WEEK 6 – Parallel Structure

WEEK 6 – Parallel Structure

            One of the ways writers can improve their writing is to use parallel structure when the text demands the use of a coordinating conjunction to join words, phrases, or clauses; also, when the text demands items in a series (three or more); and finally when the text demands the use of correlative conjunctions.  In each of these three cases, the writer is obligated to “express himself in the same grammatical form,” pairing like items together.  Parallel structure is also effective with comparisons.

Using parallel structure consists of writing using like grammatical terms.  ‘Like grammatical terms” means nouns with nouns, gerund phrases with gerund phrases, etc.

            Examples:

–   Wrong:  Prevent dust buildup by cleaning your computer monthly and dust your house weekly.

–   Corrected:  Prevent dust buildup by cleaning your computer monthly and by dusting your house weekly.

–   OR:  Clean your computer monthly and dust your house weekly in order to prevent dust buildup.

–   Wrong:  I love to read and writing.

–   Corrected:  I love to read and to write.

–   OR:  I love reading and writing.

USING COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS IN PARALLEL STRUCTURE

“Coordinating” means equivalent.  When a coordinating conjunction is used, those elements must be the same grammatical form.  Items (words, phrases, clauses, and sentences) in a series (three or more) demand the use of parallel structure.

Words in a Series

Examples:

–   Wrong:  Most students consider the SAT impossible, useless, and a waste of time. (adj., adj., & noun)

–   Corrected:  Most students consider the SAT impossible, useless, and wasteful.  (adj., adj., & adj.)

–   Wrong:  Tony considers himself a good father, a loving husband, and in a good occupation.  (noun, noun, prep. phrase)

–   Corrected  Tony considers himself a good father, a loving husband, and a hard worker. (noun, noun, noun)

Phrases in a Series

Prepositional, gerund, participial, and infinitive phrases by simple definition are groups of words that do not contain a verb, although the last three will have words resembling verbs (designated as verbals).  When phrases are used, each must be the same, grammatically as the others.

Prepositional Phrase

Example:

–   Wrong:  Over the river, through the woods, and climbing the mountain, we trekked to grandmother’s house.  (prep. phrase, prep. phrase, verb)

–   Corrected:  Over the river, through the woods, and up the mountain, we trekked to grandmother’s house.  (prep. phrase, prep. phrase, prep. phrase)

Gerund (Noun) Phrase

Example:

–   Wrong:  Rushing the quarterback, protecting their own players, and when they recovered a fumble won the game for the Colts.  (gerund, gerund, participial phrase)

–   Corrected:  Rushing the quarterback, protecting their own players, and when they recovered a fumble won the game for the Colts.  (gerund, gerund, participial phrase)

Participial Phrase

Example:

–   Wrong:  Captain Ahab, pacing the deck, while he was exhorting his crew, and seeking only one thing, turned the Pequod into a nightmare for the mates and the crew.  (part. phrase, adverb clause, part. phrase)

–   Corrected:  Captain Ahab, pacing the deck, exhorting his crew, and seeking only one thing, turned the Pequod into a nightmare for the mates and the crew.  (part. phrase, part. phrase,, part. phrase)

Infinitive Phrases

Infinitive phrases are the most complicated only because they can be used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. 

Examples:

Nouns:  To pet a cat, to sit in the woods, and to handle weeds makes one itchy.

Adjectives:  Kathy developed a plan to ride her bike, to clip coupons, and to budget for vacations.

Adverbs:  For punishment, I was made to sit in the corner, to read a grammar book, and to write essays.

Clauses in a Series

Examples:

Adjective Clauses:  The crew of the ship was composed of men (who drank great quantities of beer on land,) (who lived wildly while not at sea,) but (who knew their business and toiled bravely in the terrible conditions of the sea.)

Noun Clauses:  (The Joe Dimaggio connected himself to the Mafia,) (that he carried the Yankees to a record number of World Series wins,) and (that he attracted beautiful women define him as a complicated character.)

Adverb Clauses:  Mark Twain reigns as an unforgettable literary figure because he traveled the Mississippi River,) (because he wrote for newspapers,) and (because he lectured about his many books.)

Sentences in a Series

Sentences in a series are actually compound sentences.  The writer can string as many  sentences together as he wants, as many as he needs to convey ideas.  When combining a series (three or more) it must remain parallel.

USING CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS IN PARALLEL STRUCTURE

The correlative conjunctions include either … or, neither … not, etc.  “Correlative” means that these pairs of words always go together and that they join two items only.  To use these correlative conjunctions correctly, the writer must place the same grammatical forms after each words in the pair.

Example:

–   Since the field trip has been postponed, the students will either go to the gym or go to their homerooms.

Words with Correlative Conjunctions

            Examples:

–   The man remained not only calm but also cool during the traffic accident. (two adjectives)

–   Neither snow nor sleet can keep the postman from his appointed rounds. (two nouns)

–   My rich uncle will leave his fortune to either him or me. (two pronouns)

Phrases with Correlative Conjunctions

Examples:

–   Instant replay is popular not only with the fans but also with the coaches.  (two prep. phrases)

–   We prevented erosion by both digging a trench and rerouting the water.  (two gerund phrases)

–   Whether sailing at Lake Pepin or skiing at Welch Village, my family always enjoys themselves.  (two participial phrases)

–   Because the plane was low on fuel, the pilot did not know whether to land in the farmer’s field or to try making the airport.  (two infinitive phrases)

Clauses with Correlative Conjunctions

Examples:

–   Newport, Rhode Island, shines in the summer not only because yachtsmen from all over the world bring their vessels to the harbor but also because the tourist trade is in full swing.  (two adverb clauses)

–   Because the scores of the top scholars were so close, the academic prize went to either whoever had the highest English score or whoever scored the best in math.  (two noun clauses)

Using words, phrases, clauses and sentences in parallel structure shows maturity in writing and a definite grasp of grammar.  Using parallel structures also clears up incorrect or awkward comparisons.