PARALLELISM: WRITING AND IDENTIFYING PARALLEL SENTENCES
In English grammar, Parallelism is the balance between two or more similar words, phrases, or clauses. Parallelism is also called parallel structure or parallel construction. Parallel construction can also be used as a literary device that creates a harmonious flow and rhythm with words and phrases. This is effective for readers in that parallelism can capture a reader’s attention and enhance the structure of writing to make the literary work more meaningful.
It is important to maintain parallel structure to avoid grammatically incorrect sentences and improves your writing style. You can write and identify parallel sentences if you learn the rules of parallelism. Here are the rules of parallelism.
1. Parallelism is used to balance nouns with nouns, prepositional phrases with prepositional phrases, participles with participles, infinitives with infinitives, and clauses with clauses.
2. Parallelism is used with elements joined by coordinating conjunctions.
My mother likes cooking and to read. ❌
My mother likes cooking and reading. ✔
3. Parallelism is used with elements in lists or in a series.
This task can be done individually, in pairs, or can be done in groups of four. ❌
This task can be done individually, in pairs, or in groups of four. ✔
4. Parallelism is used with elements being compared.
She is mad about watching TV more than reading a book. ❌
She is mad about watching TV more than reading a book. ✔
5. Parallelism is used with elements joined by a linking verb or a form of being
To learn is to understand the world. ❌
To learn is to understand the world. ✔
6. Parallelism is used with elements joined by linking words.
The teacher not only wants his students to keep quiet but also to do the task. ❌
The teacher wants his students not only to keep quiet but also to do the task. ✔
