English for Students

Parallelism

Parallelism is a balance in the structure of the sentence.

Look at the following sentence.

• Air travel is safe, fast and it is convenient.

In this sentence, three attributes of air travel are sought to be enumerated in this sentence.

Of these, the first two are mentioned a single words (safe and fast), while the third is mentioned as an independent main clause. (It is convenient)

This sentence lacks parallelism in structure which is considered a grammatical error.

The correct form is:

• Air travel is safe, fast and convenient.

Lack of parallelism may arise in many different ways.

Example-1:

• Swimming, seeing movies and to go for walk are my hobbies.

In this sentence also the first two hobbies (swimming and seeing movies) have been given in single words while third hobby (to go for walk) has been mentioned in an infinite form. This sentence lacks the parallelism.

The correct sentence is:

• Swimming, seeing movies and walking are my hobbies.

Example-2:

• We should vote for Clinton because he is honest, knowledgeable and he is a hard-working.

This sentence also states three qualities about Clinton. But the first tow qualities have been stated as adjectives whereas the third quality has been noted in a subordinate clause.

In order to restore the parallelism, this sentence should be rearranged as follows.

• We should vote for Clinton because he is honest, knowledgeable and hard-working.

Example-3:

Incorrect:
• The board decided to pass the bill, approve the contract and it would reelect the Chairman.

Correct:
• The board decided to pass the bill, approve the contract and reelect the Chairman.

Example-4:

Incorrect:
• Every night, I go for a walk, wash my teeth and would read a book before going to my bed.

Correct:
• Every night, I go for a walk, wash my teeth and read a book before going to my bed.



Example-5:

Incorrect:
• The museum contains sixth century sculptures, eighteenth century swords and the dress worn by nineteenth century royal family.

Correct:
• The museum contains sixth century sculptures, eighteenth century swords and nineteenth century royal dress.

Example-6:

Incorrect:
• Europe’s travel industry is suffering as a result of a sluggish economy, a stretch of bad weather, as well as the chilling effects of terrorist activity that is persistent.

Correct:
• Europe’s travel industry is suffering as a result of a sluggish economy, a stretch of bad weather And the chilling effects of persistent terrorist activity.

Example-7:

Incorrect:
• The suspect in the burglary was advised of his right to remain silent, told he could not leave, and was interrogated in a detention room.

Correct:
• The suspect in the burglary was advised of his right to remain silent, told he could not leave, and interrogated in a detention room.

These examples might have given you better ideas about the ways to restore the parallelism in a sentence.

Advanced English