Parallel

Structure

Important Key Terms You might

want to copy these
Syntax:
Sentence Structure;
the arrangement of
words and the
Syntax: Sentence
Structure; the
arrangement of
words and the

Parallel structure
means using the same
pattern of words to
show that two or more
ideas have the same
level of importance.
This can happen at the
word, phrase, or clause
level. The usual way to
join parallel structures

Important Key Terms You might

want to copy these
Clause:
A group of words that has both
a subject and predicate. An
Independent clause can stand
on its own as a sentence. A
Dependent clause cannot.
order of grammatical elements
in a sentence.

Predicate:
The part of a sentence
or clause containing a
verb and stating
something about the
subject.

Phrase:
A group of words that has both
a subject and predicate. An
Independent clause can stand

Example: Went home

Predicate sentence:

Parallel Structure Video

Parallel structure means using

the same pattern of words to
show that two or more ideas
have the same level of
importance. This can happen at
the word, phrase, or clause
level. The usual way to join
parallel structures is with the

Words and Phrases

With the -ing form (gerund) of words:
Parallel:
Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling.
With infinitive phrases:
Parallel:
Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle.
OR
Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle.
(Note: You can use "to" before all the verbs in a sentence or only before
the first one.)

Do not mix forms.

Example 1

Not Parallel:
Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.

Parallel:
Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.

Example 2
Not Parallel:
The production manager was asked to write his report quickly,
accurate ly, and in a detailed manner.
Parallel:
The production manager was asked to write his report quickly,
accurately, and thoroughly.

Example 3

Not Parallel:
The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for
the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and his motivation was low.

Parallel:
The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for
the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and lacked motivation.

Clauses
A parallel structure that begins
with clauses must keep on with
clauses. Changing to another
pattern or changing the voice of
the verb (from active to passive
or vice versa) will break the

Example 1

Not Parallel:
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too
much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.

Parallel:
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too
much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.
or

Parallel:
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, noteat too much, and do some
warm-up exercises before the game.

Example 2

Not Parallel:
The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would
be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that questions would be asked by
prospective buyers. (passive)

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

Lists After a Colon

Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form.

Example 1
Not Parallel:
The dictionary can be used to find these: word meanings,pronunciations, correct spellings,
and looking up irregular verbs.

Parallel:
The dictionary can be used to find these: word meanings,pronunciations, correct spellings,
and irregular verbs.

Proofreading Strategies to Try:

Skim your paper, pausing at the words "and" and "or." Check on
each side of these words to see whether the items joined are
parallel. If not, make them parallel.
If you have several items in a list, put them in a column to see if
they are parallel.
Listen to the sound of the items in a list or the items being
compared. Do you hear the same kinds of sounds? For example,
is there a series of "-ing" words beginning each item? Or do
your hear a rhythm being repeated? If something is breaking
that rhythm or repetition of sound, check to see if it needs to be
made parallel.

Gettysburg Address By Abraham Lincoln

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation,
conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived
and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come
to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that
that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this
ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our
poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here,
but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to
the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for
us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before usthat from these honored dead we
take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion
that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vainthat this nation, under
God, shall have a new birth of freedomand that government of the people, by the people, for
the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Gettysburg Address Examples of Parallel Struct

ure

Anaphora Definition:
In writing or speech, the deliberate repetition of the first part of the
sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect is known as Anaphora
It is common for us to use anaphora in our everyday speech to lay
emphasis on the idea we want to convey or for self affirmation. Read the
following anaphora examples:
Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better
My life is my purpose. My life is my goal. My life is my inspiration.
Buying nappies for the baby, feeding the baby, playing with the baby:
This is what your life is when you have a baby.
I want my money right now, right here, all right?
.

Functions of Anaphora
Apart from the function of giving prominence to ideas,
the use of anaphora in literature adds rhythm to it and
thus, making it more pleasurable to read and easier to
remember. As a literary device, anaphora serves the
purpose of furnishing artistic effect to the passages of
prose and poetry.
As a rhetorical device, it is used to appeal to the
emotions of the audience in order to persuade, inspire,
motivate and encourage them.

In traditional grammar, faulty parallelism is a construction in

which two or more parts of a sentence are roughly equivalent in
meaning but not parallel (or grammatically similar) in form.

Parallel structure will help improve the clarity and efficiency of your writing. All of the items in
a series should use the same form, regardless of whether or not they are words, phrases, or
clauses. This cartoon, from Grammar Comics: Sentence Problems, helps explain the various
problems that can result with parallel structure.
Incorrect: Chloe is cute, intelligent, and knows a lot of good jokes.
Cute and intelligent are both adjectives. Knows is a verb. Therefore, to revise this sentence to
improve the parallel structure you would write:
Chloe is cute, intelligent, and funny.
Or, you could do this:
Chloe has a terrific smile, a well-developed intelligence, and a good sense of humor.
But you dont want to do this:
Incorrect: Chloe has a terrific smile, intelligence, and a good sense of humor.
Notice that the only part of the series without an a is intelligence. If each of the other two parts
begins with a, then the third part must as well.

Avoid mixing verb forms as well:

Incorrect: Chloe likes playing tennis, watching movies, or
to ride her bike.
Correct: Chloe likes to play tennis, to watch movies, or
to ride her bike.
Or: Chloe likes to play tennis, watch movies, or ride her
bike.
Be careful with long phrases as well:
Incorrect: Mr. Hernandez told his students that they
should do their homework, that they study for their
vocabulary test, and to read some articles.
Correct: Mr. Hernandez told his students that they
should do their homework, study for their vocabulary
test, and read some articles.
Parallel structure is just one of many grammar pet peeves, and
improving parallel structure will greatly enhance the clarity of

Check your
understanding
with your groups