What Is Parallelism

Understanding Parallelism: The Art of Balanced Structure

At its core, parallelism in writing refers to the use of a series of words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically identical or similar in their construction. Think of it as creating a sense of balance and rhythm within your sentences. When elements are presented in a parallel form, they carry equal weight and importance, making them easier for the reader to process and understand. This isn't just about aesthetics; it's a powerful tool for clarity, emphasis, and memorability. Without it, sentences can become awkward, confusing, and less impactful. For instance, a list of actions should ideally use the same verb form – all infinitives, all gerunds, or all past tense verbs, depending on the context. Similarly, when comparing or contrasting two ideas, presenting them in parallel structures ensures a fair and clear comparison.

Why Does Parallelism Matter? The Benefits of Balanced Prose

The impact of parallelism on your writing is multifaceted. Firstly, it significantly boosts clarity. When ideas are structured similarly, the reader can more easily grasp the relationships between them. This is particularly crucial in complex sentences or when presenting lists of information. Secondly, parallelism creates a pleasing rhythm and flow. Sentences with parallel structures often sound more natural and are more engaging to read, much like a well-composed piece of music. This rhythmic quality can make your writing more persuasive and memorable. Consider the famous line from John F. Kennedy's inaugural address: 'Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.' The parallel structure here, 'ask not X—ask Y,' makes the message incredibly powerful and easy to recall. Thirdly, parallelism emphasizes equality. When you list items or ideas in parallel form, you signal to the reader that these items are of equal importance. This is invaluable when you want to present a series of points without unintentionally elevating one over the others. Finally, it helps prevent grammatical errors. Striving for parallelism often forces you to review your sentence construction, catching potential inconsistencies that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Identifying Parallelism: Spotting the Pattern

Recognizing parallelism involves looking for specific grammatical patterns. The most common places to find it are in lists, comparisons, and correlative conjunctions. When you encounter a series of items joined by coordinating conjunctions (like 'and,' 'but,' 'or'), check if each item follows the same grammatical form. For example, if the first item is a noun, the subsequent items should also be nouns. If the first is a verb phrase, the others should be verb phrases. Similarly, when using subordinating conjunctions like 'than' or 'as' for comparisons, ensure the elements being compared are grammatically equivalent. The same applies to correlative conjunctions such as 'either...or,' 'neither...nor,' 'both...and,' and 'not only...but also.' The elements following each part of the conjunction should maintain a consistent structure. For instance, if 'not only' precedes a verb, 'but also' should ideally precede a verb as well.

• Lists: Look for items connected by conjunctions (and, or, but) or separated by commas.
• Comparisons: Examine sentences using 'than' or 'as' to see if the compared elements are structured alike.
• Correlative Conjunctions: Check the structure of the elements following pairs like 'either...or' or 'not only...but also.'
• Verb Tenses: Ensure verbs in a series or comparison use consistent tenses unless a shift is intentional and logical.
• Phrases and Clauses: Verify that phrases (prepositional, infinitive, gerund) and clauses (dependent, independent) are matched in structure when presented together.

Achieving Parallelism: Practical Techniques and Examples

Mastering parallelism requires practice and attention to detail. The key is to ensure that all elements in a series or comparison share the same grammatical form. This might involve adjusting verb tenses, changing nouns to gerunds, or restructuring phrases. Let's break down how to achieve this with common sentence structures.

Parallelism in Lists

Lists are perhaps the most common place where parallelism is needed. When you present three or more items, they should ideally be in the same grammatical form. Consider the following non-parallel example: The manager’s responsibilities include hiring staff, to train them, and performance reviews. Here, we have a gerund ('hiring'), an infinitive phrase ('to train'), and a noun phrase ('performance reviews'). This creates an uneven and slightly jarring effect. To correct this, we can make all items gerunds: The manager’s responsibilities include hiring staff, training them, and conducting performance reviews. Alternatively, we could make them all noun phrases, though this might require more significant restructuring: The manager’s responsibilities include staff hiring, employee training, and performance reviews. The gerund form often feels more active and is frequently preferred for lists of actions.

