Parallelism

Brenham Writing Room

Created by D. Herring

What is Parallelism?

Parallelism in writing means that similar parts in a sentence (2 or more) must have the same structure.– Their parts are comparable and balanced.– Allows writing to flow smoothly and helps avoid

misunderstandings.

When similar parts do not follow the same structure, you have created Faulty Parallelism.

Understanding Parallelism

Use similar structures to express similar ideas.– Put nouns with nouns

Faulty (F): I enjoy basketball more than playing video games.

Correct (C): I enjoy basketball more than video games.

– Put verbs with verbs (and use same tense) F: On our anniversary, we ate, danced, and were singing. C: On our anniversary, we ate, danced, and sang.

– Put adjectives with adjectives F: My history class was both interesting and a challenge. C: My history class was both interesting and challenging.

Parallelism in Pairs & Lists

When you present two or more items in a series joined by and or or, use similar form for each item.– F: I am doing well in my English class, in my math

class, and in history.– F: I am doing well in my English class, in my math

class, and my history class.– C: I am doing well in my English class, in my math

class, and in my history class.

Parallelism in Comparisons

In comparisons, the items being compared must have parallel structure.– F: Driving to Austin is as fast as to fly.– C: Driving to Austin is as fast as flying.– F: Buying textbooks is almost as expensive as

tuition.– C: Buying textbooks is almost as expensive as

paying tuition.– C: Textbooks are almost as expensive as tuition.

Parallelism with Paired Words

When a sentence uses correlative conjunctions, the items joined by them must be parallel.

– F: My history course is both interesting and a challenge.– C: My history course is both interesting and challenging.– F: You must either make a C in the course or taking it again

will be the consequence.– C: You must either make a C in the course or take it again.– F: I would rather work hard and pass than to repeat the

course.– C: I would rather work hard and pass than repeat the

course.