PARALLELISM
The principle of parallel construction requires that expressions of similar content and function should be outwardly similar. The likeness of form enables the reader to recognize more readily the likeness of content and function. Unskillful writers often violate this principle, from a mistaken belief that they should constantly vary the form of their expressions. It is true that in repeating a statement in order to emphasize it writers may have need to vary its form. But apart from this, writers should follow carefully the principle of parallel construction.
Faulty Parallelism:
Formerly, science was taught by the textbook method, while now the laboratory method is employed.
Corrected Version:
Formerly, science was taught by the textbook method; now it is taught by the laboratory method.
The first version gives the impression that the writer is undecided. The second version shows the writer has made a choice and is abiding by it.
By this principle, an article or a preposition applying to all the members of a series must either be used only before the first term or else be repeated before each term.
Faulty Parallelism Corrected Version
The French, the Italians, Spanish, and Portuguese The French, the Italians, the Spanish, and the Portuguese
In spring, summer, or in winter In spring, summer, or winter (In spring, in summer, or in winter)
Faulty Parallelism Corrected Version
It was both a long ceremony and very tedious. The ceremony was both long and tedious.
Faulty Parallelism Corrected Version
My income is smaller than my wife. My income is smaller than my wife's.
Practice: Rewrite the following sentences, correcting the faulty parallelism:
1. Jackson promised to be more careful and that he would work more slowly.
2. No one enjoyed the haying, the milking or to plow except Bill.
3. Mark is not only talented as a musician but also at acting.
4. I’d rather go skiing than to sightsee.
5. Jenny is easygoing, soft-spoken and has patience.
6. To sing with a rock group and making lots of money was her big dream.
7. Steven will either enlist in the Navy or learning computer programming.
8. These pears are ripe, juicy and have a sweet taste.
9. The ranger warned us to dress warmly and that we should keep dry.
10. Making a decision and to stick to it was something Bob couldn’t do.
* This week you will choose a sentence from above that has not been posted and correct it.
7 comments:
1) Jackson promised to be more careful and work more slowly.
2.
Original: No one enjoyed the haying, the milking, or to plow except Bill.
Re-write: No one enjoyed the haying, the milking, or the plowing except for Bill.
Faulty Parallelism: 5. Jenny is easygoing, soft-spoken and has patience.
Corrected Version: 5. Jenny is easygoing, soft-spoken, and patient.
#7
Original: Steven will either enlist in the Navy or learning computer programming.
Re-written: Steven will enlist in the Navy or learn about computer programming.
3) Mark is talented as a musician and an actor.
Jordan Zuniga
8.
Original: These pears are ripe, juicy and have a sweet taste.
New: These pears are ripe, juicy, and have a sweet taste.
10) Original: Making a decision and to stick to it was something Bob couldn’t do.
10) Re-written: Bob couldn't make a decision and stick to it.
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