Mastering Parallel Construction In English Grammar

Parallel construction, also known as parallelism, is a fundamental principle of English grammar that enhances clarity, flow, and readability in writing. It involves using the same grammatical structure for similar ideas or elements within a sentence. This creates a sense of balance and rhythm, making your writing more persuasive and engaging. This article delves deep into the concept of parallel construction, exploring its importance, common errors, and how to effectively implement it in your writing.

Understanding Parallel Construction

At its core, parallel construction is about maintaining consistency in grammatical form when presenting related ideas. This means that if you start a list with a noun, the other items in the list should also be nouns. Similarly, if you use a verb phrase, ensure the subsequent items follow the same verb phrase structure. This uniformity helps readers easily grasp the relationship between the elements and reduces cognitive strain. Effective parallel construction makes your writing more concise and impactful.

For instance, consider these sentences:

• Not Parallel: I enjoy reading books, going for a hike, and to watch movies.
• Parallel: I enjoy reading books, going for a hike, and watching movies.

The first sentence uses a mix of gerund phrases (reading books, going for a hike) and an infinitive phrase (to watch movies), disrupting the parallel structure. The revised sentence maintains parallelism by using gerund phrases for all three items, creating a smoother and more coherent flow. The principle of parallelism extends beyond simple lists. It applies to various sentence structures, including compound sentences, comparisons, and correlative conjunctions. Mastering parallel construction is crucial for clear and effective communication.

Why is Parallel Construction Important?

Parallel construction is not just a matter of grammatical correctness; it significantly impacts the overall quality of your writing. The following highlights the importance of using parallel structures:

Enhances Clarity

Parallelism makes your writing easier to understand. When elements are presented in a consistent grammatical form, readers can quickly identify the relationships between them. This reduces ambiguity and ensures that your message is conveyed clearly and effectively. For example, instead of writing, "She likes to sing, dancing, and acting," using parallel construction allows for a clearer sentence: "She likes singing, dancing, and acting." This small adjustment makes a big difference in comprehension. The clear, parallel structure highlights that all three activities are equally favored.

Improves Flow and Rhythm

Parallel structures create a sense of balance and rhythm in your writing. This makes your sentences flow more smoothly and sound more pleasing to the ear. The consistent grammatical pattern establishes a rhythm that enhances readability and keeps the reader engaged. Consider the impact of a speech that uses parallelism effectively. The repetition of structure can create a powerful, memorable effect. This rhythmic quality is a key reason why parallel construction is a favorite technique in persuasive writing and public speaking.

Emphasizes Ideas

By placing similar ideas in parallel structures, you emphasize their connection and importance. This technique helps to highlight the key points you want to convey and makes your writing more impactful. When elements are presented in a balanced, parallel manner, they carry equal weight and significance. This is particularly useful when you want to stress a series of related concepts or actions. Emphasizing ideas through parallelism is a powerful tool for persuasive and effective communication.

Increases Credibility

Using parallel construction demonstrates attention to detail and a command of grammar. This enhances your credibility as a writer and makes your writing more persuasive. Errors in grammar can detract from your message and make you appear less professional. By mastering parallel construction, you show that you are a skilled communicator, which can significantly boost your reputation and influence. Your audience is more likely to trust and respect your ideas when they are presented with grammatical precision.

Common Errors in Parallel Construction

While the concept of parallel construction seems straightforward, errors can easily creep into your writing. Recognizing these common pitfalls is the first step toward avoiding them.

Mixing Grammatical Forms

One of the most frequent errors is mixing grammatical forms within a list or series. This typically involves combining nouns, verbs, adjectives, or phrases in an inconsistent manner. For instance, a sentence like "He enjoys swimming, to bike, and running" is incorrect because it mixes a gerund (swimming) with an infinitive (to bike) and another gerund (running). The corrected version would be "He enjoys swimming, biking, and running," maintaining the gerund form throughout. Avoiding mixed grammatical forms is essential for clear and concise writing.

Misusing Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions (e.g., both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also) require parallel structures. The elements following each part of the conjunction should be grammatically equivalent. A common error is to mismatch these elements, such as in the sentence "She is not only intelligent but also has a great personality." The correct version is "She is not only intelligent but also personable," ensuring both elements are adjectives. Proper use of correlative conjunctions is crucial for maintaining parallelism and clarity.

Omitting Necessary Words

Sometimes, writers omit words that are necessary to maintain parallel structure. This often happens in comparisons or lists. For example, "She likes cats more than dogs" is ambiguous because it could mean she likes cats more than she likes dogs, or she likes cats more than dogs like cats. To clarify, you can write "She likes cats more than she likes dogs" or "She likes cats more than dogs do." Avoiding omissions ensures that your comparisons and lists are clear and grammatically sound.

