study, sleep and go to the beach".
In this example, the three are list itemsGerund(study, sleep, walk). Fit. The list is parallel and the sentence is grammatically correct.
Why is it important to use the parallel structure?
A lack of parallel structure can disrupt the rhythm of a sentence, leaving it grammatically unbalanced. Proper parallel structure helps establish balance and flow in a well-constructed sentence; Alignment of related ideas aids readability and clarity.
Let's see an example:
- not parallel: The President traveled to several cities to meet with voters, give speeches and raise campaign funds.
- parallel: The President traveled to different cities, met with voters, gave speeches and collected campaign funds.
Isn't a parallel structure always wrong?
Most of the time yes. Usually a concurrency error disrupts the rhythm of your sentence and leaves the reader confused but not sure why. These types of mistakes do not always interfere with understanding, but they do have an effectthe style of your writing, which unduly burdens the reader as they have trouble deciphering your intent. Unless you are making a specific point and want to throw the reader off balance, use a parallel structure in your writing.
Parallelism in grammatical structures
Since sentences can contain a large number of grammatical elements, they can be structured in parallel in many ways.
ParStructure Allelego in lists
Whenever you list words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence, they must have a parallel structure. For example:
I like cycling, swimming and cycling.
Note that each item on the list of things the speaker enjoys doing is in the same verb form. In this way, the reader realizes that the three elements of the sentence together belong to the same category: this list.
Inconsistent parallelism becomes very apparent in short lists like the one above. If you sayI like cycling, swimming and walking a lot,You will probably find that these elements do not go together.
Note the use of the Oxford comma (or "series comma") when creating lists. The use and abuse of this comma can change the meaning of your sentences. Consider these examples:
"My heroes are my two uncles, George Washington and Martin Luther King, Jr."
This phrase implies that you have four heroes: an uncle, another uncle, Washington and King.
"My heroes are my two uncles, George Washington and Martin Luther King, Jr."
This phrase implies that you have two uncles who are important figures in American history.
[Come]
ParStructure Alleleturawith the articles — A and An
Not correct:She couldn't decide whether to wear a formal dress, a fun skirt, or jeans and a t-shirt.
This is difficult, but notice the use of the word "a".
Right:I couldn't decide if I wanted to use ita formal dress, a fun skirt,ÖJeans and a t-shirt.
Not correct:In this new job, look forward to working with new technologies, developing innovative solutions and working with talented professionals.
Note: Notice the "a" word.
Right:Wait in this new workworkwith emerging technology,developedinnovative solutions andwork togetherwith talented professionals.Right:Wait in this new workworkwith emerging technology,developedinnovative solutions andwork togetherwith talented professionals.
Parallel structure with correlative conjunctions
The use of a correlative conjunction(not only... but also, either... or, neither... nor, both... and)requires a parallel structure of both subordinate clauses or both phrases in the sentence. When a verb follows the first correlative conjunction, a verb must follow the second conjunction in the conjunction. Consider alternative ways to form sentences around each word pair to maintain a parallel structure:
use verbs:Anyyou writeÖYou have a very important free press responsibility for the school newspaper to tell the truth.
use of nouns: Amber ishowfriendlier Personahowshe is an informed and conscientious scholar.
Use of prepositional phrases:Search engine optimization (SEO) makes sensenot onlyfor businessbut alsofor consumers.
Use of adjectival phrases: There are many aspects of SEO,again the words on your pageonethe way other websites connect to you on the web.
Not correct:When deciding whether to travel by car or plane, the traveler must consider not only the cost but also the distance to the destination.
"cost" is a noun; "know how far" is a sentence.
Right:When deciding whether to travel by car or plane, the traveler not only has to take these into accountcostbut also thedistance.
Not correct:Many college students not only have to balance part-time jobs, but also full-time course loads.
“Part-time jobs” is a noun; "Take many full-time courses" is a phrase.
Right:Many college students don't just have to balancepart-time jobbut alsoFull hour utilization.
Parallel structure with comparisons
Not correct:To make new friends, Jessie thought it was better to be on the running team than to be a member of the chess club.
"Run" is a gerund; "Association" is a noun.
Right:To make new friends, Jessie thought.Running on the track teamit was better thanjoin the chess club.
parallel structure in the voice
Not correct:You can pay the service fee now or pay the bill later.