Parallelism in Comparisons

When comparing two things using 'than' or 'as,' ensure the elements being compared are grammatically equivalent. For instance: She enjoys reading books more than to watch movies. This sentence compares a gerund phrase ('reading books') with an infinitive phrase ('to watch movies'). To make it parallel: She enjoys reading books more than watching movies. Both elements are now gerund phrases, creating a clear and balanced comparison. Another example: The new software is easier to use than it was complicated. Here, 'easier to use' (adjective phrase) is compared to 'it was complicated' (clause). A parallel version would be: The new software is easier to use than it was difficult. Or, even more concisely: The new software is easier to use than the old one. This compares two noun phrases, maintaining parallelism.

Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions like 'either...or,' 'neither...nor,' 'both...and,' and 'not only...but also' require careful attention to parallelism. The structure following each part of the conjunction should be the same. He is interested in both painting and to sculpt. This is not parallel because 'painting' is a gerund, while 'to sculpt' is an infinitive. The correction: He is interested in both painting and sculpting. Both are gerunds. Another example: She decided not only to apply for the job but also she accepted it. Here, 'to apply for the job' is an infinitive phrase, while 'she accepted it' is an independent clause. A parallel structure would be: She decided not only to apply for the job but also to accept it. Both elements are infinitive phrases. Alternatively: She decided not only that she would apply for the job but also that she would accept it. Both elements are dependent clauses starting with 'that'.

• Ensure all items in a list share the same grammatical form (e.g., all nouns, all gerunds, all infinitives).
• When comparing elements with 'than' or 'as,' make sure the compared parts are grammatically equivalent.
• With correlative conjunctions (either/or, both/and, etc.), maintain consistent grammatical structure after each part of the conjunction.
• Check that verb tenses are consistent within a parallel structure unless a shift is clearly intended and grammatically sound.
• Review phrases (prepositional, infinitive, participial) and clauses (dependent, independent) to ensure they match in form when presented together.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even with the best intentions, writers can stumble when applying parallelism. One common issue is the 'mixed metaphor' or 'mixed structure,' where elements that seem parallel at first glance are actually different in kind or grammatical form. For example, 'The goal of the project is to finish on time, stay within budget, and the quality of the work.' Here, 'to finish' and 'stay' are infinitives, but 'the quality of the work' is a noun phrase. The fix would be to make all elements noun phrases ('timely completion,' 'budget adherence,' 'work quality') or, more likely, infinitive phrases ('to finish on time,' 'to stay within budget,' 'to ensure quality work'). Another pitfall is inconsistency in verb tense or voice within a parallel structure. If you're listing actions performed in the past, keep the past tense consistent. Similarly, if you start with active voice, try to maintain it unless a passive construction is necessary for emphasis or clarity. Overly complex sentences can also obscure parallelism. If a sentence becomes too convoluted, consider breaking it into shorter, clearer sentences, each employing parallelism effectively. Finally, don't force parallelism where it doesn't naturally fit. Sometimes, a slight variation in structure is acceptable if it enhances clarity or avoids awkwardness, but aim for parallelism as the default for balanced and impactful writing.

Conclusion: The Enduring Power of Parallel Structure

Parallelism is more than just a grammatical rule; it's a fundamental principle of effective communication. By employing parallel structures, you imbue your writing with clarity, rhythm, and emphasis, making your ideas more accessible and your arguments more persuasive. Whether you're drafting an academic paper, a business proposal, or a creative piece, consciously applying parallelism will elevate the quality and impact of your work. Regularly reviewing your sentences for parallel structure, especially in lists and comparisons, will help you develop a more polished and professional writing style. It’s a technique that, once mastered, becomes second nature, transforming ordinary prose into something truly compelling.