parallel sentence and its usage
Parallel sentence refers to matching grammatical structures. Elements in a sentence that have the same function or express similar ideas should be grammatically parallel, or grammatically matched. The principle of the parallel structures is about keeping in some degree the uniformity in expressing similar contents and functions in sentences. Parallelism is used effectively as a rhetorical device throughout literature and in speeches, advertising copy, and popular songs. Parallelism lends balance and grace to writing. It can make a sentence memorable. The parallel sentence structure can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as "and" or "or." Let's look at them one by one in the following:
Words and Phrases: With the -ing form (gerund) of words and infinitive phrases in the following example:
1. Tom likes jogging, swimming, and bicycling.
2. Tom likes to jog, to swim, and to ride a bicycle.
We can also modify the above sentence as follows:
Tom likes to jog, swim, and ride a bicycle.
You need to avoid the following faulty parallel sentence structure:
1. Tom likes jogging, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.
Correction:
Tom likes jogging, swimming, and riding a bicycle.
2. Tom was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner.
Correction:
Tom was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.
Clauses: A parallel structure that begins with clauses must keep on with clauses. Any changing to another pattern or changing the voice of the verb (from active to passive or vice versa) will break the parallelism. Let's see an example in the following:
The coach told the players that they should have enough sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.
The following is wrong:
The coach told the players that they should have enough sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.
Lists After a Colon: Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form. Let's have a look at an example in the following:
The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs.
The following is wrong:
The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.
If you need more info about parallel sentence, please have a look at our Grammar manual
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