Postgraduate Institute of Management
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
MBA UAE 503: Business Communication
Session 9
Part II
Writing Skills - Advanced
Parallelism in Writing
Lalith Weeratunga
([email protected])
May 3, 2019
What is Parallelism?
Parallelism in writing means that similar parts in a
sentence (2 or more) must have the same structure.
• Their parts are comparable and balanced.
• Allows writing to flow smoothly and helps avoid
misunderstandings.
Use nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, and phrases
with phrases.
When similar parts do not follow the same structure,
you have created Faulty Parallelism.
2
Understanding Parallelism
Use similar structures to express similar ideas.
• Put nouns with nouns
Faulty: I enjoy basketball more than playing video games. X
Correct: I enjoy basketball more than video games.
• Put verbs with verbs (and use same tense)
Faulty: On our anniversary, we ate, danced, and were singing. X
Correct: On our anniversary, we ate, danced, and sang.
• Put adjectives with adjectives
Faulty: My history class was both interesting and a challenge. X
Correct: My history class was both interesting and challenging.
3
Parallelism in Pairs and Lists
When you present two or more items in a series joined by and or
or, use similar form for each item.
I am doing well in my English class, in my math class, and in history. X
I am doing well in my English class, in my math class, and my history class. X
Correct: I am doing well in my English class, in my math class, and in my
history class.
The professor assigned a chapter to read, practices to do, and writing a
paper. X
Correct: The professor assigned a chapter to read, practices to do, and a
paper to write.
4
(1) Parallelism in Comparisons
In comparisons, the items being compared must have parallel
structure.
Comparisons often use the word than or as. When you edit for
parallelism, make sure that the items on either side of those
words are parallel.
Driving downtown is as fast as the bus. X
Correct: Driving downtown is as fast as taking the bus.
To admit a mistake is better than denying it. X
Correct :To admit a mistake is better than to deny it.
Admitting a mistake is better than denying it.
5
(2) Parallelism in Comparisons
Sometimes you need to add or delete a word or two to make the
parts of a sentence parallel.
A tour package is less expensive than arranging every travel detail
yourself. X
Buying a tour package is less expensive than arranging every travel
detail yourself. [word added to ensure parallelism]
The sale price of the shoes is as low as paying the regular price for
two pairs. X
The sale price of the shoes is as low as the regular price for two pairs.
[word dropped to ensure parallelism]
6
(1) Parallelism with Certain Paired Words
When a sentence uses certain paired words, called correlative
conjunctions, the items joined by them must be parallel.
These words link two equal elements and show the relationship
between them. Here are the paired words:
▪ both . . . and
▪ neither . . . nor
▪ rather . . . than
▪ either . . . or
▪ not only . . . but also
When you use the first part of a pair, be sure you always use the
second part, too. 7
(2) Parallelism with Certain Paired Words
Bruce wants both freedom and to be wealthy. X
[Both is used with and, but the items joined by them are not parallel.]
Parallel
Bruce wants both freedom and wealth.
Bruce wants both to have freedom and to be wealthy.
________________________________________________________
He can neither fail the course and quitting his job is also
impossible. X
Parallel
He can neither fail the course nor quit his job.
8
(3) Parallelism with Certain Paired Words
My history course is both interesting and a challenge. X
Correct: My history course is both interesting and challenging.
You must either obtain a C in the course or taking it again will be
the consequence. X
Correct:You must either obtain a C in the course or take it again.
I would rather work hard and pass than to repeat the course. X
Correct: I would rather work hard and pass than repeat the course.
9
Items in a series must have
parallel structure.
Parallelism looks like this:
, , and .
, , and .
10
Don’t create problems by mixing
grammatical elements.
Non-parallel structure looks like this:
, , and .
, , and .
11
Exercise
1. The boutique is known for its variety of styles, for its
haughty salespersons, and modern new designs.
2. The police car sped up the street, its lights flashing, its
siren wailing, and racing its engine.
3. I find playing tennis to be better exercise than volleyball.
4. John not only has bought a CD player but also an MP3
player.
5. Maria is beautiful, arrogant, and has been spoiled by her
parents.
6. My neighbour wants either to resurface his driveway or
be painting his house.
7. Jayantha plans to attend university, study biology, and
being accepted into medical school.
8. Neither is the newspaper column timely nor interesting.
9. Lisa enjoys working for a large corporation for its many
chances for advancement, for its excitement, and because
of its many fringe benefits.
10. The research paper was not acceptable because it was
late, it was too short, and needed typing.
The End
