PARALLELISM FINDING THE BALANCE IN WRITING PARALLELISM To

PARALLELISM: FINDING THE BALANCE IN WRITING

PARALLELISM To err is human, to forgive is divine.

PARALLELISM inf. LV adj. To err is human, to forgive is divine.

PARALLELISM We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. Martin Luther King, Jr.

PARALLELISM We must learn to live together as brothers or (to) perish together as fools. Martin Luther King, Jr. (two infinitive phrases)

PARALLELISM Cinzano and soda. Tinglier after tennis. Breezier on a boat. Livelier at a lawn party. Peppier ‘round the pool. Snappier after softball. Grander after golf. Bouncier at a barbecue. Brighter after biking. Friskier after fishing. Bubblier at a brunch.

PARALLELISM Cinzano and soda. Tinglier (after tennis). ( Adjective / prep. phrase ) Breezier (on a boat). Livelier (at a lawn party). Peppier (‘round the pool). Snappier (after softball). Grander (after golf). Bouncier (at a barbecue). Brighter (after biking). Friskier (after fishing). Bubblier (at a brunch).

PARALLELISM What is parallel structure (parallelism)?

PARALLELISM Parallel structure is the grammatical balance of two or more logically related sentence elements.

Why use parallel structure?

Why use parallel structure? • Use parallel structure to: 1. aid reader in understanding words 2. clarify language 3. emphasize meaning

PARALLELISM • EXPRESS PARALLEL IDEAS IN THE SAME GRAMMATICAL FORM. • You should be able to use three kinds of parallel structure: • Coordinate • Compared and contrasted • Correlative

COORDINATE IDEAS • Coordinate ideas are of equal importance and are connected by coordinate conjunctions: and but or nor • For proper coordination, --- a noun is paired with another noun --- a phrase with a phrase --- a clause with a clause --- an infinitive with an infinitive --- a gerund with a gerund --- a word ending with –ing with another –ing word.

COORDINATE IDEAS • INCORRECT: In the winter I usually like skiing and to skate. ( gerund paired with an infinitive)

COORDINATE IDEAS • CORRECT: In the winter I usually like skiing and skating. (gerund paired with a gerund) In the winter I usually like to ski and to skate. (infinitive paired with an infinitive)

COORDINATE IDEAS • INCORRECT: A good scholar must be precise and possess originality. (helping verb - adjective and action verb noun )

COORDINATE IDEAS • INCORRECT: A good scholar must be precise and possess originality. • CORRECT: A good scholar must be precise and original. (one verb and two adjectives)

COORDINATE IDEAS • INCORRECT: Noun Prep. Phr. Noun clause • Consider the origins of man and how he has developed. (noun / prepositional phrase with noun clause)

COORDINATE IDEAS • INCORRECT: Noun Prep. Phr. Noun clause Consider the origins of man and how he has developed. • CORRECT: Noun clause Consider how man originated and how he has developed. (two noun clauses) Verb Consider how man originated and developed. (two past tense action verbs)

COORDINATE IDEAS • INCORRECT: Give me the aggressive fellow and who has initiative. (adjective/noun with adjective clause) • CORRECT: Give me the fellow who is aggressive and who has initiative. (two adjective clauses)

COORDINATE IDEAS • INCORRECT: The pilot received orders to bomb the target and that he would then return home. (infinitive phase / noun clause) • CORRECT: The pilot received orders to bomb the target and then to return home. (two infinitive phrases)

COORDINATE IDEAS • In parallel constructions, observe this principle of pairing one part of speech with another or one kind of construction with another. • Parallelism is the grammatical balance of two or more logically related sentence elements.

COMPARED AND CONTRASTED IDEAS • Ideas that are compared and contrasted are parallel, or in the same grammatical form.

