Which Of The Following Sentences Correctly Uses Parallel Structure

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

Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, is a fundamental principle of grammar that significantly impacts the clarity, flow, and overall effectiveness of your writing. It involves using the same grammatical structure for similar items in a list, series, or comparison. Mastering parallel structure elevates your writing from clumsy and confusing to polished and persuasive. This article will delve into the intricacies of parallel structure, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to identify and correctly implement it, helping you write with precision and impact.

Understanding Parallel Structure: The Foundation of Clear Communication

Parallel structure enhances readability and comprehension by creating a rhythmic and balanced sentence structure. When elements within a sentence or paragraph share a similar grammatical form, the reader can easily grasp the relationships between those elements. This consistent structure prevents ambiguity and ensures that your message is conveyed clearly and concisely. Consider the difference between these two sentences:

• Incorrect: I enjoy swimming, to hike, and bicycling.
• Correct: I enjoy swimming, hiking, and bicycling.

The incorrect sentence uses a mix of gerunds ("swimming," "bicycling") and infinitives ("to hike"). The correct sentence uses only gerunds, creating a parallel structure that is grammatically sound and easy to read.

Identifying Parallel Structure: Spotting the Patterns

Parallel structure can manifest in various forms within a sentence. Common examples include:

1. Lists and Series:

Parallelism is crucial when listing items or presenting a series of related ideas. Each item in the list must maintain the same grammatical structure.

• Incorrect: She is intelligent, kind, and has a great sense of humor.
• Correct: She is intelligent, kind, and humorous. (all adjectives)
• Correct: She is intelligent, she is kind, and she has a great sense of humor. (all complete clauses)

Notice how the corrected sentences use consistent grammatical forms for each attribute.

2. Comparisons:

When comparing or contrasting two or more things, parallel structure ensures a fair and balanced comparison.

• Incorrect: He is taller than his brother is.
• Correct: He is taller than his brother. (Both phrases are incomplete clauses.)
• Correct: He is taller than his brother is tall. (Both are complete clauses.)

3. Correlative Conjunctions:

Correlative conjunctions (such as both...and, either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also) require parallel structure in the phrases or clauses they connect.

• Incorrect: She is not only intelligent but also possesses a great sense of humor.
• Correct: She is not only intelligent but also humorous. (Both are adjectives.)
• Correct: She is not only intelligent but also has a great sense of humor. (Both are complete clauses.)

Failing to use parallel structure with correlative conjunctions can lead to jarring and confusing sentences.

4. Compound Predicates:

When a sentence has multiple verbs sharing the same subject, those verbs should be in parallel form.

• Incorrect: He went to the store and bought groceries, and then he went home.
• Correct: He went to the store, bought groceries, and then went home. (All are simple past tense verbs.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Pitfalls of Non-Parallelism

Recognizing common errors in parallel structure is crucial for improving your writing. Here are some frequent pitfalls:

• Mixing Gerunds and Infinitives: As seen in the initial example, mixing gerunds (verbs ending in -ing used as nouns) and infinitives (verbs preceded by to) is a common mistake.

• Inconsistent Parts of Speech: Using a mix of adjectives, adverbs, nouns, and phrases without maintaining consistency in grammatical form disrupts the parallel structure.

• Unequal Comparisons: Comparisons should be made between elements of similar grammatical weight. Comparing an adjective to a phrase, for instance, creates an unbalanced comparison.

• Ignoring Correlative Conjunctions: Overlooking the necessity of parallelism with correlative conjunctions is a frequent oversight.

Practical Exercises: Testing Your Understanding

Let's test your understanding with a few examples. Identify which of the following sentences correctly uses parallel structure and explain why:

Example 1:

a. She enjoys reading, writing, and to paint. b. She enjoys reading, writing, and painting. c. She enjoys to read, to write, and to paint.

Answer: Option b is correct. It uses consistent gerunds. Options a and c mix gerunds and infinitives, breaking the parallel structure.

Example 2:

a. He is not only talented but also works very hard. b. He is not only talented but also a hard worker. c. He is not only talented but also he works very hard.

Answer: Option b is the best choice. Although c is grammatically correct, b is more concise and achieves parallel structure more effectively with two parallel adjectives. Option a mixes an adjective and a clause.

Example 3:

a. My goals are to graduate, find a job, and to be happy. b. My goals are graduating, finding a job, and being happy. c. My goals are to graduate, finding a job, and being happy.

Answer: Option b is correct. It uses consistent gerunds. Options a and c mix gerunds and infinitives.

The Importance of Parallel Structure in Professional Writing

Parallel structure is not merely a stylistic preference; it's a vital aspect of professional writing. It impacts several key areas:

• Clarity and Conciseness: Parallelism dramatically improves the clarity and conciseness of your writing, making it easy for the reader to understand your message.

• Professionalism and Credibility: Using correct parallel structure demonstrates attention to detail and enhances your credibility as a writer.

• Persuasiveness: Well-structured sentences with parallel elements are more persuasive and impactful, effectively conveying your ideas to the audience.

• SEO Optimization: Search engines value well-structured, clear content. Parallel structure contributes to content readability, improving SEO performance.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Techniques in Parallelism

While mastering the fundamental principles of parallelism is essential, you can further refine your writing by exploring more advanced techniques. These include:

• Balancing Clauses: Ensure that clauses in a parallel structure are of comparable length and complexity to maintain balance.

• Using Similar Prepositional Phrases: When using prepositional phrases, ensure they have similar structures to maintain parallelism.

• Parallelism in Lists with Multiple Elements: Maintain consistent structure even in lists with numerous elements. Each item needs to follow the established pattern.

Conclusion: Mastering Parallel Structure for Effective Communication

The correct use of parallel structure is not just about grammatical correctness; it's about crafting clear, concise, and effective communication. By understanding and implementing the principles of parallelism, you can significantly improve the quality and impact of your writing, whether it's an email, a report, or a novel. Consistent practice and attention to detail will help you become proficient in using parallel structure, leading to stronger writing and enhanced communication skills. The effort you invest in mastering this grammatical principle will undoubtedly pay off in your professional and personal writing endeavors. Remember to always review your work for potential errors, and don't hesitate to seek feedback from others to ensure your sentences exhibit impeccable parallel structure.