Parallelism Grammar Examples

A. Parallel Structure in Series

In all patterns ideas or equal importance should be expressed by the same grammatical structure. Avoid expressing ideas in a series by different structure.

Examples of Parallel Structure in Series :

• Incorrect : Jane is young, enthusiastic, and she has talent.
• Correct : Jane is young, enthusiastic, and talented.

• Incorrect : We learned to read the passages carefully and underlining the main ideas.
• Correct : We learned to read the passages carefully and to underline the main ideas.

• Incorrect : The duties of the new secretary are to answer the telephone, to type letters, and book keeping.
• Correct : The duties of the new secretary are to answer the telephone, to type letters, and to do the book keeping.

• Incorrect : The patient's symptoms were fever, dizziness, and his head hurt.
• Correct : The patient's symptoms were fever, dizziness, and headaches.

• Incorrect : Professor William enjoys teaching and to write.
• Correct : Professor William enjoys teaching and writing.

B. Parallel after Correlative Conjunctions

Remember that ideas of equal importance are introduce by correlative conjunction :

• Both ... and
• Not only ... but also

Avoid expressing ideas after correlative conjunction by different structures.

Examples of Parallel after Correlative Conjunctions :

• Incorrect : She is not only famous in the United States, but also abroad.
• Correct : She is famous not only in the United States, but also abroad.

• Incorrect : The exam tested both listening and to read.
• Correct : The exam tested both listening and reading.

• Incorrect : He is not only intelligent but also he is creative.
• Correct : He is not only intelligent but also creative.

• Incorrect : Flying is not only faster but also it is safer than traveling by car.
• Correct : Flying is not only faster but also safer than traveling by car.

• Incorrect : John registered for both Electrical Engineering 500 and study Mathematics 390.
• Correct : John registered for both Electrical Engineering 500 and Mathematics 390.