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PARALLELISM

DEFINITION

Parallelism is the use of components in a sentence


that are grammatically the same; or similar in their
construction, sound, or meaning.
Parallelism examples are found in literary works as
well as in ordinary conversations.
This method adds balance and rhythm to sentences
giving ideas a smoother flow and thus can be
persuasive because of the repetition it employs.
EXAMPLES

Alice ran into the room, into the garden, and


into our hearts.
We see the repetition of a phrase that not only
gives the sentence a balance but rhythm and flow
as well.
This repetition can also occur in similar
structured clauses e.g. Whenever you need me,
wherever you need me, I will be there for you.
EXAMPLES

Common Examples of Parallelism


Like father, like son.
The escaped prisoner was wanted dead or alive.
Easy come, easy go.
Whether in class, at work or at home, Shasta was
always busy.
Flying is fast, comfortable, and safe.
EXPLANATION

Sentence elements that are alike in function


should also be alike in construction. These
elements should be in the same grammatical
form so that they are parallel.
Using parallel structure in your writing will help with
1) economy 2) clarity 3) equality
4) delight.
PARALLEL ELEMENTS
FAULTY PARALLEN ELEMENTS
EXAMPLE OF PARALLEL WORDS

1. With elements joined by


coordinating conjunctions, especially and, but, and
or.
EXAMPLE OF PARALLEL PHRASES
EXAMPLES OF PARALLEL CLAUSES
HOW TO REPAIR FAULT PARALLELISM

Example #1
EXAMPLE#2
PARALLEL STRUCTURE IN SERIES

2. . Use parallel structure with elements in


lists or in a series.
A series is a group of three or more elements in a
row. The last element in the series is connected to
the others with one of these coordinating
conjunctions: and, or, but (not), or yet (not).
Commas should be placed between each element in
the series and before the coordinating
conjunction.
EXAMPLES OF SERIES
MORE EXAMPLES:SERIES
MORE EXAMPLES:SERIES
PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH ELEMENTS BEING
COMPARED

3. Use parallel structure with elements being


compared. (X is more than / better than Y)
When we compare things, we often use words such as
more, less, better, and worse.
We connect the items being compared with words
like as and than.
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE:EXPLANATION

The elements being compared are parallel to one


another:
driving is parallel to flying
Miriam's ability to is parallel to her resolve to
How you live is parallel to how much money you
make
Comparing items without using parallel
structure may cause confusion about what is being
compared to what.
HOW TO REPAIR FAULT PARALLELISM IN
COMPARISON?

Repair faulty parallelism in comparisons by


making one element of the comparison parallel to
the other.
PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH LINKING VERBS OR
VERBS OF BEING

Repair faulty parallelism with linking verbs or verbs


of being by making one element of the equation
parallel to the other.
PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH ELEMENTS JOINED BY
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION

These are the major correlative conjunctions:


either / or neither / nor
both / and not only / but also

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs.


Whatever grammatical structure follows one must
be parallel to the grammatical structure that
follows the other.
Examples with either / or and neither / nor
Examples with both / and
Examples with not only / but also
EXAMPLE OF FAULTY PARALLELISM WITH
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION:EITHER/OR
EXAMPLE OF FAULTY PARALLELISM WITH
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION:NEITHER/NOR
EXAMPLE OF FAULTY PARALLELISM WITH
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION:BOTH/AND
EXAMPLE OF FAULTY PARALLELISM WITH
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION:NOT ONLY/BUT ALSO

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