Mastering Parallelism in Writing

1. Parallelism Adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Hixon

2. Parallelism Parallelism simply means that everything is the same. To ensure parallelism in your writing, locate all the items in a list; then make them match. This proposal is profitable, timely, and it helps us. The sentence above has a parallelism problem. “Profitable” and “timely” are adjectives describing the noun “proposal,” but “it helps us” is a clause. This proposal is profitable, timely, and helpful. In the revised sentence, “profitable,” “timely,” and “helpful” are all adjectives describing the same noun.

3. Parallelism with Phrases Parallelism is important wherever we have items in a series, whether those items are words, phrases, or clauses. A good attitude, being on time, and speaking effectively are her best professional attributes. Here, “being on time” and “speaking effectively” are phrases that contain gerunds, –ing verbs acting as nouns. “A good attitude is part of the list of attributes, but it does not contain a gerund. Havinga good attitude, being on time, and speaking effectively are her best professional attributes. Giving “a good attitude” a gerund solves the problem.

4. Parallelism with Clauses The following sentence contains three short clauses, but there is a problem with parallelism. Did you know that you have a purpose, that you are needed, and we love you? To make the three clauses parallel, we have to add “that” to “we love you” and switch the pronouns so that “you” is in the same position in each clause. Did you know that you have a purpose, that you are needed, and that you are loved?

5. Conjunctions are words like “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet” and “so” that connect words, phrases, and clauses. Wherever you see a conjunction, check to be sure the items on each side of the conjunction are parallel. James Baldwin was black, gay, and grew up in poverty. The word “and” signals that a list is present. However, the list in the sentence above is not parallel. “Black” and “gay” are adjectives that describe James Baldwin, but “grew up in poverty” is not an adjective. We’ll revise the sentence by changing “grew up in poverty” to an adjective. James Baldwin was black, gay, and poor. Parallelism with Conjunctions

6. Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions Correlative conjunctions are two-part connectors. If you have one half of a correlative conjunction, you have to have the other. either . . . or neither . . . nor both . . . and whether . . . or not only . . . but also

7. Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions Not only do constructions with correlative conjunctions need both parts of the conjunction, but they also need to be in a logical position in the sentence to do their work. (Did you notice the correlative conjunction in that introductory sentence? It’s “not only. . . but also.”) Ora spent the entire trip either arguing with me or with Virginia. Ora is arguingwith two people. We need “either” in a position close to “me” and “Virginia” to make a distinction between the two choices. Ora spent the entire trip arguing either with me or with Virginia. Moreover, because we have “either,” we must also have “or.”

8. Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions Just for the sake of clarity, let’s draw a picture of that sentence. with me Ora spent the entire trip arguing eitheror with Virginia. “Arguing” belongs to the core sentence “Ora spent the entire trip arguing”; the two options for Ora’s opponents don’t become distinct until we indicate the two choices with “either . . . or.”

9. Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions Here are some more examples of parallelism with correlative conjunctions. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds (unofficial motto of the U. S. Postal Service). Both Jenny and Kate work hard at their jobs. Whether you like succotash or not, that’s what’s for dinner. I always liked going to school not only as an opportunity to learn but also as a chance to see my friends.

10. Parallelism in Outlines Parallelism is also vital for outlines and tables of contents. If one entry is a noun or noun phrase, take care that every entry is a noun or noun phrase. You may also use Proper nouns, verbs or verb phrases, independent clauses – anything you want, really, but all entries must take the same form. Levels of English Usage I. Standard A. Informal English 1. Colloquialisms 2. Slang 3. Clichés B. Formal English 1. Academic English 2. Business English II. Nonstandard English A. Dialect B. Misspoken forms C. “Bad” English