Parallelism

What is parallelism?

Parallelism means that similar parts of a

sentence have the same structure: nouns are
with nouns, verbs with verbs, and phrases
with phrases.
The usage of similar grammatical construction
to express similar content and theme
Similar constructions should follow each of a
pair of correlative conjunctions: both/and,
either/or, neither/nor, whether/or, not only/ but
also.

Jack is responsible for loading the

trunk, cleaning the seat
cushions, and the engine check.
Jack is responsible for loading the
trunk, cleaning the seat
cushions, and checking the
engine.

Parallel construction 1
An article or preposition applying to
all members of a series must either be
used only before the first term or else
be repeated before each term.
Incorrect: One can visit Tokyo in
spring, summer or in winter.
Correct: One can visit Tokyo in spring,
in summer or in winter./ One can visit
Tokyo in spring, summer or winter.

Parallel construction 2
Correlative expression (both, and;
not, but; not only, but also; either, or
etc) should be followed by same
grammatical construction.
Incorrect: It was both a long
ceremony and tedious.
Correct: The ceremony was both long
and tedious.

Parallel construction 3
When making comparisons, the things
you compare should be couched with
parallel structures whenever that is
possible and appropriate.
Incorrect: Our model is more
predictable than Scott.
Correct: Our model is more predictable
than Scotts.

Parallel construction 4
Use the ing form(gerund) of words
in a sentence to make your idea
understandable.
Incorrect: Mary likes hiking,
swimming, and to bicycle.
Correct: Mary likes hiking, swimming,
and bicycling.

Parallel construction 5
With compound subjects, the
individual subjects should have the
same form.
Incorrect: Augite in large phenocrysts
and small grain of Olivine are common
in the lava.
Correct: Large augite in phenocrysts
and small grain of Olivine are common
in the lava.

Parallel construction 6
Use of infinitive phrases:
Incorrect: Mary likes to hike, to swim,
and bicycling.
Correct: Mary likes to hike, to
swim, and to bicycle.

Parallel construction 7

A parallel structure that begins with clauses

must keep on with clauses. Changing to
another pattern or changing the voice of the
verb will break the parallelism.

Incorrect: The salesman expected that he would

present his product at the meeting, that there would
be time for him to show his presentation, and that
questions would be asked by the prospective
buyers.
Correct: The salesman expected that he would present
his product at the meeting, that there would be time
for him to show his presentation, and the prospective
buyers would ask him questions.

1. Choose the correct answer

to fill in the
blank.
Ellas job responsibilities include
____, training, and informing
workers of company policies.
A) to hire
B) hired
C) hire
D) none of the above

2. Choose the correct answer

to fill in the blank.
Henry likes pizza more than
_______.
A) spinach
B) to eat spinach
C) to be eating spinach
D) none of the above

3. Choose the correct answer

to fill in the blank.
He drove to the store to buy milk,
eggs, and _______.
A) to get bread
B) bread
C) getting bread
D) none of the above

4. Choose the correct answer

to fill in the blank.
Tom jogs, swims, and _________.
A) he is kick boxing
B) kicks boxes
C) he kick boxes
D) none of the above

5. Choose the correct answer

to fill in the blank.
The film had many stars, used various
special
effects, and ________.
A) violence
B) featured graphic violence
C) it was violent
D) none of the above

6. Choose the correct answer

to fill in the blank.
I think that learning a new language
is harder than _______.
A) math
B) to learn math
C) learning math
D) none of the above

7. Choose the correct answer

to fill in the blank.
For some very shy people, giving a
speech
can be as frightening as
_________.
A) having a serious illness
B) illness
C) to have an illness
D) none of the above

8. Choose the correct answer

to fill in the blank.
Id rather be lucky or
hardworking than
________.
A) to have talent
B) having talent
C) talented
D) none of the above

9. Choose the correct answer

to fill in the blank.
That football team has both a
good offense and _________.
A) it has a good defense
B) a good defense
C) having a good defense
D) none of the above

10. Choose the correct answer

to fill in
the blank.
Bob is not only loyal to friends but
also ________.
A) he is friendly to strangers
B) to be friendly to strangers
C) friendly to strangers
D) none of the above