Parallelism

Many sentences we write have elements in them that are balanced with one another. A simple example is: Fred
likes ice cream and candy. Ice cream and candy are balanced the and serving as the center of this
grammatical seesaw. The rule of parallelism demands that the seesaw be balanced, that the grammatical
constructions on either end of the seesaw be the same. In this simple example two nouns balance one another. If,
however, I write, Fred likes to swim and candy, then I have an infinitive on one side and a noun on the other.
This new sentence is not parallel. When fixing problems in parallelism, we must choose which of the
grammatical constructions we want to maintain. This is a question of style since either choice will make a
grammatically correct sentence. This new sentence can be corrected to either - Fred likes to swim and to eat
candy - or to - Fred likes swimming and candy.
In this simple example I balanced nouns and brief infinitives and joined them with the coordinating conjunction
and. However, any two or more grammatical constructions can be parallel: words, phrases, subordinate clauses,
or main clauses. Moreover, these constructions can be joined not only by coordinating conjunctions but also by
correlative conjunctions, by conjunctive adverbs, or by punctuation. The trick is to be familiar with what any
balanced construction sounds like and to be sensitive to whether or not the elements are of the same type. What
follows are samples of correctly balanced parallel constructions. In each sentence I underline the conjunction
and italicize the balanced elements.

I.

Parallel Constructions using Coordinating Conjunctions:

A. Words:

Joe found the new jacket light yet firm.

B. Phrases:

Spencer was not fond of sleeping on the hard ground or of eating freeze dried dinners.

C. Subordinate Clauses:

Fred knew that Mabel was the best swimmer on the team and that Jason
didn't have a chance against her.

D. Main Clauses:

I was concerned about the weather; moreover, I was worried that the car
didn't have enough gas.

Parallel Constructions using Correlative Conjunctions:

II.

A. Words:

Joe found the new jacket not only light but also firm.

B. Phrases:

Spencer was fond neither of sleeping on the hard ground nor of eating freeze dried
dinners.

C. Subordinate Clauses:

Fred knew both that Mabel was the best swimmer and that Jason didn't
have a chance against her.

D. Main Clauses:

Either you do something about the backlog or I will be forced to take

matters into my own hands.

III.

Parallel Constructions using Punctuation: Semicolons can be used to balance main

clauses closely associated with one another.

George liked hunting with a rifle; Fred liked hunting with a bow.
Napoleon had his Waterloo; I, my grammar test.
[Note that in this construction the comma stands in for the verb. The reader knows that the verb of the first
clause is the verb of the second.]

Two Final Notes:

The most common parallelism error is not completing the second construction. Too often we write
sentences such as: Fred likes to run and dance. That sentence ought to be: Fred likes to run and to dance.

Parallelism demands consistency in the pronouns and in the verbs of balanced constructions. Don't
write, "As we neared the airport, you could hear the jets." Choose either we or you, but be consistent.
The same ideas holds for verbs. Don't write, "Fred wanted a hot dog, but the last one was had by Joe."
Keep the verbs consistent. Make it, "Fred wanted a hot dog, but Joe had the last one." [Of course, you
know you should use passive verbs rarely.]

Quiz

1. Fill in the blank: Elements that can be parallel include words, phrases, subordinate clauses, and _________
clauses.
A. subjective
B. infinitive
C. main
2. A very common error is that the second element is not A. in agreement.
B. complete.
3."To write an essay is harder than taking an examination."

A. This sentence is correct.

B. This sentence has a parallelism error.
4. "Honesty, in my eyes, means being truthful about everything to everyone, including and primarily,
myself."
A. This sentence is correct.
B. This sentence has a parallelism error.
5. "Lady Macbeth's speeches in I.v. show her concern about the weaknesses that lie within Macbeth and

how they could prevent him from achieving his goals."

A. This sentence is correct.
B. This sentence has a parallelism error.
6. Find the error: The officer feared thata the new training regimenb was too much for the raw recruits and
thatc the result would be a rash of injuriesd.No Errore
A. B. C. D. E.
7. Find the error: Frederick adoreda all the Impressionist paintings he sawb in the museum and howc they
captured the effects of light on their subjectsd. No Error.e
A. B. C. D. E.

8. How could one correct: "You should either study hard over a long period or try cramming all the

information into your head in the last few hours. "

A. or try cramming all the information into your head in the last few hours.
B. or cram all the information into your head in the last few hours.
C. or attempt to cram all the information into your head in the last few hours.
D. or into your head in the last few hours try cramming all the information.
E. or you should cram all the information into your head in the last few hours.
9. How could one correct: "After the surgery, Henry was able to talk again although not being able to
shout as he had in the past."
A. although not being able
B. but without the ability
C. even though being unable
D. although he was not able
E. although his not being able
10. "The students rushed to finish the examination, but the test was completed first by Fred."

A. This sentence is correct.

B. This is a parallelism error.
0

Quiz time
Directions: Read the following sentences. If the sentence is correct, don't change anything. If
the sentence is incorrect, find the parallel structure problem and fix it.
1. The factory workers were ready, able, and were quite determined to do a great job.
2. The computer network is safer, stronger, and more secure.
3. We cannot be worried or terrified of difficulties in life.
4. The actor taught his student how to read, how to stand, how to cry, and to talk with fans.
5. The requirements for a chemistry degree are not as strict as a medical degree.
6. Either you can join the army or the navy.
7. The reorganization of the company is neither simple nor it will be cheap.
8. When I was in high school, I learned piano and how to play the guitar.
9. Fred supports the idea because, first, its simplicity; second, it is unique.
10. They are either our friends or they are not.
ANSWERS ARE IN RED.
1. The factory workers were ready, able, and were quite determined to do a great job.
The factory workers were ready, able, and determined to do a great job.
2. The computer network is safer, stronger, and more secure.
NO CHANGE. This sentence is correct. All items in the list are comparative adjectives. Safer and stronger use -er, but secure uses
more.
3. We cannot be worried or terrified of the difficulties in life.
We cannot be worried about or terrified of the difficulties in life.
4. The actor taught his student how to read, how to stand, how to cry, and to talk with fans.

The actor taught his student how to read, how to stand, how to cry, and how to talk with fans.
5. The requirements for a chemistry degree are not as strict as a medical degree.
The requirements for a chemistry degree are not as strict as the requirements for a medical degree.
The requirements for a chemistry degree are not as strict as those for a medical degree. (Those refers to the
requirements)
6. Either you can join the army or the navy.
You can join either the army or the navy.
7. The reorganization of the company is neither simple nor it will be cheap.
The reorganization of the company is neither simple nor cheap.
8. When I was in high school, I learned piano and how to play the guitar.
When I was in high school, I learned how to play the piano and guitar.
9. Fred supports the idea because, first, its simplicity; second, it is unique.
Fred supports the idea because, first, it is simple; second, it is unique.
10. They are either our friends or they are not.
They are either our friends or our enemies.