COMPARED AND CONTRASTED IDEAS • INCORRECT: Einstein liked mathematical research more than to supervise a large laboratory. • ( noun contrasted with an infinitive) OR

COMPARED AND CONTRASTED IDEAS • INCORRECT: Einstein liked mathematical research more than to supervise a large laboratory. ( noun contrasted with an infinitive) • CORRECT: Einstein liked mathematical research more than supervision of a large laboratory. (noun and a modifier contrasted with noun and modifier)

COMPARED AND CONTRASTED IDEAS • INCORRECT: To chew carefully is as necessary for a good digestion as eating slowly. ( infinitive contrasted with a gerund)

COMPARED AND CONTRASTED IDEAS • CORRECT: Chewing carefully is as necessary for a good digestion as eating slowly. ( gerund contrasted with a gerund) To chew carefully is as necessary for a good digestion as to eat slowly. (infinitive contrasted with an infinitive)

CORRELATIVE IDEAS Correlative constructions are formed with the correlative conjunctions: both. . . and either. . . or neither. . . nor not only. . . but (also) • Correlative ideas should be expressed in parallel form. • Place the correlative conjunctions immediately before the parallel ideas.

CORRELATIVE IDEAS INCORRECT: With The Pickwick Papers, Dickens proved that he was not only humorous but also a writer of great originality. ( adjective --- noun)

CORRELATIVE IDEAS • CORRECT: With The Pickwick Papers, Dickens proved that he was not only humorous but also original. (two adjectives) With The Pickwick Papers, Dickens proved that he was not only a humorist but also a writer of original ideas. (two nouns)

CORRELATIVE IDEAS • INCORRECT: A President of the United States must not only represent his own political party but also the entire American people. (Not only. . . but also should directly precede the parallel ideas his own political party and the entire American people. ) Adj. adj. n. his own political party Adj. adj. n. the entire American people.

CORRELATIVE IDEAS • CORRECT: A President of the United States must represent not only his own political party but also the entire American people. (Do not split verb phrase or an infinitive. Move the correlative. )

CORRELATIVE IDEAS INCORRECT: Washington both enjoyed Yorktown and experienced the gloom of Valley Forge. CORRECT: ___________________________________

CORRELATIVE IDEAS INCORRECT: Washington both enjoyed Yorktown and experienced the gloom of Valley Forge. CORRECT: ___________________________________

CORRELATIVE IDEAS INCORRECT: Washington both enjoyed Yorktown and experienced the gloom of Valley Forge. CORRECT: ___________________________________

CORRELATIVE IDEAS INCORRECT: Washington both enjoyed Yorktown and experienced the gloom of Valley Forge. CORRECT: ___________________________________

CORRELATIVE IDEAS INCORRECT: Washington both enjoyed Yorktown and experienced the gloom of Valley Forge. CORRECT: Washington experienced both the gloom of Valley Forge and the joy of Yorktown.

NOTE #1: • NOTE: To assure parallel form or to stress emphasis, repeat the word that introduces the parallel construction. (prepositions, relative pronouns, sign of the infinitive “to”)

NOTE # 1: Repeat the Word • EXAMPLE: We had to advise Edwards that (to accept his offer was out of the question), that (to leave our homestead was impossible), and that (to move our ailing father was dangerous).

NOTE #1: Repeat the Word • Electrical contractors face involved problems in (estimating costs) and in (maintaining stock supplies). • He refused to listen, to understand, and to compromise.

NOTE #2: • NOTE: Change the word that introduces a series of parallel elements if doing so is necessary to maintain idiomatic expression.

NOTE #2: Idiomatic Expression • INCORRECT: He is awed and courteous to highranking officials.

NOTE #2: Idiomatic Expression • INCORRECT: He is awed and courteous to highranking officials. He is awed high-ranking officials. (? ) He is awed to high-ranking officials. (? ) He is courteous to high-ranking officials.

NOTE #2: Idiomatic Expression • INCORRECT: He is awed and courteous to highranking officials. • CORRECT: He is awed by and courteous to highranking officials. possible STAAR/EOC question)

NOTE #3: • NOTE: Change any word in a series of parallel elements if doing so is necessary to maintain correct grammatical form.

NOTE #3: Grammatical Form • INCORRECT: Men have always and will continue to try improving their standard of living. (one helping verb, one verb phrase)

NOTE #3: Grammatical Form • INCORRECT: Men have always and will continue to try improving their standard of living. (one helping verb, one verb phrase) Men have always continue to try improving their standard of living. (? ) Men will continue to try improving their standard of living. (!)

