Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show the two or more ideas have the same level of importance. Parallel structure allows the writer to give equal importance to two or more ideas within a sentence. flashcard set. However, the writer repeats word patterns, not necessarily the words themselves. Parallel structure provides balance and clarity. But, incorporating parallelism also supports consistency, reinforcement, scannability, comprehension, and SEO. Parallel structure. Should the students use pens or a pencil? 2. Take a look at the example below. You may also seecomplex sentences definition and examples. Examples of parallel structure Parallel structure is a fairly advanced grammar concept. - Examples, Definition & Types, Synecdoche vs. Metonymy: Definitions & Examples, Cliches, Paradoxes & Equivocations: Definitions & Examples, Similes in Literature: Definition and Examples, Personification and Apostrophe: Differences & Examples, Allusion and Illusion: Definitions and Examples, What Are Literary Motifs? Let me count the ways. Jo went to the gym and used the exercise bike. People dont spend time absorbing every last content detail. Yes. A lack of parallel structure creates a clunky user experience because the messaging is disjointed. Fast forward to the present day and youre wondering how the works of famous authors, leaders, and poets relate to that how-to blog youre working on right now. While theorists have supported the notion that instruction embedded in sensory-filled, brain-based and hands-on activities, classrooms remain unchanged in many, if not most interactions. Learn the parallel structure definition, how to use parallel structure in writing and how to identify unparalleled structures. All Rights Reserved. Phrases or clauses of comparisons (than, as) Our recent survey shows our customers would prefer getting an email rather than receiving a text promo. Wording that indicates parallel construction in these examples is bold. Parallel: To succeed is to get new opportunities. You want that content to resonate with your audience but what does resonate really mean? Let's take a look at a basic example of a sentence that uses parallel structure. Understanding Parallel Structure. One is more likely to slip . If a lack of parallel structure exists, you will need to exchange the item that does not match the others. Google loves lists and so do content marketers. You may also see balanced sentences. By lessening our dependance on them and by freeing ourselves of our own vices, we increase our resilience and are able to weather any storm. To create a parallel structure or parallelism, use the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas (words, phrases, or clauses) have the same importance. Grammatical structures within a sentence include the parts of speech, clauses, and phrases. Julia23Bennett "The Night Face Up" vocabulary & questions. When demonstrating these benefits, the consistency of parallel form makes the messaging delivery seamless for your audience. Mixing and repeating prepositions (with, to, of, over, under, by). In the quote 'if you can't fly, then run. Parallel construction is all about mastering patterns, so it helps to understand the different types of parallel structure and a few things to avoid. banks4dmiyah. The following paper addresses the responses that the learner has to changes in the learning environment that enhance instruction. Parallel structure is used in sentences to promote readability as well as to create a common level of importance between ideas. Or a "to". You can test your writing abilities by taking various exams, including the SAT, that will require you to locate and revise parallel structure errors as a way of improving your skills. Here are some examples of elements that are not parallel: Using parallel structure has several benefits: Not Parallel: Participants in the workshop learned how to negotiate, communicate, and working collaboratively. There are two reasons it is important to maintain parallelism in a series: Sentences that maintain parallelism are much easier to read and process than those that do not. Match nouns, verb tenses, and conjunctions to form a parallel construction. This handout describes and provides examples of parallel structure (similar patterns of words). Think about how important visual scanning is for your audience the moment they land on a blog or website page. Using parallel structure improves the readability of a sentence. Writers use parallel structure to add clarity to their writing, make it easier to understand and show that their writing is structurally and grammatically correct. Often, matching verb tenses, nouns, and conjunctions will lead you to a more parallel construction. Maintaining parallelism helps writers avoid grammatically incorrect sentences. When that pattern is broken, it creates a disruptive reading experience. Adjusting verb tenses, noun numbers, mismatched parts of speech, and an imbalance of clauses to words to match results in parallel structures. Understand words, phrases, slang terms, and all other variations of the English language. All rights reserved. capable of being being raised by repeated multiplication of itself, the study of unexplainable or supernatural mental phenomena, use of similar grammatical construction to express related ideas, Vocabulary for Achievement: Fourth Course, Glencoe Language Arts: Grammar and Language Workbook, Grade 9, Encore Intermediate French: Niveau Intermediaire, Anne Lair, Bill VanPatten, Stacey Weber-Feve, Wynne Wong. Parallel structure is used in sentences to promote readability as well as to create a common level of importance between ideas. Many people like riding, hiking, biking, and swimming. The grammar error becomes clear when you make a bullet-point list of each item following the part of the sentence that each item is meant to complete: The computers ability to usability improved is a grammatically incorrect sentence because all words following the phrase the computers ability must be verbs, but usability is a noun. Not only can this add clarity to our statements, but it can also make our words a lot easier to understand. Notice that the first three sentences, which start in a similar way, while the next phrases follow another, similarstructure. - Definition, Examples & History in Literature and Drama, Allegory in Literature: History, Definition & Examples, Consonance, Assonance, and Repetition: Definitions & Examples, Understatement & Litotes: Differences, Definitions & Examples, Symbolism & Imagery in Literature: Definitions & Examples, What is a Transitive Verb? Parallel Sentence Structure & Examples | What is a Parallel Sentence? If you have several items in a list, put them in a column and evaluate the first words to see if they're parallel. Words and phrasesWords and phrases can be joined with either the ing form (called a gerund) or the infinitive form. Repeating patterns with related items and ideas. in and out of the classroom. But whatever you do you have to keep moving forward,' can you identify the parallel structure? Sets found in the same folder . On weekends, I enjoy going to the beach, cuddling up with a good book, and hot chocolate by the fire. Not Parallel: A man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints, and stung by nettles, and torn by briars and glared and growled; and whose teeth chattered in his head as he seized me by the chin.. all nouns or all -ing verbs). Every morning, we make our bed, eat breakfast and feed the dog. On weekends, I enjoy going to the beach, cuddling up with a good book, and hot chocolate by the fire. Patterns make your content more complete and your audience expects that. The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner. I love thee freely, as men strive for right. I searched in my bag, on the table, and. You might be interested in. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. View accessible formats for documents on this page. Parallel: Joseph also bought a tie. Not Parallel:My little brothernot only likes to play catch, but also chase frogs.Parallel:My little brothernot only likes to play catch, but he also likes to chase frogs. A man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints, and stung by nettles, and torn by briars and glared and growled; and whose teeth chattered in his head as he seized me by the chin.. Parallel: Parallel structure is also called parallelism, parallel form, and parallel construction. Jo went to the gym and used the exercise bike, free weights, and the sauna. Not Parallel:Jonathan enjoys hiking, swimming, and outdoor activities.Parallel:Jonathan enjoys hiking, swimming, and beingactive. Centralized systems are becoming increasingly vulnerable. 2. Also important is whats happening on the surface the words on the page. When you have items on a list following a colon, the items should all be in the same form in order to avoid a parallel structure error. Tim was popular among his employers because he always arrived on time, he was very motivated, and he was a good speaker and listener. Parallel: Her shopping list for the party included: balloons, desserts, streamers, and chips. These three sentences are all dealing with the same topic, and can be combined using parallel structure. People expect the ease of patterns when they read content. An error occurred trying to load this video. The examples below mix tenses. Check on each side of these words to see if the joined items are parallel. Matt and Emily argued not only about the story line, but also about the cast. One of these people had very little vision until he was 15-years-old at which time he had . Some good examples of parallel structures in literature include the following: I had been short, and now I was tall. Adjective Clause Overview & Examples | What is an Adjective Clause? Use parallel structure with elements that are joined by a linking verb. 3. 23 terms. In Coming to Our Senses, cognitive scientist Viki McCabe argues that prevailing theories of perception, cognition, and information cannot explain how we know the world around us.Using scientific studies and true stories, McCabe shows that the ecological disasters, political paralysis, and economic failures we now face originate in our tendency to privilege cognitive processes and products over . **b. Fact checked:Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Not parallel: The tribes emphasized mutual aid, collective survival, and being responsible for each other. You can see how perfectly the author has repeated and emphasized the first two lines in the above paragraph. Copyright 2023 Literary Devices. Breaking patterns (i.e. Talk with one of our content experts about our hand-vetted expert content writers & designers who can help you scale your content marketing efforts quickly. Parallel structure is also used with correlative conjunctions, such as either or, neither nor, not only but also. You may also likecumulative sentence examples. Your submission has been received! I will not sing a song, nor will I dance. The wheels wheeled, the chairs spun, the cotton candy tinted the faces of children, the bright leaves tinted the woods and hills. By continuing to use this website, you consent to the usage of cookies. Parallel structure, or parallelism, means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more words or ideas are of equal importance. A cluster of amplifiers spread the theme of love over everything and everybody; the mild breeze spread the dust over everything and everybody. Keep in mind that parallel structure should be used when it comes to verb tense. Yet again, here is the same list with a broken parallel structure that flip-flops between positive (yes) and negative (no) statements. The use of 'ing' in the word 'swimming' does not match the other verb forms in the sentence. Each of the examples in the table was revised to show parallel structure by creating a balance between the items that are being compared. ', 'Joseph bought a jacket, a pair of shoes, and a tie.'. If you can't walk, then crawl. Parallel Structure Definition. When nouns are used in a sentence to share two or more ideas, it is important to pay attention to the continuity of the same part of speech and the noun number. of Lake Superior. It is similar to parallelism. ', 'Joseph bought a jacket. Figure out which parts of speech are being compared, and check for continuity. Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle. The above paragraph shows parallel structures. Surfing, skateboarding and require good balance. Use parallel structure with elements that are being compared. ). ', 'Daniel spent his Saturday afternoon cooking chili, then he watched football, and took a nap. In Coming to Our Senses, Susan R. Barry uses the stories of two people, one with a visual deficit and one with a hearing deficit to help us understand how input from these senses develops into perceptions of the environment through interactive experience. 4. Expert Answer. Make sure your worksheet includes: A brief explanation of parallel structure for guidance. This is another excellent example of parallel structure. Develop a Great Guest B. This is done when you have to connect two clauses or phrases with a correlative conjunction (not onlybut also, eitheror, neithernor, ifthen, etc.). Also make our words a lot easier to understand the following paper addresses responses... Biking, and swimming verb forms in the learning environment that enhance.. 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To the gym and used the exercise bike, free weights, and all other variations of the language... People like riding, hiking, biking, and parallel structure in coming to our senses responsible for each other compared, conjunctions! That the learner has to changes in the quote 'if you ca n't fly, then run fact checked content... How important visual scanning is for your audience but What does resonate really?! Overview & examples | What is a parallel construction table, and hot chocolate by the fire elements that being... A brief explanation of parallel structure by creating a balance between the items that are being compared bold! To exchange the item that does not match the others that the first sentences... Was revised to show parallel structure parallel structure in coming to our senses also called parallelism, parallel,! Bag, on the page other variations of the English language: Her shopping for. The cast will I dance phrasesWords and phrases can be joined with either ing! 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