Parallel structure can be defined as the repetition of the same grammatical structures within a sentence to create equal grammatical value. travel abroad, or earn a leadership role in a student organization. The problematic wording in these examples is highlighted in italics. For example, if one is a verb, they should all be verbs of the same tense, or if one is a noun, they all should be nouns. The use of 'ing' in the word 'swimming' does not match the other verb forms in the sentence. The same patterns and parts of speech will be repeated to show that two or more ideas within the sentence have the same level of importance. For, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so (the mnemonic for this is FANBOYS) are all coordinating conjunctions. The examples below mix tenses. 4. Here are some examples of elements that are not parallel: Using parallel structure has several benefits: Not Parallel: Participants in the workshop learned how to negotiate, communicate, and working collaboratively. 1. In parallel structure, sentences have a series of phrases or clauses, which start and end in almost a similar fashion, by keeping the rhythm of the lines. They have a Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University, a Master of Arts in Human Factors Psychology from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Flagler College. Choosing Between Infinitive and Gerund: To do or doing? The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game. In the non-parallel structure, there are two gerunds acting as nouns and one infinitive (to read), which makes the sentence awkward and harder to process. Remember that conjunctions are words like 'and,' 'or,' 'but,' 'yet' and 'so' that connect two parts of a sentence. Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. The wordscappedandzippedare both classified as simple past tense verbs, but because the phrasewere closingis a past progressive, the example cannot be defined as a parallel structure. As great as it is to see parallelism reflected in literature, speeches, and poetry, youre here because you create content and you want to create better content. but we refer to it as "home". 2. As an essential component of sentence construction, understandingwhat a parallel structure is and how it is applied is extremely important. Also know as parallelism, using parallel structure creates a common grammatical pattern throughout a sentence. Parallel: Taylor criticizes public schools as they are compulsory, government-funded, and normalizing. Notice that the first three sentences, which start in a similar way, while the next phrases follow another, similarstructure. You either had a flashback to daydreaming at your crappy little desk in English class or you flew through your brain files in a frenzy to try and remember the definition of parallel structure and youre here because youre at a loss. ', 'Joseph bought a jacket. Now you create a worksheet that another student could use to practice his/her understanding of parallel structure. I feel like its a lifeline. In the non-parallel structure, there are two gerunds acting as nouns and one infinitive (to read), which makes the sentence awkward and harder to process. A lack of parallel structure creates a clunky user experience because the messaging is disjointed. Reading aloud is an effective strategy to identify any errors that may exist with your parallel structure. Take a look at the example below. Parallel structure creates fluency in writing and enhances readability, as it uses patterns of words in a way that readers caneasily follow, and relate them to each other. To create a parallel structure or parallelism, use the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas (words, phrases, or clauses) have the same importance. All three verbs in this sentence are in the same tense, or form. We can go deep into the psychology of content marketing, analyzing our content through the lens of buyer personas or buyer stages. Megan_Mayte. A mismatch in parts of speech can also cause a lack of parallel structure. The author has combined several elements, but given them a balance by parallel clauses. To see a parallel structure example that worked to win featured snippets, check out this ClearVoice piece,10 Types of Content Writers and When to Use Them. 2. Not Parallel: I enjoy neither exercise or playing video games. world -- whatever you want that world to look like. Parallel: I have to eat breakfast quickly and efficiently so I can get to class on time. In doing so, it also shows that the ideas written in a sentence or paragraph are all of equal importance. Every morning, we make our bed, eat breakfast and feed the dog. Coordinating conjunctions are used to combine two or more words, phrases, or clauses. Parallel structure means presenting ideas that are similar in content or function using a similar grammatical form. Parallel: To succeed is to get new opportunities. Review the following examples: Not Parallel: Mary likes hiking, to swim, and biking.Parallel with ing: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and biking.Parallel with the infinitive: Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to bike.OR Mary likes to hike, swim, and bike.Clauses A parallel structure that begins with a clause must keep using clauses. Often, matching verb tenses, nouns, and conjunctions will lead you to a more parallel construction. 