You must have a consistent subject (you) that does both.
Right:You can pay the service fee now or later.
Right:the service feeYou can now pay, or the accountYou can pay later.
[Voice]
parallel structure in sentences
not correct: Put the soccer ball on the counter or in the shed.
Right: Please put the footballat the counterÖin the shed.
parallel structure clauses
not correct: My parents did not approve of my actions or my statements.
Right: My parents did not agreeWhat have I doneInsidei said that.
Parallelism in action
not correct: According to my taxes, I donated money to a Women's center, children's clinics, etc public school last year.
Right: Last year, because of my taxes, I donated money to a women's center, two children's hospitals, and a public school.
not correct: I taught my sister how to speak properly, eat properly and say "thank you".
Right: I taught my sister how to speak properly, eat properly and say thank you.
Right: I taught my sister how to speak properly, eat properly and say "thank you".
Not correct:Arts and crafts projects encourage children to be creative, patient and make them feel accomplished.
Right:Arts and crafts projects encourage kids to be creative, be patient, and appreciate a job well done.
Right:Arts and crafts projects encourage kids to be creative, be patient, and complete tasks that can boost their self-esteem.
Right:Arts and crafts projects encourage kids to be creative, be patient, and take pride in their work.
Not correct:Wikipedia is an ambitious project that lacks credibility for university work but is intriguing as an example of "collective collaboration".
Right:Wikipedia is an ambitious project that lacks academic credibility, but it is a fascinating example of "collaboration".
Not correct:To complete the installation of this ceiling fan, you will need a screwdriver, wrench, pliers, two light bulbs, electrical tape, and patience.
Right:To complete the installation of this ceiling fan, you will need a screwdriver, wrench, pliers, two light bulbs, electrical tape, and patience.
Not correct:In some parts of the country, a fizzy drink is called a "soda", while in other parts of the country, "pop" is used.
Right:In some parts of the country, a fizzy drink is referred to as a "soda", while in other parts of the country it is referred to as a "pop".
Not correct:The best American Westerns seem to have been filmed in the American West, but Europe has been the location for many of them.
Right:The best American Westerns seem to have been filmed on location in the American West, but many have been filmed in Europe.
Not correct:Many controversial literary works were banned from school libraries. Examples include "Howl," a poem by Allen Ginsberg; Mark Twain's great novelThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn🇧🇷 and J.D.'s favorite young adult. SalingerThe Catcher in the Rye;and even the Bible was temporarily banned.
Right:Many controversial literary works were banned from school libraries. Examples include "Howl," a poem by Allen Ginsberg;The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the great novel by Mark Twain;The catcher in the rye, the young darling of J.D. Salinger; and even the Bible.
not correct: "The ship also features a 1,380-seat theater showing the Broadway musical Grease, a comedy club, a jazz club, a casino, a water theater and a karaoke bar."
Sloans, Gen. "The largest cruise ship of all time sets sail on its maiden voyage."United States today23. May 2016.
Right: The ship also features a 1,380-seat theater showing the Broadway musical Grease. The theater doubles as a comedy club, jazz club, casino, water theater and karaoke bar.
Edit for parallel structure
How do I recognize problems withParallelism, parallel structure?
To work on parallel structure problems, identify lists of words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence, identify all parts of the list, and check that all of those parts have the same grammatical form.
1. First, determine if your sentence contains multiple words, phrases, or clauses that list similar information.
I like going fishing, food and France.
The sentence contains a list of words and phrases that name the things I like:go fishing, eat, SheFrance.
2. Second, check that all of these parts of speech have the same grammatical form. For example, if a is just a noun, they must all be nouns, or if a is an "-ing" verb, they must all be "-ing" verbs.
I like going fishing, food and France.
I liketo go fishing[frase verbal „-ing“],Food[noun] andFrance[noun]. These three list items do not have the same grammatical format.
If the parts of the list do not have the same grammatical format, then your sentence does not have a parallel structure: you have to check whether a parallel structure arises.
Third, change all parts of your sentence list to have the same grammatical form. There are several possibilities for this. Two examples are shown below.
I liketo go fishing,Food, SheFrance.
