Parallelism in Grammar: The Basics

Parallelism in grammar is a crucial concept that involves using similar or parallel grammatical structures within a sentence or a series of sentences. This principle ensures clarity, coherence and balance in writing, making it easier for readers to understand the message being conveyed.

Parallelism is commonly used in various parts of speech, such as verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs and phrases. Let’s explore the key aspects and examples of parallelism in grammar:

Parallel Structure with Verbs

In parallel structure with verbs, each verb should have the same tense, voice and mood when describing a series of actions.

Example (Correct):

She enjoys reading, writing and painting.

Example (Incorrect):

She enjoys reading, to write and painting.

Parallel Structure with Nouns

When using nouns in a series, they should be of the same category or type to maintain parallelism.

Example (Correct):

The conference focused on technology, innovation and education.

Example (Incorrect):

The conference focused on technology, innovation and educating.

Parallel Structure with Adjectives

Parallelism with adjectives involves using adjectives of the same degree or type to describe multiple items.

Example (Correct):

He is tall, intelligent and friendly.

Example (Incorrect):

He is tall, intelligent and being friendly.

Parallel Structure with Adverbs

When using adverbs in a series, they should be of the same type or form.

Example (Correct):

She danced gracefully, confidently and passionately.

Example (Incorrect):

She danced gracefully, with confidence and passionately.

Parallel Structure with Phrases

Parallelism in phrases requires maintaining a consistent grammatical structure throughout the sentence.

Example (Correct):

The team is determined to win, prepared for the challenges and excited about the opportunity.

Example (Incorrect):

The team is determined to win, prepared for the challenges and excitedly about the opportunity.

Parallel Structure with Clauses

Parallelism with clauses involves using a consistent structure in compound sentences.

Example (Correct):

She studied hard for the exam and she revised all her notes.

Example (Incorrect):

She studied hard for the exam, while revising all her notes.

Importance of Parallelism

• Improves Clarity: Parallelism simplifies complex sentences and ensures that readers can easily understand the relationships between different elements.
• Enhances Readability: Consistent grammatical structures make the text more coherent and reader-friendly.
• Adds Emphasis: Parallelism can add emphasis to specific ideas, making them stand out in the sentence.
• Creates Rhythm and Flow: Parallel structures contribute to the rhythm and flow of the writing, making it more engaging.

In conclusion, parallelism in grammar is an essential tool for effective writing. By maintaining consistency in grammatical structures, writers can create well-organised and coherent sentences, conveying their ideas clearly and concisely to the reader.