PARALLELISM

Parallelism
• is a balance within one or more sentences
that have the same grammatical structure.
• is the use of language structure that are
similar in form (like word to word, phrase to
phrase, clause to clause and so on)
• is the repetition of a chosen grammatical
form within a sentence.
 Parallelism in Writing
• 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:
– Parts of a sentence
– Headings in a report
– Items in a resume
– Bulleted lists
 Importance of Parallelism
In writing a thesis statement, the three
reasons have to be summarized in parallel
form.

Tobacco should be outlawed

because it endangers everyone’s health,
pollutes the environment, and drains us
of valuable energy.
 Using Parallel Structure
With Coordinating Conjunctions
– When you connect two or more clauses or phrases
with a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or,
yet, or so), use parallel structure.

Faulty Parallelism: Good writing requires you

to plan outlines, write several drafts, and
revision.
Parallel: Good writing requires you to plan
outlines, write several drafts, and revise
reports.
An accounting technician should have a provision of
services to clients like administering payrolls,
liaising with managerial staff, colleagues and
clients and arranging payments for invoices.

Parallel: An accounting technician should

provide services to clients like administering
payrolls liaising with managerial staff, colleagues
and clients and arranging payments for invoices.
Faulty Parallelism :The housekeeper
looked inside the drawers, the bookcase,
and under the recliner.

Parallel:The housekeeper looked inside

the drawers, on top of the bookcase, and
under the recliner.
With Phrases or Clauses of Comparison
– When you connect two clauses or phrases with
a word of comparison, such as than or as, use
parallel structure.

Faulty Parallelism: I would rather pay for

my education than be getting financial aid.

Parallel: I would rather pay for my

education than receive financial aid.
Faulty Parallelism: The technical writer is
more inclined in improving the manuscript
than to organize the graphics of the report.

Parallel: The technical writer is more

inclined in improving the manuscript than
organizing the graphics of the report.
With Lists
When you are comparing items in a list or in
a series, use parallel structure.
Faulty Parallelism: This task can be done
individually, in pairs, or can be done in
groups of four.

Parallel: This task can be done individually,

in pairs, or in groups of four.
Some helpful hints on how to revise
sentences for parallel structure:

• Figure out what parts of the sentence are being

compared.
• Decide whether they are parallel, i.e. arranged
or constructed in the same way.
• If they are not, make them parallel by making the
grammatical construction the same in each part.
 Words, Phrases and Clauses
When talking to the group, he spoke sincerely
and with passion.
When talking to the group, he spoke sincerely
and passionately.

When talking to the group, he spoke with

sincerity and passion.
 Direction:Establish parallelism between or among
the structures in the following sentences.
1. He is a man of great capability but his experience is little.

2. This report is designed not only to present a list of the

problems facing us but also it recommended possible
solutions to these problems.

3. University students use the Internet to research essay topics,

business people use it to hold video conferences and it is used
by teachers to deliver homework assignments.

4. The salesman expected that he would present his product at

the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide
presentation, and that questions would be asked by
prospective buyers.
5. I was eager to attend the seminar; moreover, the exchange of
ideas would be helpful.
Direction:Establish parallelism between or among
the structures in the following sentences.
1. 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.

Answer: 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.

2. The dictionary can be used to find these: word

meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking
up irregular verbs.
Answer: The dictionary can be used to find these: word
meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular
verbs.
University students use the Internet to
research essay topics, business people
use it to hold video conferences and it is
used by teachers to deliver homework
assignments.
University students use the Internet to
research essay topics, business people
use it to hold video conferences and
teachers use it to deliver homework
assignments.
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 his
motivation was low.
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.
3. The salesman expected that he would
present his product at the meeting, that there
would be time for him to show his slide
presentation, and that questions would be
asked by prospective buyers.
Answer: The salesman expected that he would
present his product at the meeting, that there
would be time for him to show his slide
presentation, and that prospective buyers would
ask him questions .