1. Convert the three items on the list into "-ing" verb phrases.
checked: I liketo go fishing,Eat food, SheVisit to France.
2. Convert the three list items into nouns.
checked: I likefishing,Food, SheFrance.
If you don't know how to change a word from one grammatical form to another, look it up in the dictionary! Immediately after each word, you are told the form of the word (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, etc.). If you don't say the name of the word form, an abbreviation is in parentheses. The most common word forms are (n) = noun, (v) = verb, (adj) = adjective and (adv) = adverb. Finding different forms of English words can be confusing. So if you're not sure how to turn a verb into a noun, your best bet is to look it up in the dictionary.
How can a sentence be revised to reflect a parallel structure?
- Find a list within a sentence: Search for words or phrases of the same meaning, separated by commas and connected by a conjunction
not parallel: DR. Kall challenged his students to initiate their own learning, be creative in problem solving, and think independently. (In this sentence, Dr. Kall wants his students to do or be three things, but the items on this list do not have a parallel structure.)
2.Evaluate the forms of the words in the list.
- Verbs appear as infinitive (it + verb), the gerunds (-ing palabras🇧🇷 How present or past tense? (Choose a voice and tense that matches the surrounding sentences.)
- Are nouns or pronouns and their modifiers consistent?
3.Change the words in the list to create a proper parallel structure.
parallel: DR. Kall challenged his students to become motivated learners, creative problem solvers and independent thinkers. (In this sentence, Dr. Kall wants his students to be three things and not a combination of being and doing. Also, the list follows a pattern where nouns and adjectives appear in parallel.)
education
Identify each sentence as true or false. Tick the wrong sentences.
- The hawks circled overhead, scanning the ground for little mice, little raccoons near streams, and a few squirrels scurrying about in the wheat field.
- Red-tailed hawks roost on fences along the side road and on utility poles near town.
- Doctors encourage patients to drink more water and exercise three times a week.
- The hotel reception told Geoffrey to either cancel his reservation or pay for the room in cash.
- His father said he would take the family to the Grand Canyon or they could see the Painted Desert.
- A story about today's cable networks is less news and more a questionable manipulation of the truth.
- Has television, computer and cell phone use negatively impacted our culture?
- Is today's cable news reliable, unbiased and accurate?
- Employees not only have to wear a protective cover, but also carry ID cards with them at all times.
- It is better to come to work on time than to be late.
Mark true or false for the parallel structure. Tick the wrong sentences.
- During Isabella's trip to Florence, she visited the Uffizi Gallery, visited St. Peter's Basilica and went shopping in Florence.
- Much to their relief, many Italians spoke English to the visitors and translated Italian for the American tourists.
- She was very impressed by Michelangelo's sculptures, includingDavid, aPiety,and that of Moses.
- If you travel to Florence, be sure to visit the small shops along the narrow streets selling handmade suitcases, briefcases and leather bags.
- Also, pack light, buy train tickets in advance, and bring two credit cards.
- In her travel article, Olive Ventini explains that tourists can visit the Duomo di Firenze as long as they arrive early and don't take photos.
- The English-Italian dictionary is useful not only for Italian speakers, but also for many people trying to learn it.
- It's difficult to find a cheap hotel room in the winter months, but hostels are a great alternative if you don't mind sharing a room and sleeping on a hard mattress.
- A true Renaissance man, Michelangelo was a great painter and created many sculptures.
- You can plan to stay in Rome for several weeks or pay a short visit.
- Some argue that enrolling in college classes is more difficult than taking the actual courses.
- According to mindfulness practitioners, meditating for a few minutes is easier than sitting for fifteen minutes.
- George and Martha have learned that when traveling it is better to trust your intuition than to take advice from strangers.
- Taking notes requires summarizing key points, highlighting details, and making sure you're using a consistent method.
- The 100 meter hurdles is easier than the 300 meter hurdles.
Mark true or false for the parallel structure. Tick the wrong sentences.
- At the park, Jimmy enjoys climbing the jungle gym, swinging on the tire swing and playing in the sandpit.
- Gasoline prices are near historic highs; Drivers should pick up to check tire pressure and not drive faster than the speed limit.
- Jessica made an "A"”in her science project, a "B" on her math test, and her English test was 100 percent.