NOTE #3: Grammatical Form • INCORRECT: Men have always and will continue to try improving their standard of living. (one helping verb, one verb phrase) • CORRECT: Men have always tried and will continue trying to improve their standard of living. (two verb phrases)

REMINDER: • CLUE: A good indication of the need for parallelism is the presence of either a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or) or a pair of correlative conjunctions (either…or, neither…nor, both…and, not only…but also).

PRACTICE QUESTION Changing over from a military to a peacetime economy means producing tractors rather than tanks, radios rather than rifles, and producing running shoes rather than combat boots. (A) producing running shoes rather than combat boots (B) the production of running shoes rather than combat boots (C) running shoes rather than combat boots (D) replacing combat boots with running shoes (E) running shoes instead of combat boots

PRACTICE QUESTION Changing over from a military to a peacetime economy means producing tractors rather than tanks, radios rather than rifles, and producing running shoes rather than combat boots. (A) producing running shoes rather than combat boots (B) the production of running shoes rather than combat boots (C) running shoes rather than combat boots (D) replacing combat boots with running shoes (E) running shoes instead of combat boots

PRACTICE QUESTION Changing over from a military to a GERUND - DO peacetime economy means producing NOUN PREP. PHR. NOUN tractors rather than tanks, radios rather PREP. PHR NOUN (GERUND) PREP. PHR than rifles, and running shoes rather than combat boots.

SUMMARY 1. Parallel structure is __________________________________.

SUMMARY 1. Parallel structure is the grammatical balance of two or more logically related sentence elements.

SUMMARY 2. The three types of parallel structure are: A. ________________ B. __________________ C. __________________

SUMMARY 2. The three types of parallel structure are: A. _COORDINATE IDEAS______ B. _COMPARED AND CONTRASTED IDEAS C. _CORRELATIVE IDEAS_______

SUMMARY 3. Coordinate conjunctions are _______, and ______.

SUMMARY 3. Coordinate conjunctions are AND, OR__, _BUT, and NOR.

SUMMARY 4. Correlative conjunctions, which come in pairs, are: – – A. ________________ B. ________________ C. ________________ D. ________________

SUMMARY 4. Correlative conjunctions, which come in pairs, are: – A. ___BOTH… AND__________ – B. ___EITHER… OR__________ – C. ___NEITHER… NOR________ – D. ___NOT ONLY… BUT ALSO_____

SUMMARY 5. Place the correlative conjunctions directly before_________.

SUMMARY 5. Place the correlative conjunctions directly before the two parallel ideas.

SUMMARY 6. Use parallel structure to ________________________________ ______.

SUMMARY 6. Use parallel structure to a. Aid reader in understanding words____ b. Clarify language c. Emphasize meaning

ONE MORE THING 7. You should never split ______ or _______.

SUMMARY 7. You should never split verb phrases or infinitives. Incorrect To not only go He was either saying Correct not only to go Either he was saying

PRACTICE QUIZ

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 1. To become better artists, we must continue to find good teachers, and it is important to enter competitions. a. b. c. d. e. it is important to enter competitions entering competitions we must continue entering competitions importantly enter competitions to enter competitions

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 1. To become better artists, we must continue to find good teachers, and it is important to enter competitions. a. b. c. d. e. it is important to enter competitions entering competitions we must continue entering competitions importantly enter competitions to enter competitions Two infinitive phrases

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 2. To quit the contest early is relinquishing the title you have already earned. a. relinquishing the title you have already earned b. not good because of relinquishing the title you have already earned c. to relinquish the title you have already earned d. already going to take away the title you have earned e. the same as relinquishing the title you have already earned

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 2. To quit the contest early is relinquishing the title you have already earned. a. relinquishing the title you have already earned b. not good because of relinquishing the title you have already earned c. to relinquish the title you have already earned d. already going to take away the title you have earned e. the same as relinquishing the title you have already earned * Two infinitive phrases

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 3. The boys in the class finished the test first, but the highest scores were made by the girls. a. b. c. d. e. the highest scores were made by the girls made the highest scores the girls were the ones who made the highest scores the scores of the girls were the highest the scores that were the highest were made by the girls

