To create parallel structure in writing, writers must make each idea in the sentence follow the same grammatical pattern and form. To win featured snippets for specific search terms, bulleted or numbered lists are a popular content creation tactic. - Definition & Examples, What is Parallel Structure? You may also see flow chart examples. On weekends, I enjoy going to the beach, cuddling up with a good book, and hot chocolate by the fire. The definition of parallel structure is the repetition of the same grammatical structures within a sentence. It was Sally Baldwin who brought me along, told me what to wear and do and think and say. 20 chapters | All the items in this example are nouns. Not Parallel: parallel structure repetition of a pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to signify that two or more events or ideas have the same level of importance; helps the writer organize and clarify their thoughts. Should the students use pens or a pencil? Parallel structure should be used when you connect clauses with a coordinating conjunction such as: for, and, nor, or, but, so, or yet in a sentence. If the first item stated in the list is a noun, the following items should also consist of nouns; if the first action is a simple past tense verb, then the succeeding actions must be in the simple past tense form of the verb as well. In the example from the table, you can see the shift from a gerund to an infinitive verb form. You may also check outexamples of oxymoron in sentences. Parallel structure helps ensure your reader correctly interprets your ideas because if you don't show how two or more items clearly connect, your reader could get confused. If repetition exists and/or conjunctions are present, check that the elements match. Skim your paper, pausing at the words "and" and "or." The bold words indicate that parallel construction is used correctly. Words and phrasesWords and phrases can be joined with either the ing form (called a gerund) or the infinitive form. The teacher told the students that they need to get up early in the morning, that they need to sleep properly, and that they need to eat properly. Parallel structure should be used when writing clauses. Let's take a look at a basic example of a sentence that uses parallel structure. Thank you! To correct the lack of parallel structure in the first sentence, each idea is shared as a phrase. Not Parallel: To succeed is getting new opportunities. Sure, your writing is better when you use parallel structure. Avoid mixing the verbs when the series consists of several forms of a verb. Two things likely happened when you decided to click and read this piece about parallel structure. Parallel: Julia23Bennett "The Night Face Up" vocabulary & questions. You might be interested incompound sentence usage and examples. Exercise Group 2: Parallel Structure. Rishhmaa. Review the following examples: Not Parallel: Mary likes hiking, to swim, and biking.Parallel with ing: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and biking.Parallel with the infinitive: Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to bike.OR Mary likes to hike, swim, and bike.Clauses A parallel structure that begins with a clause must keep using clauses. Parallel: Northern has a distinctive sense of place some refer to it as the upper hand, Sign up to make the most of YourDictionary. Northern's campus is right in the heart of Marquette, MI and stretches all the way to the sandy shores The managerwanted to make sure that Jane made her marketing presentation creatively, effectively, and persuasively. Instead of being all dos or all donts, the reader has to work much harder by going back and forth (dont, do, dont, do, etc.). ', 'Joseph bought a jacket. Does it mean to use the same pattern of word to coney multiple ideas? This excerpt presents a perfect example of parallel structure, describing a convict who becomes Magwitch. Parallel: Taylor criticizes public schools as they require students to attend, receive money from the government, and destroy students humanity. Parallel: I enjoy neither exercising nor playing video games. Parallel Structure Definition. Parallel: Participants in the workshop learned about negotiating, communicating, and working collaboratively. Parallel structure can be defined as the repetition of the same grammatical structures within a sentence to create equal grammatical value. Not Parallel: Her shopping list for the party included: balloons, dessert, streamers, and chips. The following activities are a part of our daily chores: running errands, cooking lunch, and cleaning the house. When that pattern is broken, it creates a disruptive reading experience. I dislike cleaning and. Use parallel structure with elements that are joined by a correlative conjunction. Not Parallel: Ben not only wants fame but also money. Note for Purdue Students: Schedule a consultation at the on-campus writing lab to get more in-depth writing help from one of our tutors. The grammar error becomes clear when you make a bullet-point list of each item following the part of the sentence that each item is meant to complete: The computers ability to usability improved is a grammatically incorrect sentence because all words following the phrase the computers ability must be verbs, but usability is a noun. These techniques are what make this quote a great example of parallel structure. Parallel structure means that coordinate parts of a sentence, such as items in a series or list, have the same