- college is tough; Students must read all assignments, complete all assignments, and attend all classes.
- To be successful in college, you must study hard, manage your time, and seize opportunities to help.
- In order to get a good grade, priority should be given to reading books, doing homework, and attending.
- Grading was based on final exam results, number of labs completed, and whether we missed too many classes.
- Your homework can be typed in pencil, pen or on a computer.
- The library has three areas: the lending desk, the reference area and the study rooms.
- Even when he exercises and eats healthy, Jonathan has a hard time staying slim.
Mark true or false for the parallel structure. Tick the wrong sentences.
- With Sue neither eating right nor exercising, she has no hope of losing weight before the wedding.
- Yoshi loves music, talking and dancing in clubs.
- Steven enjoys playing video games, listening to heavy metal, and skateboarding.
- Leslie prefers to watch TV, read a good book or a romantic film.
- Jim is always on his iPhone, talking, texting, or checking his email.
- The country's biggest problems are economic, social and conflicts in the Middle East.
- In his speech, the candidate addressed the financial collapse, the war in Afghanistan and the healthcare system.
- Luis not only likes spaghetti and salad, but also grills hamburgers on the grill.
- The nanny forgot to bathe the baby, wash the dishes and take out the garbage.
- The application asked for my address, my level of education and my professional experience.
recommended resources
FAQs
What is parallel structure answer? ›
Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as "and" or "or."
What is an example of parallelism parallel structure? ›Parallel: My dog not only likes to play fetch, but he also likes to chase cars. My dog likes not only to play fetch, but also to chase cars. When you connect two clauses or phrases with a word of comparison, such as than or as, use parallel structure.
What is parallelism in sentence construction? ›Parallelism refers to using similar words, clauses, phrases, sentence structure, or other grammatical elements to emphasize similar ideas in a sentence. It makes the sentence concise, clear, and easy to read.
How do you solve parallel structures? ›Correct parallel structure allows for essays and paragraphs to flow more smoothly for the reader. To fix an error in parallel structure, the writer must put all the words or phrases in a series in the same form.
How do you find the parallel structure of a sentence? ›Parallelism occurs when at least two parts of a sentence (clauses or phrases) have a similar form. Here's an example: I love swimming, but I don't like snorkeling.
Which is an example of parallelism? ›In English grammar, parallelism (also called parallel structure or parallel construction) is the repetition of the same grammatical form in two or more parts of a sentence. I like to jog, bake, paint, and watching movies. I like to jog, bake, paint, and watch movies.
What are three examples of parallel? ›Railway track lines, window lines,wicket sticks in cricket match.
What is an example of parallel structure in a poem? ›Simple Parallel Sentence Structures
The poem “From Blossoms” by Li-Young Lee has an example of prepositional phrases in parallel structure: “From laden boughs, from hands, / from sweet fellowship in the bins, / comes nectar at the roadside.” Here, the repeated prepositional phrases give the poem flow and rhythm.
Parallelism is a similarity of grammatical form for similar elements of meaning within a sentence or among sentences. If two or more ideas are parallel, they should be expressed in parallel grammatical form. Single words should be balanced with single words, phrases with phrases, clauses with clauses.
What are the three conditions of parallelism? ›- Corresponding angles are equal.
- Alternate angles are equal.
- Interior angles on the same side of the transversal are supplementary.
What are types of parallel construction? ›
- "Between" and "And" Incorrect: We debated the difference between the weather in Minnesota in the winter and how hot it is in the summer. ...
- "Both" and "And" ...
- "Neither" and "Nor"; "Either" and "Or" ...
- "Not Only" and "But Also"
Some examples of parallelism in rhetoric include the following: "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. I have a dream today." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Which sentence uses correct parallel construction? ›Answer:- The sentence that uses correct parallel structure is: Enrique promises to arrive on time and to work with a smile.
Is there a solution for parallel lines? ›When the lines are parallel, there are no solutions, and sometimes the two equations will graph as the same line, in which case we have an infinite number of solutions.
How do you identify the structure of a sentence? ›Different sentence structures are determined by the number of independent and dependent clauses. One independent clause is a simple sentence. Two independent clauses is a compound sentence. One independent clause and at least one dependent clause make a complex sentence.
