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Parallelism in Writing

Parallelism is a grammatical concept that involves structuring parts of a sentence in the same way to emphasize similar ideas, enhancing clarity and readability. Examples illustrate how to maintain consistent grammatical forms in lists and phrases, such as using all nouns or gerunds. Key takeaways emphasize the importance of consistency in verb forms and structure for effective writing.

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19 views7 pages

Parallelism in Writing

Parallelism is a grammatical concept that involves structuring parts of a sentence in the same way to emphasize similar ideas, enhancing clarity and readability. Examples illustrate how to maintain consistent grammatical forms in lists and phrases, such as using all nouns or gerunds. Key takeaways emphasize the importance of consistency in verb forms and structure for effective writing.

Uploaded by

Yongson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Understanding Parallelism

in Writing

Creating Clear and Effective


Sentences
Definition of Parallelism

Parallelism is a grammatical concept where parts


of a sentence that have the same function or
express similar ideas are structured in the same
way.

Parallelism refers to using similar words, clauses,


phrases, sentence structure, or other grammatical
elements to emphasize similar ideas in a sentence. It
makes the sentence concise, clear, and easy to read.

It creates a smooth, rhythmic flow and


makes sentences clearer and more concise.
The business accepts cash, credit
cards, and you can even pay with
a check.

She aspires to finish college, and


becoming an accountant would be
another goal.

Lily likes eating M&Ms and to


binge-watch series on Netflix.
Not "The business accepts cash, credit cards,
Parallel: and you can even pay with a check."

"Cash" and "credit cards" are


Why it's not
parallel: nouns, while "you can even pay
with a check" is a clause.
Example 1
-
Parallelism
in Lists "The business accepts cash,
Parallel: credit cards, and checks."

All items are nouns,


Why it's
maintaining consistent
parallel:
structure.
"She aspires to finish college,
Not Parallel: and becoming an accountant
would be another goal."

"To finish college" is an infinitive


Why it's not phrase, while "becoming an
parallel: accountant" is a gerund phrase.
Example 2
-
Parallelism "She aspires to finish
in Goals
Parallel: college and become an
accountant."

Both parts use the infinitive


Why it's
form ("to finish" and "to
parallel:
become"), creating consistency.
• Not Parallel:
• "Lily likes eating M&Ms and to binge-
watch series on Netflix."

• Why it's not parallel:


• "Eating M&Ms" is a gerund phrase,
while "to binge-watch series on
Netflix" is an infinitive phrase.
Example 3 -
Parallelism in • Parallel Option 1:
Preferences • "Lily likes eating M&Ms and binge-
watching series on Netflix."
• Both parts use gerund phrases ("eating"
and "binge-watching").

• Parallel Option 2:
• "Lily likes to eat M&Ms and to binge-
watch series on Netflix."
• Both parts use infinitive phrases ("to
eat" and "to binge-watch").
Key Takeaways on Parallelism

1. Items in a list or pairs should have the


same grammatical form (e.g., all nouns,
all gerunds, all infinitives).

2. Maintain consistency in verb forms or


phrase structures when expressing
ideas.

3. Parallelism improves clarity,


readability, and style in writing.

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