grammatical form. 3. complete and incomplete sentences examples, examples on how to write a sentence outline, complex sentences definition and examples. Patterns that come with parallel construction make it easier for your audience to remember your content. The best way to complete an essay is to research a topic thoroughly, write clearly, edit properly, and proof-read when finished. Not Parallel: Esther said she would rather pay for her education than financial aid. It is similar to parallelism. You can see how perfectly the author has repeated and emphasized the first two lines in the above paragraph. Listen to the sound of the items in a list or the items being compared. One common mistake that occurs with parallel structure is when a different verb tense is used to communicate the elements that are being shared. In the non-parallel structure, there are two gerunds acting as nouns and one infinitive (to read), which makes the sentence awkward and harder to process. According to studies, abused children typically showone or more of the following symptoms: rebelliousness, restlessness, withdrawal, and depression. Not Parallel: My professor told me that I need to write a paper by Friday, that I need to study for my quiz on Tuesday, and that I need to do my homework. Martin Luther King Jr. is credited with this infamous quote, but what makes it appealing to the reader? Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to connect words, phrases, or clauses. Oops! This is another excellent example of parallel structure. These structures giverhythm to sentences and leaving them grammatically balanced. To revise this sentence and create parallel structure, all verbs are changed to gerunds which creates a repetition of the same verb tense. This list is an example of parallel construction where each sentence begins with plural nouns. 1. Parallel structure should be used with infinitives. Parallel structure is repetition of a certain form, which provides balance and clarity in your writing. The world's best online resource for learning English. Create your account. The materials collected here do not express the views of, or positions held by, Purdue University. Words and phrases within a sentence should not only match in structure, but also in tense. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way., I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. So, how can we fix grammatical errors with parallel structure? When you have items on a list following a colon, the items should all be in the same form in order to avoid a parallel structure error. 5. Yet again, here is the same list with a broken parallel structure that flip-flops between positive (yes) and negative (no) statements. As you may have noticed, using a parallel structure builds a unique rhythm between the lines which offers an enjoyable time and experience for readers to absorb and understand ideas, concepts, and facts in a different way. The problematic areas are italicized below. Though the way these sentences are structured never really mattered during our early years at school, as we grew older, we came to learn just how important it is to construct proper sentences for better communication. By creating word patterns that are easily understood, you decrease the friction between your message and your audience. When parallel structure fails, the reading experience is disrupted and the reader might physically cringe. | Example & Usage, Holt McDougal Literature Grade 9 Common Core Edition: Online Textbook Help, Smarter Balanced Assessments - ELA Grade 11: Test Prep & Practice, FTCE Middle Grades English 5-9 (014) Prep, SAT Subject Test Literature: Practice and Study Guide, College English Composition: Help and Review, 10th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, 11th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, 9th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, Create an account to start this course today. Use parallel structures to connect to phrases or clauses with a correlative conjunction such as eitheror, not onlybut also, ifthen, neither thisnor. He enjoys finding new recipes, cooking for friends, and to eat the meals too. 1. noun, verb, noun, noun or verb, verb, participle). It means using the same pattern of words to convey that two or more ideas share the same level of importance. For the ends of being and ideal grace. Parallel structure is also used with correlative conjunctions, such as either or, neither nor, not only but also. To further expand your knowledge about parallel structure in writing, review these examples of parallelism in literature and rhetoric. Parallel construction is all about mastering patterns, so it helps to understand the different types of parallel structure and a few things to avoid. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. When that pattern is broken, it creates a disruptive reading experience. parallel structure to emphasize ideas humorous tone author communicates ideas with irony and sarcasm. Can you identify a repetition of sounds or phrases? It keeps your writing balanced and makes it easier to read. All elements are described in the same grammatical context, making the message easier to read and understand. If you have several items in a list, put them in a column and evaluate the first words to see if they're parallel. The Future of Freelancing , Your Content Distribution Needs a Checklist, He, 100 Blog Content Ideas For Your 2023 Calendar, What is Guest Blogging? Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. Also important is whats happening on the surface the words on the page. Present at a national conference, If you are unsure if a sentence is parallel and has grammatically correct structure, try making a bullet-point list like the one above. Examples: Parallel structure provides balance and clarity to writing. Using parallel structure improves the readability of a sentence. These correlative conjunctionsmust have equal grammatical units applied after both parts of the conjunction. Adjusting verb tenses, noun numbers, mismatched parts of speech, and an imbalance of clauses to words to match results in parallel structures. Many people like riding, hiking, biking, and swimming. Parallel: Although she promised to, my best friend did not take me to a dance or a show. In addition, parallel structures synchronize, repeat and emphasize the words and thoughts of the writers. Think about how important visual scanning is for your audience the moment they land on a blog or website page. Incorrect Parallel Structure: The book she read was well-written (adjective), interesting (adjective), and a novel (noun). One of the easiest and most effective proofreading techniques is to simply read a piece of writing out loud. Joseph bought a pair of shoes. Parallel: I like to paint, jog, cook, and watch movies. Joseph also bought a tie. Remember that conjunctions are words like 'and,' 'or,' 'but,' 'yet' and 'so' that connect two parts of a sentence. Parallel structure in writing is achieved when each element of the sentence has equal grammatical value. 3. This is done when you have to connect two clauses or phrases with a correlative conjunction (not onlybut also, eitheror, neithernor, ifthen, etc.). When you use parallel structure, you are not repeating yourself but you are emphasizing points by repeating the grammatical structure. Correlative conjunctions (not only but also, either or, neither nor, if then) Our content team not only excels at content creation, but also at content distribution. A lack of parallel structure creates a clunky user experience because the messaging is disjointed. Staying with one form adds clarity to your writing. Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show the two or more ideas have the same level of importance. Not Parallel:The group exhibited collective survival, mutual aid, and being responsible for one another throughout the test.Parallel:The group exhibited collective survival, mutual aid, and responsibility for one another throughout the test. It can also be used as an effective technique by highlighting important information or as a way to emphasize powerful points in your writing. The goal is to not just write sentences and bulleted lists but to bring more connectivity and ease. Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. However, the writer repeats word patterns, not necessarily the words themselves. Parallel structure is vital in your writing in order to produce a piece of work with clarity and readability. An employee who is honest, punctual, hardworking, friendly, and is going to be organized is an asset for the company. Parallel structure creates fluency in writing and enhances readability, as it uses patterns of words in a way that readers caneasily follow, and relate them to each other. Parallel: To succeed is to get new opportunities. Matt and Emily argued not only about the story line, but also about the cast. Students also viewed. You may also see dependent clause examples. 2 . Interpreting Graphics in Expository Texts, What Is an Interrogative Sentence? English 2 coming to our senses. Privacy Policy. Parallel structure (peh-ruh-LEL STRUHK-churr) is a synonym for parallelism: a grammatical and rhetorical term for creating a sense of linguistic balance by repeating elements within a sentence, over the course of several sentences, or in a longer work or speech.. But examples of good and bad parallel structure can be surprisingly obvious. Though the author has clearly combined several elements into her writing, she has also given them a balance by using parallel clauses. Not Parallel: Her company and what its potential is are irrelevant to me. Parallel structure allows the writer to give equal importance to two or more ideas within a sentence. Listen to the sounds of the words in a list or comparison. succeed. You may also like. Each of the examples in the table was revised to show parallel structure by creating a balance between the items that are being compared. If two or more ideas are shared, the part of speech, tense, grammatical structure (word, phrase, or clause), and noun number should be repeated. The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that he would have time to show his slide presentation, and that questions would be asked by prospective buyers. You will need to have equal grammatical units after both parts of the conjunction. Lets take a deeper look into how parallel structures are formed: This happens when you connect two or more clauses or phrases with the coordinating conjunctionsfor, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so.. She has a Master's of Education in Curriculum and Development with a minor in Reading Intervention from Concordia University. Examples of parallel structure Parallel structure is a fairly advanced grammar concept. The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that he would have time to show his slide presentation, and that prospective buyers would ask him questions. Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. You may also check outcomplete and incomplete sentences examples. He went to the store, the bank, and for a run. Choosing Between Infinitive and Gerund: To do or doing? Its common to use a parallel structure with elements in a series or list. Is it his use of repetition, with the word, 'can't?' Northern offers its 7,600 students an abundance of opportunities to explore their interests 5. Parallel structure is used in sentences to promote readability as well as to create a common level of importance between ideas. But as you continue reading the rest of the lines, youll notice how the author follows another, similar structure, which also presents a perfect example of a parallel structure. Now that youre done reading these broken parallel structure examples, simply pause and observe your reaction. The wheels wheeled, the chairs spun, the cotton candy tinted the faces of children, the bright leaves tinted the woods and hills. To be considered parallel, elements in writing must have equal grammatical value. On Saturdays they may visit the open-air market, the docks, or the park. If you determined that the consistent verb tenses created the parallel structure, you are correct! Adjective Clause Overview & Examples | What is an Adjective Clause? 1. Use parallel structure to improve scannability so people quickly understand key points. Explore our website and see all that NMU has to offer. He went to the store, the bank, and running. For example, if there is a series of verbs, are they all in same tense? Not Parallel: I have to eat breakfast quickly and be efficient so I can get to class on time. Switching between active and passive voice. For example, the first sentence below illustrates a lack of parallelism with one list item, "racial," being an adjective and the rest nouns. Parallel structure brings more power and precision to your content. Match nouns, verb tenses, and conjunctions to form a parallel construction. With parallel structure, increased comprehension comes from an increase in readability. She was never wrong; she never lost her patience. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Or, did you already throw something across the room? It is usually easy to identify a lack of parallel structure because the elements of the sentence will seem out of balance and may cause confusion. Thats because parallel structures often come to us naturally when we communicate with others. Correct Examples The words that indicate parallel construction are marked in bold. Not Parallel:I like running better than to bike.Parallel:I like running better than biking. The dictionary can be used to find these: word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs. Run-On Sentences Overview & Examples | What is a Run-On Sentence? Wording that indicates parallel construction in these examples is bold. Jo used the sauna as well. Therefore, a parallel structure, otherwise known as parallelism, is a stylistic device used to increase the readability of ones writing by creating a word pattern that readers can easily follow. 23 terms. Coordinating conjunctions joinparallel elementsin a sentence. Each parallel sentence follows a basic pattern, starting with pronouns and ending with nouns and adverbs, except the first line, which ends with an adjective. Not Parallel:My little brothernot only likes to play catch, but also chase frogs.Parallel:My little brothernot only likes to play catch, but he also likes to chase frogs. It landed snippets for several keyword phrases. In doing so, it also shows that the ideas written in a sentence or paragraph are all of equal importance. travel abroad, or earn a leadership role in a student organization. 2. It also shows that ideas are of equal importance. With clear writing, youre giving your audience an unobstructed path to engage with your content. When content works, it just works well, theres a lot more to it than meets the eye. These elements should be in the same grammatical form (or parallel grammatical form). Use parallel structure with elements that are joined by coordinating conjunctions. 2022 NMU Board of Trustees. Not Parallel:My boyfriend took me dancing and to a concert.Parallel:My boyfriendtook me to a dance and a concert. That bulleted list you just read? 20 terms. - Definition & Examples, Point of View: First, Second & Third Person, Narrators in Literature: Types and Definitions, What is Foreshadowing? Parallel: Her shopping list for the party included: balloons, desserts, streamers, and chips. Sentence lists (item comparison separated by commas) Our content team excels at writing, editing, optimizing, and distributing content. You may also see balanced sentences. She created me, and when she was done we broke up in a formal sense, but she kept calling me.. Or do you hear a rhythm being repeated? An error occurred trying to load this video. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. She likes to read and to sing during her free time. Literary Terms for 11th Grade: Help and Review, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Amanda Palmer, Angela Morris, Maria Airth, How to Write an Effective Parallel Structure, 11th Grade Literary Terms, Theory, and Analysis: Help and Review, Anglo Saxon and Medieval Literature - 11th Grade: Help and Review, Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature - 11th Grade: Help and Review, Gothic and Romantic Literature - 11th Grade: Help and Review, 19th Century Literature - 11th Grade: Help and Review, 20th Century Literature - 11th Grade: Help and Review, African American Writers - 11th Grade: Help and Review, 11th Grade Contemporary Literature: Help and Review, Interpreting Literature for 11th Grade: Help and Review, Listening and Viewing in 11th Grade: Help and Review, What is a Metaphor? She was intelligent, engaging, and articulate. Language and Style: Parallel Structure Parallel structure is the repetition of a pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to signify that two or more events or ideas have the same level of importance. If you can't run, then walk. Not Parallel:My mom tried to persuade me that giving is as much a joy as to receive.Parallel:My mom tried to persuade me that giving is as much a joy as receiving. Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form. Reflexive Pronoun Examples | What is a Reflexive Pronoun? The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly. All rights reserved. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. If not, make them parallel. All Rights Reserved. Whenever you make a list of items or actions in a sentence, using equal grammatical units is crucial. Keep in mind that parallel structure should be used when it comes to verb tense. The dictionary can be used to find these: word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs. Lists after a colon or bulleted lists Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form.Not Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs. Not Parallel: My shopping list for the party includes: balloons, dessert, streamers, and chips. Repeat words instead of repeating patterns. **a. If you have several items in a list, put them in a column to see if they are parallel. She was never wrong; she never lost her patience. Fact checked:Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. If something does not sound cohesive, take a closer look at the parallel structure. Your verb tenses should always match. How did the dowry contribute to female children being less desirable than male children. Or a "to". Even when a colon isn't used to introduce a list, parallel construction is important. Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle. Next morning, in the Lafayette Hotel in Portland, I went down to breakfast and found May Craig looking solemn at one of the tables and Mr. Murray, the auctioneer, looking cheerful at another.. The examples below mix tenses. use of similar grammatical construction to express related ideas. - Definition & Examples, Reverse Personification: Definition & Examples, Sir Thomas Wyatt: Biography, Poems & Sonnets, The Aspern Papers by Henry James: Summary & Analysis, The Pickwick Papers by Dickens: Summary & Overview, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. The same patterns and parts of speech will be repeated to show that two or more ideas within the sentence have the same level of importance. When mismatched elements exist, writers can create parallel structure by revising the sentence and adjusting the unmatched elements. A man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints, and stung by nettles, and torn by briars and glared and growled; and whose teeth chattered in his head as he seized me by the chin.. That being said, here are some everyday examples of a parallel structure: As much as we use parallel structures during everyday conversations, many literary writers use parallel structures to deliver their ideas in a way that readers could fully grasp as well. They are going on the boat, going water skiing, and going swimming. (passive). 2023 LoveToKnow Media. If something is breaking that rhythm or repetition of sound, check to see if it needs to be made parallel. This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. Changing to another pattern or changing the voice of the verb (from active to passive or vice versa) will break the parallelism. 1. 286 lessons An infinitive is a verb that serves as a noun or modifier in the sentence. If unparalleled structures exist, the words, phrases, or clauses that do not match need to be exchanged. In Coming to Our Senses, Susan R. Barry uses the stories of two people, one with a visual deficit and one with a hearing deficit to help us understand how input from these senses develops into perceptions of the environment through interactive experience. I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.. All of the information included in this lesson on parallel structure is designed to help you to: The best way to learn a new concept is through practice. banks4dmiyah. The first sentence uses an adjective, an adjective, and a noun. world -- whatever you want that world to look like. Copyright 2023 Literary Devices. ** What were the most noteworthy advances in Chinese culture during the Sui, Tang, and Sung dynasties? Parallel structure is also called parallelism, parallel form, and parallel construction. The bold terms illustrate parallel construction between the clauses. 3. Copyright 2022 GrammarBrain All rights reserved . I have a dream today., How do I love thee? Take note from these parallel structure examples from content marketers who are using this technique to make their content more powerful and precise. Use parallel structure to connect two or more phrases or clauses joined with coordinating conjunctions for, nor, and, but, yet, or, or so. Use parallel structure to join two or more elements with a linking verb, where the first item is completed by the second one.