Parallelism

What is Parallelism?
Parallelism

in writing means that similar parts

in a sentence (2 or more) must have the same
structure.

Their parts are comparable and balanced.

Allows writing to flow smoothly and helps avoid
misunderstandings.

When

similar parts do not follow the same

structure, you have created Faulty Parallelism.

Understanding Parallelism
Use

similar structures to express similar ideas.

Put nouns with nouns

Faulty

(F): I enjoy basketball more than playing video

games.
Correct (C): I enjoy basketball more than video games.

Put verbs with verbs (and use same tense)

F:

On our anniversary, we ate, danced, and were singing.

C: On our anniversary, we ate, danced, and sang.

Put adjectives with adjectives

F:

My history class was both interesting and a challenge.

C: My history class was both interesting and challenging.

Parallelism in Pairs & Lists

When

you present two or more items in a

series joined by and or or, use similar form
for each item.

F: I am doing well in my English class, in my math

class, and in history.
F: I am doing well in my English class, in my math
class, and my history class.
C: I am doing well in my English class, in my
math class, and in my history class.

Parallelism in Comparisons
In

comparisons, the items being compared

must have parallel structure.

F: Driving to Austin is as fast as to fly.

C: Driving to Austin is as fast as flying.
F: Buying textbooks is almost as expensive as
tuition.
C: Buying textbooks is almost as expensive as
paying tuition.
C: Textbooks are almost as expensive as tuition.

Parallelism with Paired Words

When a sentence uses correlative conjunctions, the

items joined by them must be parallel.

F: My history course is both interesting and a challenge.

C: My history course is both interesting and challenging.
F: You must either make a C in the course or taking it again
will be the consequence.
C: You must either make a C in the course or take it again.
F: I would rather work hard and pass than to repeat the
course.
C: I would rather work hard and pass than repeat the
course.