The man at the desk ordered the

naughty kid to behave, to sit down

and that he should wait until he was
spoken to.

The speakers at the seminar talked

about the matters like political
stability, social ineqality and
economical revival of the third-
world countries.
 PARALLELISM
Parallelism means using equivalent
grammatical forms to express equivalent ideas.
An equivalent grammatical form is a word or
group of words that matches – is parallel to – the
structure of a corresponding word or group of
words.
Parallel Words
 Recommended exercise includes running,
swimming, and to cycle.
 Recommended exercise includes running,
swimming, and cycling.
(The ‘ing’ words are parallel in structure and equal in importance)
 PARALLELISM

Parallel Phrases
 Exercise helps people to maintain healthy bodies
and handling mental pressures.
 Exercise helps people to maintain healthy bodies
and to handle mental pressures.
Parallel Clauses
 Many people begin to exercise because they
want to look healthy, because they need to have
stamina, and hoping to live longer.
 Many people begin to exercise because they
want to look healthy, because they need to have
stamina, and because they hope to live longer.
 PARALLELISM

How to Achieve Parallelism

1. When two or more ideas are parallel, they should be
expressed in parallel grammatical form, like;
 This novel is not to be tossed lightly aside, but to be
hurled with great force.
 In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of
taste, swim with the current.

The stories are interesting, exciting and those

fascinate me.
 The stories are interesting, exciting and fascinating
to/for me.
PARALLELISM

2. Balance parallel ideas linked with coordinating

conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet)
 You come to understand what to expect when you

tease a cat, or tossing a pebble in a pool, or touching

a hot stove.
 You come to understand what to expect when you
tease a cat, toss a pebble in a pool, or touch a hot
stove.
 You come to understand what to expect when you are
teasing a cat, tossing a pebble in a pool, or touching a
hot stove.
Theft, vandalism, and cheating can result in
suspension or even to be expelled from school.
 suspension to be balanced with expulsion
 PARALLELISM

 Hashim is responsible for stocking merchandise,

writing orders for delivery, and sales of computers.
 The word selling (computers) should replace sales.

5. Balance parallel ideas linked with correlating

conjunction (either – or, not only – but also…).
Make sure that the grammatical structure following
the first half of the pair is the same as that following
the second half;
Asad is not only a musician, but acting also
interests him.
 Asad is not only a musician but also an aspiring
actor.
PARALLELISM
 The shutters were not only too long but were also too
wide.
 …..but also too wide.
 I was advised either to change my flight or take the
train.
 …..or to take the train.

4. Balance comparisons linked with ‘than’ or ‘as’.

 It is easier to speak in abstractions than grounding
one’s thoughts in reality.
 (than to ground)

 Mother could not persuade him that giving is as much

joy as to receive.
 (as receiving)
?