Faulty Comparisons

Comparisons should always be parallel. This means that you should compare like with like. A common error is to compare a noun with a possessive noun or a noun with a phrase. For instance, the sentence "The population of Tokyo is greater than Los Angeles" is incorrect because it compares the population of Tokyo with the city of Los Angeles. The corrected version would be "The population of Tokyo is greater than that of Los Angeles," comparing populations. Ensuring parallel comparisons is vital for logical and accurate writing.

How to Achieve Parallel Construction

Achieving parallel construction is a skill that improves with practice. Here are some strategies to help you master this important grammatical principle.

Identify Lists and Series

The first step is to identify lists and series in your writing. These are the most common places where parallel construction is needed. Look for sentences that contain multiple items connected by conjunctions like and, or, or but. Once you've identified these lists, you can check whether the elements are in parallel form. Identifying lists is the foundation for effective parallel construction.

Use the Same Grammatical Form

Once you've identified a list or series, ensure that all elements have the same grammatical form. If the first item is a noun, the subsequent items should also be nouns. If the first item is a verb phrase, the other items should follow the same verb phrase structure. Consistency is key to maintaining parallel structure. For example, in the sentence "He enjoys hiking, fishing, and to camp," the phrase "to camp" should be changed to "camping" to match the gerund form of the other items.

Pay Attention to Correlative Conjunctions

When using correlative conjunctions, make sure that the elements following each part of the conjunction are grammatically parallel. This often requires careful planning and attention to detail. For example, with not only…but also, ensure that the words following each part of the conjunction are of the same type (e.g., adjectives, nouns, verb phrases). Correlative conjunctions demand strict parallelism for clarity and correctness.

Read Your Writing Aloud

Reading your writing aloud can help you identify instances of non-parallel construction. Your ear will often catch inconsistencies that your eye might miss. Sentences that sound awkward or choppy may indicate a lack of parallelism. Reading aloud is a valuable tool for refining your writing and ensuring grammatical accuracy.

Seek Feedback

Asking others to review your writing can also help you identify errors in parallel construction. A fresh pair of eyes can often spot inconsistencies that you may have overlooked. Constructive feedback is invaluable for improving your writing skills and mastering parallel construction.

Examples of Parallel Construction in Action

To further illustrate the concept, let's look at some examples of parallel construction in sentences:

Correct Examples

• She enjoys reading, writing, and painting. (All gerunds)
• The job requires someone who is organized, efficient, and detail-oriented. (All adjectives)
• He walked to the store, bought some milk, and returned home. (All past tense verbs)
• Not only is she intelligent, but also she is kind. (Parallel adjectives following correlative conjunctions)
• Either you finish the project, or you will fail the course. (Parallel clauses following correlative conjunctions)

Incorrect Examples and Corrections

• Incorrect: She likes to sing, dancing, and to act.
• Correct: She likes to sing, to dance, and to act. (Parallel infinitives)
• Correct: She likes singing, dancing, and acting. (Parallel gerunds)
• Incorrect: He is interested in history, science, and the study of literature.
• Correct: He is interested in history, science, and literature. (Parallel nouns)
• Incorrect: The instructions were unclear, lengthy, and they confused me.
• Correct: The instructions were unclear, lengthy, and confusing. (Parallel adjectives)

Conclusion

Parallel construction is a cornerstone of effective writing. By using parallel structures, you enhance clarity, improve flow, emphasize ideas, and increase your credibility as a writer. While errors in parallel construction are common, they can be avoided with careful attention to detail and consistent practice. Mastering parallel construction is an investment in your communication skills that will pay dividends in both your personal and professional life. Embrace parallelism as a key tool in your writing arsenal, and you'll see a marked improvement in the quality and impact of your work. The key to effective communication lies in clarity and precision, and parallel construction is a powerful way to achieve both.

Rewrite the Question and Answer

Original Question: Select the sentence that uses correct parallel construction. A. The student body president would organize pep rallies and getting better food in the cafeteria. B. Sheila visited Paris last summer and climbed the Eiffel tower. C. Keith wanted to go out

Rewritten Question: Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct parallel construction?

Answer Analysis:

• A. The student body president would organize pep rallies and getting better food in the cafeteria.
  • Analysis: This sentence does not use parallel construction correctly. The phrase "organize pep rallies" is an infinitive phrase (to organize), but "getting better food in the cafeteria" is a gerund phrase. To correct it, both parts should be in the same form. A possible correction is: "The student body president would organize pep rallies and improve the food in the cafeteria."
• B. Sheila visited Paris last summer and climbed the Eiffel Tower.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses parallel construction correctly. Both "visited Paris" and "climbed the Eiffel Tower" are past tense verbs, maintaining parallelism.
• C. Keith wanted to go out...
  • Analysis: This sentence is incomplete and doesn't provide enough information to assess parallel construction. More context is needed.

Therefore, the sentence that uses correct parallel construction is B.