Which Of The Following Uses Parallel Structure

Which of the Following Uses Parallel Structure? A Deep Dive into Grammatical Parallelism

Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, is a powerful tool in writing that enhances clarity, readability, and stylistic impact. It involves using the same grammatical structure for multiple parts of a sentence or series of sentences to create a sense of balance and rhythm. Mastering parallel structure significantly improves the quality of your writing, making it more persuasive and engaging for your audience. This comprehensive guide will explore parallel structure in detail, examining its various forms and providing numerous examples to illustrate its correct and incorrect usage. We'll delve into how to identify parallel structure and how to effectively use it to elevate your writing.

Understanding Parallel Structure: The Basics

Parallel structure fundamentally involves maintaining consistency in grammatical form. This means that items in a list, elements in a comparison, or parts of a compound sentence should all follow the same grammatical pattern. This pattern can be anything from nouns to verbs, phrases to clauses – the key is maintaining uniformity. Failing to maintain parallel structure often results in awkward, confusing, and grammatically incorrect sentences.

Common Parallel Structure Patterns:

• Nouns: She enjoys swimming, running, and cycling. (All are gerunds)
• Verbs: He likes to read, write, and edit. (All are infinitives)
• Adjectives: The house is large, spacious, and beautiful. (All are adjectives)
• Adverb phrases: She works quickly and efficiently, thoroughly and meticulously, and always with precision. (All adverb phrases)
• Prepositional phrases: The book is on the table, under the lamp, and behind the chair. (All prepositional phrases)
• Clauses: She believes that exercise is important, that a healthy diet contributes to well-being, and that regular sleep is essential. (All subordinate clauses)

Identifying Parallel Structure: Examples and Non-Examples

Let's look at several examples to clearly illustrate the correct and incorrect use of parallel structure.

Correct Parallel Structure:

• Example 1: The teacher encouraged her students to be attentive, respectful, and engaged during class. (All are adjectives modifying "students")

• Example 2: *He spent his day reading books, watching movies, and listening to music. (All are gerunds)

• Example 3: *To succeed in life, you need to be determined, persistent, and patient. (All are adjectives)

• Example 4: She not only enjoys hiking in the mountains but also swimming in the ocean. (Both are gerund phrases)

Incorrect Parallel Structure (and how to fix it):

• Incorrect Example 1: *She likes to swim, running, and to cycle. (Inconsistent: one gerund, one present participle, one infinitive)

  • Corrected: *She likes to swim, run, and cycle. (All are verbs in the base form) OR She likes swimming, running, and cycling. (All are gerunds)

• Incorrect Example 2: *He is tall, strong, and has a good sense of humor. (Inconsistent: two adjectives, one prepositional phrase)

  • Corrected: *He is tall, strong, and humorous. (All are adjectives)

• Incorrect Example 3: *The goal is to increase sales, improve customer satisfaction, and to expand into new markets. (Inconsistent: two infinitives, one infinitive phrase)

  • Corrected: *The goal is to increase sales, improve customer satisfaction, and expand into new markets. (All are infinitives)

• Incorrect Example 4: *My favorite activities are to cook, knitting, and to garden. (Inconsistent: one infinitive, two gerunds)

  • Corrected: *My favorite activities are cooking, knitting, and gardening. (All are gerunds)

Parallel Structure in Lists and Series

Parallel structure is especially crucial when presenting lists or series. Inconsistent grammatical structure in a list immediately disrupts the flow and readability. Consider these examples:

Correct: The recipe called for flour, sugar, and eggs. (All nouns)

Incorrect: The recipe called for flour, to add sugar, and eggs. (Inconsistent: noun, infinitive phrase, noun) The corrected version would be: The recipe called for flour, sugar, and eggs. or The recipe required adding flour, sugar, and eggs.

This principle extends to more complex lists as well. Maintaining parallel structure even with longer phrases or clauses is vital for clarity.

Parallel Structure in Comparisons

Parallel structure is equally important when making comparisons using words like "than," "as," or "like." The elements being compared should have the same grammatical structure.

Correct: She is as intelligent as she is kind. (Both adjectives)

Incorrect: She is as intelligent as she is kind and compassionate. (One adjective, one adjective phrase) To correct it, you could use She is as intelligent as she is kind and compassionate. Or, She is as intelligent and kind as she is compassionate.

Parallel Structure in Compound Sentences

Parallel structure can also enhance compound sentences, especially those joined by coordinating conjunctions like "and," "but," "or," "nor," "for," "so," and "yet." The clauses on either side of the conjunction should ideally be parallel in structure.

Correct: He studied hard and achieved excellent results. (Both verb phrases)

Incorrect: He studied hard and his results were excellent. (One verb phrase, one complete sentence)

Importance of Parallel Structure in Writing

The consistent use of parallel structure offers several significant benefits:

• Improved Clarity: Parallelism makes your writing easier to understand by creating a clear, predictable pattern.

• Enhanced Readability: The rhythmic flow created by parallel structure improves the overall readability of your text.

• Stronger Emphasis: The repetition inherent in parallel structure can emphasize key ideas or concepts.

• Increased Persuasiveness: Well-structured parallel sentences are more persuasive and impactful than those lacking parallelism.

• More Professional Tone: Consistent use of parallel structure conveys professionalism and attention to detail.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Several common errors can hinder the effective application of parallel structure. Be mindful of these:

• Mixing parts of speech: Avoid mixing nouns with verbs, adjectives with adverbs, etc., within a parallel series.

• Inconsistent phrasing: Ensure that all items in a parallel structure use the same grammatical form (e.g., gerunds, infinitives, participles).

• Faulty conjunctions: Using incorrect conjunctions can disrupt the parallelism.

• Overusing parallelism: While parallelism is beneficial, overuse can sound repetitive or monotonous. Strive for a balance.

• Ignoring the correlative conjunctions: When using correlative conjunctions (such as not only…but also; either…or; neither…nor), maintain parallel structure on both sides of the conjunction.

Practical Applications and Exercises

The principles of parallel structure are applicable across various writing styles and contexts. From formal academic papers to casual blog posts, maintaining parallelism improves the overall quality of your writing.

To solidify your understanding, consider these practice exercises:

1. Identify the parallel structure in the following sentence: "The dog was playful, energetic, and affectionate."

2. Correct the following sentence: "She enjoys swimming, running, and to bike."

3. Rewrite the following sentence to incorporate parallel structure: "The benefits of exercise include improved cardiovascular health, weight loss, and reducing stress."

4. Construct a sentence using parallel structure that compares two contrasting ideas.

5. Write a short paragraph using at least three sentences that incorporate parallel structure effectively.

By diligently practicing these exercises and applying the principles discussed, you can significantly enhance the clarity, impact, and overall quality of your writing. Mastering parallel structure is a key step in becoming a more effective and skillful writer. Consistent application of these techniques will make your writing more compelling, professional, and ultimately, more successful in conveying your intended message. Remember that clear communication is the foundation of effective writing, and parallel structure plays a significant role in achieving this clarity.