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Parallelism

MAINTAIN PARALLELISM

A sentence may contain a series of words, phrases, or clauses. To make it parallel, be consistent within the series: use nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, subordinate clauses with subordinate clauses, and so on.

Not Parallel:

He bought a tie, a shirt, and purchased a scarf.

Parallel:

He bought a tie, a shirt, and a scarf.

The first sentence contains a series that is not consistent. The first two items are nouns, but the third—purchased a scarf—contains a verb. In the second sentence, all three items—tie, shirt, and scarf—are nouns.

USING PARALLELISM TO CREATE COMPARISONS AND CONTRASTS

Always compare like things; otherwise, your sentence won't be parallel.

Not parallel:

The mountains of the West are younger than the East.

[This sentence compares things that are not alike: the mountains and the East.]

You can correct this problem in two ways:

Parallel:

The mountains of the West are younger than the mountains of the East.

Parallel:

The mountains of the West are younger than those of the East.

CREATING PARALLELISM WITH CORRELATIVES

Some pairs of words can help make sentences parallel. These are correlatives:
either . . . or; neither . . . nor; and not only . . . but also.

When you use these pairs, remember to join the same kinds of elements.

Not Parallel:

In December, the weather is either cool, or we get a warming trend with rain.

Parallel:

In December, the weather is either cool or warm and rainy.


NOTE:

In the first sentence, either introduces an adjective—cool—but or introduces a clause—we get a warming trend with rain. In the second sentence, or also introduces adjectives—warm and rainy.

USING THAT TO CREATE PARALLELISM

You can use the relative pronoun that to introduce a subordinate clause. But be consistent if you use more than one subordinate clause. Make sure each is introduced the same way.

Not Parallel:

I knew that I wouldn't get there and my friends would be worried.

Parallel:

I knew that I wouldn't get there and that my friends would be worried.


NOTE:

In the first example, one subordinate clause is introduced by that; the other isn't. In the second example, both subordinate clauses are introduced by that; the sentence is parallel.

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