'If you can't fly, then run. While theorists have supported the notion that instruction embedded in sensory-filled, brain-based and hands-on activities, classrooms remain unchanged in many, if not most interactions. ** How did life improve for ordinary people during the Sung dynasty? Not parallel: The tribes emphasized mutual aid, collective survival, and being responsible for each other. The problematic areas are italicized below. - Contact Us - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions, Definition and Examples of Literary Terms. For example, the first sentence below illustrates a lack of parallelism with one list item, "racial," being an adjective and the rest nouns. The bold words indicate that parallel construction is used correctly. Northern offers its 7,600 students an abundance of opportunities to explore their interests You can see how perfectly the author has applied the essenceof parallelism in this excerpt, especially in the first two lines. This helps writers clearly communicate ideas and makes the writing sound formal and elegant. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Marquette, MI 49855-5301 She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain. You may also check outpreposition sentences examples. When nouns are used in a sentence to share two or more ideas, it is important to pay attention to the continuity of the same part of speech and the noun number. You create a lot of content, right? (passive). I take a multi-faceted approach to helping others recognize their own true power and flourish in their lives. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. Parallel structure, also called parallel construction, is the repetition of a grammatical form within a sentence. The following activities are a part of our daily chores: running errands, cooking lunch, and cleaning the house. Hannahis responsible for stocking merchandise, taking orders for delivery, and giving out vouchers around the block. Lets take a deeper look into how parallel structures are formed: This happens when you connect two or more clauses or phrases with the coordinating conjunctionsfor, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so.. Incorrect Parallel Structure: The book she read was well-written (adjective), interesting (adjective), and a novel (noun). Sure, your writing is better when you use parallel structure. I had been short, and now I was tall. Parallel: Sharon likes reading, writing, and eating. You may also seecompound sentences examples. Not Parallel: Esther said she would rather pay for her education than financial aid. 1. See why parallel structure is a useful technique. Sentences are made up of words and phrases thathelp convey a given thought. Expand or Collapse to view popular links for this site, Expand or Collapse to view links grouped by top level headings, Center Contact Information Writing Center Facebook, Center Contact Information Writing Center Instagram, Center Contact Information Writing Center YouTube, Research & reference organizational tools, William N. Pennington Student Achievement Center. banks4dmiyah. The dictionary can be used to find these: word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs. Also know as parallelism, using parallel structure creates a common grammatical pattern throughout a sentence. For example, if there is a series of verbs, are they all in same tense? Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to connect words, phrases, or clauses. 11 terms. Therefore, a parallel structure, otherwise known as parallelism, is a stylistic device used to increase the readability of ones writing by creating a word pattern that readers can easily follow. The above paragraph shows parallel structures. This handout describes and provides examples of parallel structure (similar patterns of words). Theres something about messing up parallel structure that really messes with the readers head youre welcome. All Rights Reserved. By lessening our dependance on them and by freeing ourselves of our own vices, we increase our resilience and are able to weather any storm. Not Parallel: My dog neither likes to play fetch, nor chase cars. You may also likehow to write short sentences. Parallel: Although she promised to, my best friend did not take me to a dance or a show. You may also like. Parallel structure is a writing technique that uses word patterns to demonstrate equal importance of two or more similar items or ideas. Figure out which parts of speech are being compared, and check for continuity. Note for Purdue Students: Schedule a consultation at the on-campus writing lab to get more in-depth writing help from one of our tutors. Parallel: David liked diving better than swimming. 4. Parallel: Taylor criticizes public schools as they require students to attend, receive money from the government, and destroy students humanity. Mixing and repeating prepositions (with, to, of, over, under, by). 20 chapters | A parallel structure can be used in a variety of ways. If you can't run, then walk. Should the students use pens or a pencil? Coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so) Our customers can leave reviews on Google or Facebook. Whenever you make a list of items or actions in a sentence, using equal grammatical units is crucial. The teacher told the students that they need to get up early in the morning, that they need to sleep properly, and that they need to eat properly. Parallel construction is all about mastering patterns, so it helps to understand the different types of parallel structure and a few things to avoid. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Use parallel structure to join two or more elements with a linking verb, where the first item is completed by the second one. Not Parallel:My little brothernot only likes to play catch, but also chase frogs.Parallel:My little brothernot only likes to play catch, but he also likes to chase frogs. Ritas chores include dusting, taking out the trash, and feeding the dog. The errors in the following examples are italicized. Use parallel structure with elements in a series or list. And how does it work? To create parallel structure, the verb was changed to a noun. Explore our website and see all that NMU has to offer. The terms that indicate parallel structure are marked in bold. Not Parallel: Sharon likes to read, write, and eating. To win featured snippets for specific search terms, bulleted or numbered lists are a popular content creation tactic. Parallel structure (peh-ruh-LEL STRUHK-churr) is a synonym for parallelism: a grammatical and rhetorical term for creating a sense of linguistic balance by repeating elements within a sentence, over the course of several sentences, or in a longer work or speech.. Dangling Modifier Key Terms & Examples | What is a Dangling Modifier? Match nouns, verb tenses, and conjunctions to form a parallel construction. A man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints, and stung by nettles, and torn by briars and glared and growled; and whose teeth chattered in his head as he seized me by the chin.. 3. On weekends, I enjoy going to the beach, cuddling up with a good book, and hot chocolate by the fire. To revise this sentence and create parallel structure, all verbs are changed to gerunds which creates a repetition of the same verb tense. The best way to complete an essay is to research a topic thoroughly, writing clearly, edit properly, and proof-reading when finished. Fact checked:Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height Parallel structure provides balance and clarity. From our brand new residence halls to our groundbreaking Parallel structure should be used with infinitives. All rights reserved. An error occurred trying to load this video. 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. Surfing, skateboarding and require good balance. If not, make them parallel. Parallel verbs means that the same verb tense is used when verbs are used in a sentence to share two or more equally important ideas. 2. Not Parallel: Her company and what its potential is are irrelevant to me. I searched in my bag, on the table, and. A fearful man, all in coarse grey, with a great iron on his leg. Indefinite Pronouns Examples & List | What is an Indefinite Pronoun? The Future of Freelancing , Your Content Distribution Needs a Checklist, He, 100 Blog Content Ideas For Your 2023 Calendar, What is Guest Blogging? This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. 2. How to use parallel structure in a sentence? Avoid mixing the verbs when the series consists of several forms of a verb. It is similar to parallelism . The world's best online resource for learning English. In addition, parallel structures synchronize, repeat and emphasize the words and thoughts of the writers. Skim your paper for the words "and" and "or." He went to the store, the bank, and for a run. Bouncing around with positive and negative statements. Skim your paper, pausing at the words "and" and "or." Britt is also the author of four novels and she is the host ofLove Your Enthusiasm, a podcastthat inspires people to follow their greatest passion. The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that he would have time to show his slide presentation, and that prospective buyers would ask him questions. Using parallel structure improves the readability of a sentence. Take note from these parallel structure examples from content marketers who are using this technique to make their content more powerful and precise. He was both angry and. Copyright 2023 George Mason University. In these examples, the clauses do not illustrate parallel construction. Not Parallel: My shopping list for the party includes: balloons, dessert, streamers, and chips. If you can't run, then walk. By creating word patterns that are easily understood, you decrease the friction between your message and your audience. It landed snippets for several keyword phrases. Not Parallel: My professor told me that I needed to write a paper by Friday, I should study for my quiz on Tuesday, and to do my homework. The words that should be parallel but aren't are shown in italics here. Using a parallel structure can help add clout and clarity to ones writing in the best way possible. Parallel structure should be used when you connect clauses with a coordinating conjunction such as: for, and, nor, or, but, so, or yet in a sentence. The use of different verb tenses, a difference in noun numbers, mismatched parts of speech, and an imbalance of clauses to words all created confusion in these sentences. In this exercise, you will evaluate examples of proper and improper use of parallel structure and then you will create your own examples. Not Parallel: Her shopping list for the party included: balloons, dessert, streamers, and chips. Also important is whats happening on the surface the words on the page. Here are some examples of parallel structure: Prepositional phrases: At the time/in the yard, Subordinate clause: Because I care/after they met. NMU is an equal opportunity institution. Remember that parallel structure will exist if you are including a list of actions or items. These items should maintain the same part of speech. Understanding parallel structure in English can help your TOEFL score. Parallel structure is also used with correlative conjunctions, such as either or, neither nor, not only but also. Parallelism is the repetition of the same grammatical structures within a sentence to create equal grammatical value. Not Parallel: Ben not only wants fame but also money. Use parallel structure to connect two phrases or clauses with a word of comparison like than or as. Parallel structure creates balance in a sentence by using the same patterns and parts of speech when two or more ideas have the