Parallelism,

Redundancy, and Tenses

Parallelism. Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that
two or more ideas have the same level of importance.

Parallel structures include word, phrase, or clause patterns that are similar.
When ideas in a sentence or paragraph are similar, you can reinforce these
similarities in meaning through creating parallel structures.

He is honest, sincere, and hardworking. [Adjectives]
You need to work quickly and decisively. [Adverbs]
For exercise, I prefer swimming to calisthenics. [Nouns]
Nancy read a book while Joe watched television. [Verbs]
I dont want to live on in my work; I want to live on in my house. [Phrase]
He knew that it was a difficult task and that he had no time finish it. [clause]
This is not only just what I wanted but also just what I needed. [clause]

Effective parallelism creates symmetry in sentences and adds force to your
writing; it emphasizes the likeness between two or more ideas.

Redundancy. In language, redundancy is the use of duplicative, unnecessary, or
useless wording.


My late deceased father was a good man. [My late father was a good man.]

My future plans include a trip to Saigon. [My plans include a trip to Saigon.]

I have a free gift for you. [I have a gift for you.]

Can I ask a question? [Can I ask if]

The anonymous stranger donated PhP5, 000.00. [The stranger donated]

Please write a brief summary of this case. [Please write a summary ]

Tenses. Verb tense shows when the action happened.

Present Time: Present Tense, Present Progressive Tense.

The Present Tense shows present action, present condition, regularly
occurring action, and general fact. [She reads a book.]

The Present Progressive Tense shows long continuing action, short
continuing action, and continuing action. [I am reading a book.]

Past Time: Past Tense, Present Perfect Tense, Past Perfect Tense, Past
Progressive Tense, Present Perfect Progressive, and Past Perfect Progressive

The Past Tense shows completed action. [They took the exam.]
The Perfect Tense shows completed action [indefinite time], past action
continuing to the present. [They have antagonized us all day.]
The Past Perfect Tense shows an action or a condition completed before
another past action happened. [They had taken the exam before the bell rang.]
The Past Progressive shows a long continuing action in the past. [She was
going to Ateneo Law School that year.]
The Present Perfect Progressive shows a past action continuing to the
present. [Henry has been adding more stones to his collection.]
The Past Perfect Progressive Tense shows a past continuing action
interrupted by a past action. [He had been dreaming a victory until reality
became inescapable.]

Future Time: Future Tense, Future Perfect Tense, Future Progressive Tense,
and Future Perfect Progressive Tense

The Future Tense shows a future action. [I will run a mile.]
The Future Perfect Tense shows a future action completed before another
future action. [I will have run a mile before you arrive.]
Future Progressive Tense shows continuing future action. [Joe will be
studying all month.]
Future Perfect Progressive Tense shows continuous future action completed
before another future action. [Jim will have been painting for ten years before
he gives his exhibit.]