Parallel Structures

Parallelism

What the heck is that? All language has a rhythm to it. This rhythm is like a drum pattern in a song; when it is consistent, the listeners can feel the patterns that are created. When patterns don't match, it becomes a jarring sensation. When writing or speaking, it means the use the same pattern of words to balance the text. It gives the language melody and harmony, and helps organize what you are saying.

And So . . . 

When joining a series of phrases, clauses, or whatever, you must keep the same forms throughout, from the word level to the paragraph level.

• Past tense and past tense
• Prepositional phrase and prepositional phrase
• Noun and Noun
• Adverb clause and adverb clauses
• etc.

Now let's look at some examples of what I mean.

Words and Phrases

The Gerund and infinitive

Joe likes biking, walking, and hiking.
or
Joe likes to bike, walk, and hike (also Joe likes to bike, to walk, and to hike.).

Notice that the forms are all the same; you cannot mix them!

 Not parallel:
Joe likes biking, walking, and to hike in the mountains.  NO!  

Parallel:
Joe likes biking, walking and hiking in the mountains.

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Not Parallel:

The manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner.
Parallel:
The manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.
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Not Parallel:                                                                                                                                         The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exams, completed his homework in a careless manner, and his motivation was low.

Parallel:                                                                                                                                           
The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exams, completed his homework in a careless manner, and lacked motivation.

Clauses

Not Parallel:
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.

Parallel:
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.

Also Parallel:
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, not eat too much, and do some warm-up exercises before the game.

Parallel Structures with Paired Conjunctions

Errors in parallel structure often occur with paired conjunctions: either … or; neither … nor; both … and; not only … but also; whether … or.

The grammatical structure following the second half of the pair should mirror the grammatical structure following the first half.

Not Parallel: 

The scientists disputed not only the newspaper article but also they disputed the university's official statement.

(faulty parallelism: phrase with clause)

Parallel:

The scientists disputed not only the newspaper article but also the university's official statement.
(parallel: phrase with phrase)

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Parallel:

Either I like the job or I don't like it.
(parallel: clause matched with clause)

Either I like the job or I don't.
(parallel: clause matched with clause)

Not Parallel:

Either I like the job or not.
(faulty parallelism: clause matched with adverb)
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Parallel:

I have neither the patience to complete it nor the desire to complete it. 

(parallel: noun phrase with noun phrase)

Not Parallel:

I have neither the patience to complete it nor do I desire to complete it.

(faulty parallelism: phrase matched with clause)

Conclusion

So, what do I do to check for errors?

When proofreading, check the conjunctions. Make sure that both sides match in grammar. If you have lists, double-check them!

Listen to the sounds of the sentence as you repeat it. Do you hear the same sounds repeating? If not, then something is wrong.