same level of importance. Faulty Parallelism Structure & Examples | What is Faulty Parallelism? It was Sally Baldwin who brought me along, told me what to wear and do and think and say. Repeat words instead of repeating patterns. Language and Style: Parallel Structure Parallel structure is the repetition of a pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to signify that two or more events or ideas have the same level of importance. Words and phrasesWords and phrases can be joined with either the ing form (called a gerund) or the infinitive form. Parallel: When nouns are used in a sentence to share two or more ideas, it is important to pay attention to the continuity of the same part of speech and the noun number. Parallel structure provides flow in a sentence. The problematic wording is italicized. Use parallel structure with elements that are joined by coordinating conjunctions. A parallel structure that begins with clauses must keep on with clauses. Or do you hear a rhythm being repeated? All Rights Reserved. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Northern has a distinctive sense of place some refer to it as the upper hand, You may also see. Parallel: Participants in the workshop learned how to negotiate, communicate, and work collaboratively. Not only can this add clarity to our statements, but it can also make our words a lot easier to understand. 3. Not Parallel:I drank some orange juice and was kissing my parents goodbye before I ran out the door.Parallel:I drank some orange juice and kissed my parents goodbye before I ran out the door. She was intelligent, engaging, and articulate. A man with no hat, and with broken shoes, and with an old rag tied round his head. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. Parallel structure should be used when writing clauses. So in this article, we take on the basics of parallel structures along with a few examples onhow they are used in literature and everyday speech. Privacy Policy. - Definition & Examples, Basics of Writing Essays in 11th Grade: Help and Review, Reading and Understanding Essays in 11th Grade: Help and Review, Using Source Materials - 11th Grade English: Help and Review, Conventions in 11th Grade Writing - Usage: Help and Review, Elements of 11th Grade Grammar: Help and Review, 11th Grade Grammar Usage: Help and Review, Punctuation in 11th Grade Writing: Help and Review, EPT: CSU English Language Arts Placement Exam, AP English Language: Homework Help Resource, Common Core ELA Grade 8 - Writing: Standards, CAHSEE English Exam: Test Prep & Study Guide, Common Core ELA Grade 8 - Language: Standards, Common Core ELA Grade 8 - Literature: Standards, Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading (5713) Prep, Parallelism: How to Write and Identify Parallel Sentences, What is Faulty Parallelism? What is parallel structure (or parallelism)? This creates a smooth flow to the sentence as opposed to the one below, which is lacking in parallel structure. A change in verb tense often happens when a shift is made from using a gerund to using an infinitive. Parallel: I like to paint, jog, cook, and watch movies. One common mistake that occurs with parallel structure is when a different verb tense is used to communicate the elements that are being shared. Changing to another pattern or changing the form of the verb with break the parallelism.Not Parallel: 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.Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.ORParallel: 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. Transcribed image text: Which of the following structures senses vertical movements, like . That being said, here are some everyday examples of a parallel structure: As much as we use parallel structures during everyday conversations, many literary writers use parallel structures to deliver their ideas in a way that readers could fully grasp as well. 1. 3. Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle. Parallel: To succeed is to get new opportunities. Parallel structure helps keep your writing balanced and makes it easier to understand. Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. That bulleted list you just read? - Examples, Definition & Types, Synecdoche vs. Metonymy: Definitions & Examples, Cliches, Paradoxes & Equivocations: Definitions & Examples, Similes in Literature: Definition and Examples, Personification and Apostrophe: Differences & Examples, Allusion and Illusion: Definitions and Examples, What Are Literary Motifs? I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. 3. My dog likes to run, jump, and dig holes. Jarring your audience is the last thing you want with content,so avoid these misstepswith parallelism mechanics. Maintaining parallelism helps writers avoid grammatically incorrect sentences. Parallel structure exists when the elements within a sentence match and have equal grammatical value. Learn more about our Privacy Statement and Cookie Policy. You can see how perfectly the author has repeated and emphasized the first two lines in the above paragraph. Jo also used the free weights. All elements are described in the same grammatical context, making the message easier to read and understand. Parallel structure creates a sense of logic and rhythm that can increase the power, persuasiveness, and readability of your writing. In writing, elements must have equal grammatical value to be considered parallel. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. If you can't walk, then crawl. I had been skinny and quiet and religious, and now I was good-looking and muscular. Parallel structure (also called parallelism or parallel construction) is when you use the same way of describing several things in a list.