What is "parallelism" in writing? Parallelism: The use of identical or equivalent syntactic constructions in corresponding clauses or phrases. (The American Heritage Dictionary)
Faulty parallelism is the result of mixing up tactics when composing a sentence. This happens most often when a writer wants to make a sentence more interesting, especially when the sentence is long or complex, but the result can be unsettling to the reader. Parallelism can relate to just about anything: nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, articles, and prepositions (as in the following example).
Not parallel: They rode to the market, the post office, and to the library.
Parallel: They rode to the market, the post office, and the library.
Parallel: They rode to the market, to the post office, and to the library.
If a sentence contains elements related in purpose or structure, be sure these elements are presented in the same grammatical form.
Not parallel: I enjoy long walks on the beach, eating gourmet food, and to stargaze on a clear night.
Parallel: I enjoy taking long walks on the beach, eating gourmet food, and stargazing on a clear night.
Often more a matter of style than grammatical error, achieving parallel structure adds rhythm and elegance to a sentence. Creative writers do have a certain poetic license to forego the rules of parallelism when the result is a more powerful or artistic sentence, but in general, watch out for elements that don’t jibe.
Some more examples:
When I was a teenager, I was a cook at a fast-food restaurant, delivered newspapers, and then I worked as a valet.
BETTER: When I was a teenager, I cooked at a fast-food restaurant, delivered newspapers, and worked as a valet.
We vacation in spring, summer, and in fall.
BETTER: We vacation in spring, summer, and fall.
OR: We vacation in spring, in summer, and in fall.
A time not for words, but action.
BETTER: A time not for words, but for action.
Work is as important as playing.
BETTER: Work is as important as play.
OR: Working is as important as playing.
She is a teacher who is dedicated and, at the same time, finding her students tedious.
BETTER: She is a teacher who is dedicated and, at the same time, finds her students tedious.
The new budget calls for lower salaries, marketing funds, and shorter hours.
BETTER: The new budget calls for lower salaries, lower marketing funds, and shorter hours.
The politician has the charisma, the charm, and has the contacts to run successfully.
BETTER: The politician has the charisma, the charm, and the contacts to run successfully.
OR: The politician has the charisma, has the charm, and has the contacts to run successfully.
Susan is interested but not very good at foreign languages.
BETTER: Susan is interested in but not very good at foreign languages.
At my favorite restaurant, the lunch menu is good but the drinks expensive.
BETTER: At my favorite restaurant, the lunch menu is good but the drinks are expensive.
She traced his face in the photograph slowly and with love.
BETTER: She traced his face in the photograph slowly and lovingly.