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
On the Evolution of Language: First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 1-16