Parallel Structure

Parallel Structure is….•Taking out repetitive words and

combining similar sentences and ideas is called parallel structure, parallel construction, and parallelism.   In parallel structure, it is important to group similar ideas and items together.

E.g. •Jesse picked up his pens•Jesse picked up his books This is

redundant•Jesse picked up his shoes

What does it do?•Parallel structure involves putting

together elements of similar structure to achieve balanced writing

•Winston Churchill did not say▫I have nothing to offer but bleeding, toil,

tears, and sweating•He said

▫I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat

•Churchill understood parallelism

Parallel Structure•Good parallel structure improves the

clarity of your writing •To make your writing parallel, use the

same grammatical form for all items in a list

•Lists can be any of these things:▫Nouns▫Adjectives▫Adverbs▫Prepositions▫Clauses

Parallel Structure In Sentences

•Poor: Betty has intelligence, honesty, and she is funny

•Improved: Betty has intelligence, honesty, and humour

•Poor: Good writing requires you to plan outlines, write several drafts, and revision

•Improved: Good writing requires you to plan outlines, write several drafts, and revise your work

Prepositional Phrases

•Poor: Paula went to work, a restaurant, and to the movies.

•Improved: Paula went to work, a restaurant, and the movies.

•Improved: Paula went to work, to a restaurant, and to the movies.

Prepositional Phrases (cont’d)•Poor: There are trains leaving the station

in the morning and noon. •Read out loud:•In the morning•But does in noon work?•Improved:

▫There are trains leaving the station in the morning and at noon.

•The prepositions must be correct to the word or phrase following

Mismatched Items in a List

•Poor : John was healthy, wealthy, and an athlete.

•What is wrong with this sentence?•(noun, noun, adjective)•How do we fix it?•Improved: John was healthy, wealthy and

athletic.

Situations that require Parallelism!!•Both X and Y . . . •Not X but Y •Not only X but also Y . . . •Neither X nor Y . . . •Either X or Y . . . 

•Remember: the words in the list must be the same grammatical form (i.e. noun, adjective, etc..)

Try it out…1. The factory workers were ready, able, and were quite determined to do a great job.

2. The computer network is safer, stronger, and more secure. 

3.  We cannot be worried or terrified of difficulties in life. 

4.  The actor taught his student how to read, how to stand, how to cry, and to talk with fans. 

5.  The requirements for a chemistry degree are not as strict as a medical degree.

And some more..

6. Either you can join the army or the navy.7.  The reorganization of the company is

neither simple nor it will be cheap.  8.  When I was in high school, I learned

piano and how to play the guitar.9.  Fred supports the idea because, first, its

simplicity; second, it is unique.10.  They are either our friends or they are

not.

Answers1.The factory workers were ready, able, and

determined to do a great job.2. No change3.We cannot be worried about or terrified of the

difficulties in life. 4. The actor taught his student how to read, how

to stand, how to cry, and how to talk with fans. 5. The requirements for a chemistry degree are

not as strict as the requirements for a medical degree.

Answers (cont’d)

6.You can join either the army or the navy7. The reorganization of the company is

neither simple nor cheap.8. When I was in high school, I learned how

to play the piano and guitar.9.Fred supports the idea because, first, it is

simple; second, it is unique.10.They are either our friends or our

enemies.