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 3. The boys in the class finished the test first, but the highest scores were made by the girls. a. b. c. d. e. the highest scores were made by the girls made the highest scores the girls were the ones who made the highest scores the scores of the girls were the highest the scores that were the highest were made by the girls Two independent clauses with active voice verbs

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 4. The violin had a broken string, a cracked bridge, and the endpin was loose. a. b. c. d. e. the endpin was loose an endpin which was loose along with a loose endpin it had a loose endpin

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 4. The violin had a broken string, a cracked bridge, and the endpin was loose. a. b. c. d. e. the endpin was loose an endpin which was loose along with a loose endpin it had a loose endpin * A series of adjectives modifying a noun

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 5. Before starting a new business, you should consider all costs, potential sales and how convenient it would be to market your product. a. b. c. d. e. how convenient it would be to market your product how to conveniently market your product convenience of marketing your product be able to market your product conveniently how conveniently your product can be marketed

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 5. Before starting a new business, you should consider all costs, potential sales and how convenient it would be to market your product. a. b. c. d. e. how convenient it would be to market your product how to conveniently market your product convenience of marketing your product be able to market your product conveniently how conveniently your product can be marketed * a series of nouns

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 6. The athlete was noted for his athletic prowess, his good business sense, and he was sincerely humble as well. a. b. c. d. e. he was sincerely humble as well his sincerity as well as being humble being both sincere and humble he was sincere with humility his sincere humility

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 6. The athlete was noted for his athletic prowess, his good business sense, and he was sincerely humble as well. a. b. c. d. e. he was sincerely humble as well his sincerity as well as being humble being both sincere and humble he was sincere with humility his sincere humility * A series of adjectives modifying nouns

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 7. To the incoming college student, fraternity initiation may seem like a fun activity, but a dangerous and sometimes fatal act is how the dean sees it. a. a dangerous and sometimes fatal act is how the dean sees it b. the act is dangerous and sometimes fatal to the dean c. how the dean sees it is that it is dangerous and sometimes fatal d. to the dean, it is a dangerous and sometimes fatal act e. it is dangerous and sometimes fatal to the dean who sees it

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 7. To the incoming college student, fraternity initiation may seem like a fun activity, but a dangerous and sometimes fatal act is how the dean sees it. a. a dangerous and sometimes fatal act is how the dean sees it b. the act is dangerous and sometimes fatal to the dean c. how the dean sees it is that it is dangerous and sometimes fatal d. to the dean, it is a dangerous and sometimes fatal act e. it is dangerous and sometimes fatal to the dean who sees it • Introductory preposition phrase, subject, verb, predicate nominative

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 8. The sea captain reported that he was facing high winds, torrential rain, and probably there would be 10 foot waves. a. b. c. d. e. probably there would be 10 foot waves that would get as high as 10 feet he also expected to see 10 foot waves probably the thought he would see 10 foot waves

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 8. The sea captain reported that he was facing high winds, torrential rain, and probably there would be 10 foot waves. a. b. c. d. e. probably there would be 10 foot waves that would get as high as 10 feet he also expected to see 10 foot waves probably the thought he would see 10 foot waves * Series of adjectives modifying nouns

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 9. My employer told me to reconcile the bank statement and that I should count the petty cash. a. b. c. d. e. that I should count the petty cash to count the petty cash begin counting the petty cash should be counted find some time to count the petty cash

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 9. My employer told me to reconcile the bank statement and that I should count the petty cash. a. b. c. d. e. that I should count the petty cash to count the petty cash begin counting the petty cash should be counted find some time to count the petty cash * Two infinitive phrases

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 10. Jeremy carried a black cane while brown canes were carried by his friends. a. b. c. d. e. brown canes were carried by his friends being carried by his friends were brown canes his friends were carrying brown canes his friends carried brown canes were being carried by his friends

TEST TAKING PRACTICE PARALLELISM 10. Jeremy carried a black cane while brown canes were carried by his friends. a. b. c. d. e. brown canes were carried by his friends being carried by his friends were brown canes his friends were carrying brown canes his friends carried brown canes were being carried by his friends * Two clauses / active voice verbs

PARALLELISM MORE PRACTICE