Parallel Construction

1. Parallel Construction Rachel Grammer Writing Tutor Walden Writing Center

2. Introductory Question: What is Parallel Construction? A. Forming a sentence that does not have any negatives. B. Forming a sentence that is consistent in its structure. C. Parallel parking your car in a construction zone.

3. What is Parallel Construction? Parallel construction is making similar parts of your writing follow the same pattern. These parts need to be presented in parallel form.

4. Parallel Construction It may help to think of parallel lines. Parallel lines are lines that never cross because they are at the same angle. The same is true for writing. Parallel construction means words are in the same form.

5. Parallel Construction Parallel construction errors are most obvious in lists. For example, take a look at the following sentences: • Sarah likes to swim, read, and to run. TO swim, READ, and TO run TO swim, TO read, and TO run

6. Parallel Construction • I like hiking, camping, and to bike. REVISION: I like hiking, camping, and to bikebiking. • There were a shoe, shirt, and a sock on the bed. • REVISION: There were a shoe, a shirt, and a sock on the bed.

7. Parallel Construction For these sentences to have parallel construction, we need to fix some things. • Sarah likes to swim, to read, and to run. Notice each item is now in the same format: to swim, to read, to run. • I like hiking, camping, and biking. Notice each item is now in the same format because each item ends in –ing (a gerund). • There was a shoe, a shirt, and a sock on the bed. Notice each item is now preceded by an article.

8. Parallel Construction Remember the basic concept of parallel construction is to have similar parts of writing in the same format. This can get a little complicated as the construction gets more complicated.

9. I run, train, and I must keep my mental energy. A. I run, train, and my mental energy must be maintained. B. I run, train, and maintain mental energy. C. Correct as written.

10. Parallel Construction Good runners eat well balanced meals, maintain steady training schedules, and focus on their form. Notice here there is parallel construction because there are three things listed, and each thing begins with a verb (eat, maintain, and focus).

11. Parallel Construction Because Ryan studied thoroughly for his entrance exam, receives good grades, and worked as an intern, he was a candidate for the job. Notice that each of these items begins with a verb, but they are not all in the same tense. In order to have parallel construction here, all of the verbs must be in the same tense. By changing receives to received, we now have parallel construction. Because Ryan studied for his entrance exam, received good grades, and worked as an intern, he was a candidate for the job.

12. Parallel Construction Jamie noticed that the student’s paper was incorrectly numbered and that the title page was not centered. Notice here that the two things discussed in this sentence have the same wording (both begin with the word that).

13. I like to sing, cooking, and to bike. A. I like singing, cooking, and to bike. B. I like to sing, to cook, and to bike. C. Correct as written.

14. Parallel Construction The question: Is there parallel construction in the following sentence? Adams (2006) stated that the study incorporated the demographics of the population, analyzed the eligibility of the participants, examined the results of the survey, and defines key terminology.

15. Parallel Construction The answer: No. This sentence is not parallel. The verbs must be in the same tense to be parallel. Adams (2006) stated that the study incorporated the demographics of the population, analyzed the eligibility of the participants, examined the results of the survey, and defined key terminology.

16. Parallel Construction Between and And Incorrect:  We debated the difference between the weather in Minnesota in the winter and how hot it is in the summer. Correct:  We debated the difference between the weather in Minnesota in the winter and the weather in Minnesota in the summer.

17. There are differences between what I say and we do. A. There are differences between what I say and what we do. B. There are differences between my sayings and what we do. C. Correct as written.

18. Parallel Construction Both and And Incorrect:  The books were both enjoyable to read and discuss. Correct:  The books were enjoyable both to read and to discuss.

19. Parallel Construction Neither and Nor; Either and Or Incorrect:  Neither the responses to the questionnaire nor what we asked on the survey were answered. Correct:  Neither the responses to the questionnaire nor the responses to the survey were answered.

20. The results showed neither happiness nor sad people. A. The results showed neither happy nor sad people. B. The results showed neither happy people nor sadness. C. Correct as written.

21. Resources • Parallel Construction: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/712.htm • Writing Center Website: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/ • Library: http://library.waldenu.edu/

22. Questions? What kinds of questions do you have regarding parallel construction?