Why parallel structure is important? ›Parallel structure is used in sentences to promote readability as well as to create a common level of importance between ideas. Also know as parallelism, using parallel structure creates a common grammatical pattern throughout a sentence.
What is the meaning of parallel example? ›— used to describe lines, paths, etc., that are the same distance apart along their whole length and do not touch at any point. parallel train tracks. A square is made of two sets of parallel lines. The corn is planted in parallel rows. The lines are parallel to each other.
Why do we use parallelism? ›Parallelism—or parallel structure—simply means using the same grammatical pattern or structure when listing two or more words, phrases, or clauses. We use parallelism for aesthetic purposes as well as to demonstrate that the ideas under discussion have the same level of importance.
How many types of parallel structures are there? ›14 Types of Parallel Structure to Improve Your Writing.
What are the two types of parallelism? ›The definition of parallelism is based on the word “parallel,” which means “to run side by side with.” There are two kinds of parallelism in writing—parallelism as a grammatical principle and parallelism as a literary device.
How many types of parallel are there? ›
There are two types of parallel processes: fine-grained and coarse-grained. Tasks communicate with one another numerous times per second in fine-grained parallelism to deliver results in real-time or very close to real-time.
What are the characteristics of parallelism? ›- Repeating the same words and phrases within the same sentence.
- Emphasizing a specific point or idea.
- Creating a flow in the sentence(s) to make it better/easier to read.
A simple way to check for parallelism in your writing is to make sure you have paired nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, prepositional phrases with prepositional phrases, and so on. Underline each element in a sentence and check that the corresponding element uses the same grammatical form.
Why is it called parallel? ›Two or more lines that lie in the same plane and never intersect each other are known as parallel lines. They are equidistant from each other and have the same slope. Let us learn more about parallel lines in this article.
What are the 8 parallel lines? ›Parallel lines are the lines that do not intersect or meet each other at any point in a plane. They are always parallel and are at equidistant from each other. Parallel lines are non-intersecting lines.
What are 3 characteristics of parallel lines? ›They are always straight lines with an equal distance between each other. They are coplanar lines. They never intersect, no matter how far you try to extend them in any given direction. If there is a transversal line that intersects two parallel lines at two different points, it will form 4 angles at each point.
What is non parallel structure? ›What is a non-parallel structure? Parallel structure is when you use the same way of describing several things in a list - so non-parallel structure is when you use different ways.
How do you write a construction sentence? ›- Steve kicked the ball.
- People who practice a lot get higher scores.
- I bought some flowers for my mother.
- I bought my mother some flowers.
- I cooked dinner and my father bought some drinks.
- Buildings under construction have an amazing way of visually shrinking and expanding. ...
- The demand for steel in construction is set to be slow for the rest of this year.
- The two men had been partners in a construction business. ...
- But the grammar depends on the sentence construction.
Parallel structure in writing refers to using words, phrases, or clauses that are similar or identical in form, structure, or sound. Not only does it improve readability, but also shows that two or more ideas are equal in importance.
What is parallel in simple words? ›
: something equal or similar in all essential particulars : counterpart. : similarity, analogue. 3. : a comparison to show resemblance.
What is called a parallel? ›Parallel lines are the lines that do not intersect or meet each other at any point in a plane. They are always parallel and are at equidistant from each other. Parallel lines are non-intersecting lines. We can also say Parallel lines meet at infinity.
What is parallelism 12th class? ›Parallelism is a literary device in which parts of the sentence are grammatically the same, or are similar in construction.
Why does parallel mean? ›In math, parallel means two lines that never intersect — think of an equal sign. Figuratively, parallel means similar, or happening at the same time. A story might describe the parallel lives of three close friends.
What are the types of parallel? ›There are two types of parallel processes: fine-grained and coarse-grained. Tasks communicate with one another numerous times per second in fine-grained parallelism to deliver results in real-time or very close to real-time.
Which line are parallel? ›If two non-vertical lines that are in the same plane has the same slope, then they are said to be parallel. Two parallel lines won't ever intersect. If two non-vertical lines in the same plane intersect at a right angle then they are said to be perpendicular.
What is a parallel class 6? ›In geometry, parallel lines are the lines which maintain the same distance apart from each other and never intersect at any point.