To maintain clarity, words or phrases in a list should be in
similar (or parallel) form.
Don’t mix apples with oranges. Imagine a non-parallel sentence
looking like this:
I am going to /, /, and ~.
A parallel sentence would look like this:
I am going to /, /, and /.
Another
factor that creates non-parallel lists is when the base of the sentence (the
noun and verb) is awkwardly restated or changed in the list. Consider this
non-parallel sen-tence as a whole, then broken up:
Not parallel: I need to go to the store, drop off the
mail, and the car needs to be
washed.
I
need to go to
the store.
I
need to drop
off the mail.
I
need to the car needs to be washed.
Notice how the
base of the sentence “I need to” is changed later in the list: “the car needs
to be.”An effective way to avoid this change of subject and verb is to imagine
list-ing each item separately before combining the list:
I
need to go to
the store.
I
need to drop
off the mail.
I
need to wash
the car.
Parallel: I need to go to the store,
drop off the mail, and wash the car.
When fixing this
mistake, it usually doesn’t matter which form you choose, as long as it is consistent.
Not
parallel: In my free time, I like singing and to play the piano.
Parallel:
In my free time, I like singing and playing the piano.
Also
parallel: In my free time, I like to sing and play the piano.
Résumés
Items in separate lists should also be parallel. This problem often
occurs in résumés, and reflects poorly on the applicant.
Not
parallel:
Leadership
Experience
•
Volunteered as a
reading tutor at Sunnyside Elementary
•
Served as
student body president
•
I
have worked as a mentor at a school for
troubled youth Parallel:
Leadership
Experience
•
Volunteered as a
reading tutor at Sunnyside Elementary
•
Served as
student body vice president
•
Worked as a
mentor at a school for troubled youth
Parallel Structure—Exercise A
Correct the following sentences
for parallelism. Not all sentences require correction.
1. I like the ocean better than going to a lake.
2. I love going to the beach, playing in the sand, and
to swim in the ocean.
3. Ice cream tastes the best when it is not too
frozen, melted, or tastes too sweet.
4. Lying out in the sun, eating hot dogs, and drinking lemonade are the best beach activities.
5. Remember to pack the sunscreen, towels, and make
sure you have water.
6. I find
it the most fun when my family, best friends, and dog all come along.
7. My friend not only knows how to surf, but also
scuba diving.
8. To him, to surf is to live life to the fullest.
9. Learning
surfing and how to scuba dive are both on my bucket list.
10. Some of the best advantages the
beach offers are cute lifeguards and good food.
