Nonrestrictive Elements And Parallel Structure

Parallel Construction Examples

Parallel structure, or parallelism, means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more words or ideas are of equal importance. Words and phrases inside a sentence should non merely match in structure, but too in tense. Writers employ parallel structure to add clarity to their writing, brand information technology easier to sympathise and show that their writing is structurally and grammatically correct. Explore parallel structure examples to better understand the concept.

parallel structure example sentence

Parallel Structure With Coordinating Conjunctions

Parallel structure should exist used when y'all connect clauses with a coordinating conjunction such as: for, and, nor, or, but, so, or yet in a sentence.

Correct Examples

The words that point parallel structure are marked in bold.

Every morning, we make our bed, swallow breakfast and feed the dog.
I will not sing a song, nor volition I dance.

Incorrect Examples

The terms that should be parallel, but are not, are italicized.

Every morning, we brand our bed, eating breakfast and feed the dog. ("Eating" does not lucifer "make" or "feed" in structure.)
I will not sing a song, nor dance. (tThe writer used "will" with "not," so too needs to use "will" with nor.)

Parallel Structure With Correlative Conjunctions

Parallel structure is also used with correlative conjunctions, such as either ... or, neither ... nor, not simply ... but also.

Correct Examples

The words that indicate parallel structure are marked in bold.

They argued not but about the article but also about the review.
Either she likes to run across him or she doesn't like to run into him.

Incorrect Examples

The errors in the following examples are italicized.

They argued non simply about the commodity, simply they argued also about the review. (The phrase "they argued" should non be hither; it keeps the second part of the judgement from being parallel with the first.)
Either she likes to see him or doesn't like seeing him. ("Likes to see" should exist used with "doesn't like to come across" or "doesn't like to see" should be used with "likes to see", but the two structures shouldn't be mixed. )

Right Examples

The terms that bespeak parallel construction are marked in bold.

Ashley likes to ski, to swim and to bound.
She likes to dance and to sing songs.

Girl swimming in a pool as parallel structure examples

Incorrect Examples

The problematic areas are italicized below.

Ashley likes to ski, to swim and jump. (There needs to be a "to" between "and" and "jump," to be parallel with the other items. )
She likes dancing and to sing songs. (This should pair "to dance" with "to sing" so the infinitive class is used throughout the sentence.)

Parallel Structure With -ing Endings

Be consistent and employ parallel structure with words that end in -ing.

Correct Examples

The bold words indicate that parallel construction is used correctly.

Joe likes running, walking and existence active.
We enjoy relaxing and sitting out in the sun.

Incorrect Examples

The words that should be parallel but aren't are shown in italics hither.

Joe likes running, walking and outdoor activities. ("Running" and "walking" are parallel with each other, but "outdoor activities" is non parallel. Use "participating in outdoor activities" or similar.)
We enjoy relaxing and like to sit out in the sun. (The italicized phrases are not parallel; they should both include verbs that end in -ing.)

Parallel Structure With Clauses

Parallel structure should exist used when writing clauses.

Correct Examples

The bold terms illustrate parallel construction between the clauses.

The teacher told them that they need to written report and that they should practice their words every night.
My parents said get a proficient instruction and do non settle for less.

Incorrect Examples

In these examples, the clauses practice non illustrate parallel construction. The problem diction is highlighted.

The teacher told them to report and that they should practice their words every nighttime. (This sentence should either include "that they" in both clauses, similar the correct example above, or it should include the word "said" between "that" and "they.")
My parents said to get a skilful education and not settle for less. (Here, the give-and-take "to" should be included earlier "not" in the italicized text.)

Parallel Structure in Lists With Colons

When y'all have items on a list following a colon, the items should all be in the same form in club to avert a parallel structure error.

Correct Examples

Wording that indicates parallel construction in these examples is bold.

The following activities tin be done at the mall: ownership groceries, eating tiffin and paying bills.
In your bedroom, you volition observe the following: a bed, a closet and a desk-bound.

Incorrect Examples

The problematic wording in these examples is highlighted in italics.

The post-obit activities tin be done at the mall: buying groceries, eating lunch and bill payment. ("Bill payment" should be written as "paying bills" in order to prove parallel construction.)
In your bedroom, you will find the following: a bed, a closet and, sitting at a desk. (You shouldn't listing two nouns with an activity in this blazon of listing. It could read, "a bed, a closet, and a desk if that is what the writer ways. If the writer wants to describe someone sitting at a desk, that should exist part of a new sentence. )

Parallel Structure in Other Lists

Even when a colon isn't used to introduce a list, parallel construction is important.

Correct Examples

The terms that class parallel construction in these sentences are bold.

Mary wanted to make sure that she made her presentation creatively, effectively and persuasively.
Tim was considered to be a skillful employee because he was always on time, he was very motivated and he was a good leader.

Incorrect Examples

Parallel constructor errors are italicized.

Mary wanted to make sure she fabricated her presentation creatively, finer and persuaded others. ("Persuaded others" is not parallel with the other list items.)
Tim was considered to exist a good employee because he was ever on fourth dimension, he was very motivated and led the team well. ("Led the team well" is not parallel with the other list items.)

Parallel Structure in Verb Tense

Keep in mind that parallel structure should be used when it comes to verb tense. Your verb tenses should e'er match.

Correct Examples

The assuming words in these examples are all past tense, which means they are examples of parallel construction.

She wrote a letter of the alphabet and mailed it to the school.
Yesterday we watched a moving picture, played video games and fabricated pizza.

Wrong Examples

The examples beneath mix tenses. The problematic wording is italicized.

She writes a alphabetic character and mailed it to the school. (This mixes nowadays and past tense; both words should be the aforementioned tense.)
Yesterday we watched a movie, play video games and made pizza. ("Watched" and "made" are past tense, only "play" is present tense. It should be "played" since the sentence specifies this took place in the past.)

The Importance of Parallel Structure

Parallel structure provides menses in a sentence. It keeps your writing balanced and makes information technology easier to read. Information technology also shows that ideas are of equal importance. Errors in parallel construction can brand your writing sound strange to listeners. Many tests, including the Sat, will crave yous to identify parallel structure errors as a means of testing your writing abilities. To farther expand your noesis about parallel structure in writing, review these examples of parallelism in literature and rhetoric.