Choose The Sentence That Does Not Contain Parallel Elements

Choose the Sentence That Does Not Contain Parallel Elements: A Comprehensive Guide

Parallelism, in grammar, refers to the use of similar grammatical structures to express related ideas. It creates a sense of balance, rhythm, and clarity in writing. When elements within a sentence are parallel, they are grammatically consistent—using the same tense, part of speech, or structure. Identifying sentences lacking parallel structure is crucial for improving writing style and ensuring clarity. This guide delves into the concept of parallelism, provides practical examples, and equips you with the skills to identify and correct non-parallel sentences.

Understanding Parallel Structure

Parallelism enhances readability and comprehension by creating a predictable and aesthetically pleasing pattern. When elements are parallel, readers can easily process the information because their brains anticipate the recurring structure. This contributes to a more engaging and persuasive writing style.

Consider the following example:

• Correct: She enjoys swimming, hiking, and cycling.

• Incorrect: She enjoys swimming, to hike, and cycling.

In the correct sentence, the three activities are presented as gerunds (verbs acting as nouns). The incorrect sentence mixes a gerund ("swimming") with an infinitive ("to hike") and another gerund ("cycling"), disrupting the parallel structure and causing a jarring effect.

Identifying Non-Parallel Sentences: Key Indicators

Identifying non-parallel structures can be tricky, but looking for certain inconsistencies helps. Here are some key indicators that a sentence might lack parallelism:

• Mixing Parts of Speech: A sentence might mix nouns, verbs, adjectives, or adverbs without consistent structure.
• Inconsistent Verb Forms: Using different verb tenses (past, present, future) or verb moods (indicative, subjunctive) within a parallel series.
• Inconsistent Phrase Structures: Combining prepositional phrases, participial phrases, or infinitive phrases inconsistently.
• Mismatched grammatical elements: Combining clauses with phrases, or phrases with single words.

Common Types of Non-Parallel Structures and How to Correct Them

Let's examine common types of non-parallel constructions and how to fix them:

1. Mixing Gerunds and Infinitives

• Incorrect: He likes to read books, writing poems, and to travel.
• Correct: He likes reading books, writing poems, and traveling. (All gerunds)
• Correct: He likes to read books, to write poems, and to travel. (All infinitives)

The corrected sentences maintain consistent grammatical structures. Choose either gerunds or infinitives, but don't mix them within the same parallel series.

2. Inconsistent Use of Prepositional Phrases

• Incorrect: The report detailed the company's revenue, its profits, and the expansion plans.
• Correct: The report detailed the company's revenue, profits, and expansion plans. (All noun phrases)
• Correct: The report detailed the company's revenue, the company's profits, and the company's expansion plans. (All prepositional phrases with consistent structure)

The first correction uses noun phrases, removing the prepositional phrase from the first two elements. The second correction uses consistent prepositional phrases.

3. Inconsistent Verb Tenses

• Incorrect: She walked to the store, buys groceries, and will return home.
• Correct: She walked to the store, bought groceries, and returned home. (All past tense)
• Correct: She walks to the store, buys groceries, and will return home. (Consistent use of tenses, although arguably less elegant)

Maintaining consistent verb tense avoids confusion and creates a smoother flow.

4. Combining Clauses and Phrases

• Incorrect: He is intelligent, works hard, and he is dedicated.
• Correct: He is intelligent, works hard, and is dedicated. (All phrases)

5. Mismatched Correlatives

Correlative conjunctions (e.g., both…and, not only…but also, either…or, neither…nor) must be followed by parallel structures.

• Incorrect: She is not only intelligent but also she works hard.
• Correct: She is not only intelligent but also hardworking. (Both adjectives)
• Correct: She is not only intelligent but also works hard. (Adjective and verb phrase)

Practicing Parallelism: Exercises and Examples

Here are some sentences that lack parallel elements. Identify the errors and provide corrected versions:

1. Incorrect: The candidate promised to lower taxes, improve education, and the creation of new jobs.

Corrected: The candidate promised to lower taxes, improve education, and create new jobs. (All infinitives)

2. Incorrect: He is known for his kindness, generosity, and being helpful.

Corrected: He is known for his kindness, generosity, and helpfulness. (All nouns)

3. Incorrect: The chef prepared a delicious meal, served it beautifully, and was careful with the presentation.

Corrected: The chef prepared a delicious meal, served it beautifully, and carefully considered the presentation. (All verb phrases)

4. Incorrect: She enjoys to read novels, watch movies, and listen to music.

Corrected: She enjoys reading novels, watching movies, and listening to music. (All gerunds)

5. Incorrect: The company aims to increase profits, expand into new markets, and improving customer satisfaction.

Corrected: The company aims to increase profits, expand into new markets, and improve customer satisfaction. (All infinitives)

6. Incorrect: He is not only a talented musician but also a great painter.

Corrected: He is not only a talented musician but also a great painter. (This is already parallel)

7. Incorrect: The instructions said to boil the water, add the pasta, and then simmer it for ten minutes.

Corrected: The instructions said to boil the water, add the pasta, and simmer it for ten minutes. (Already corrected)

8. Incorrect: She spent her day shopping, eating lunch, and a visit to the museum.

Corrected: She spent her day shopping, eating lunch, and visiting the museum. (All gerunds)

9. Incorrect: My hobbies include running, swimming, and I enjoy hiking.

Corrected: My hobbies include running, swimming, and hiking. (All gerunds)

10. Incorrect: The teacher emphasized the importance of studying hard, attending class regularly, and completing all assignments.

Corrected: The teacher emphasized the importance of studying hard, attending class regularly, and completing all assignments. (This is already parallel)

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Parallelism Techniques

Mastering parallelism involves more than just fixing obvious errors. Consider these advanced techniques:

• Balancing Length and Complexity: Aim for similar length and complexity in parallel elements to avoid an unbalanced sentence.
• Using Parallelism for Emphasis: Highlight key ideas by placing them in parallel structures.
• Using Parallelism in Lists and Outlines: Ensure consistency in lists and outlines to enhance readability and comprehension.

Conclusion: The Power of Parallelism in Effective Writing

Parallelism is a powerful tool for crafting clear, concise, and engaging writing. By understanding its principles and practicing identification and correction, you can significantly enhance the quality and impact of your written communication. Consistent practice will develop your intuition for recognizing and applying parallel structures, ultimately leading to more polished and persuasive writing. Remember, the goal is clarity and elegance—allowing your reader to effortlessly follow your ideas without grammatical distractions. Mastering parallelism transforms your writing from simply understandable to truly captivating.