This document discusses the importance of parallelism in writing. Parallelism means that elements in a series are consistently the same type of grammatical structure. To ensure parallelism, items in a list should match - whether they are words, phrases, clauses, or other elements. Parallelism is also important with conjunctions and correlative conjunctions to connect elements logically and clearly. Parallel structure should be used in outlines and other organized writing for consistency.

1. Parallelism
Adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Hixon

2. Parallelism
Parallelism simply means that everything is the same. To
ensure parallelism in your writing, locate all the items in a
list; then make them match.
This proposal is profitable, timely, and it helps us.
The sentence above has a parallelism problem. “Profitable”
and “timely” are adjectives describing the noun “proposal,”
but “it helps us” is a clause.
This proposal is profitable, timely, and helpful.
In the revised sentence, “profitable,” “timely,” and “helpful”
are all adjectives describing the same noun.

3. Parallelism with Phrases
Parallelism is important wherever we have items in a series,
whether those items are words, phrases, or clauses.
A good attitude, being on time, and speaking effectively
are her best professional attributes.
Here, “being on time” and “speaking effectively” are phrases
that contain gerunds, –ing verbs acting as nouns. “A good
attitude is part of the list of attributes, but it does not contain
a gerund.
Having a good attitude, being on time, and speaking
effectively are her best professional attributes.
Giving “a good attitude” a gerund solves the problem.

4. Parallelism with Clauses
The following sentence contains three short clauses, but
there is a problem with parallelism.
Did you know that you have a purpose, that you are
needed, and we love you?
To make the three clauses parallel, we have to add “that”
to “we love you” and switch the pronouns so that “you”
is in the same position in each clause.
Did you know that you have a purpose, that you are
needed, and that you are loved?

5. Parallelism with Conjunctions
Conjunctions are words like “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,”
“yet” and “so” that connect words, phrases, and clauses.
Wherever you see a conjunction, check to be sure the items
on each side of the conjunction are parallel.
James Baldwin was black, gay, and grew up in poverty.
The word “and” signals that a list is present. However, the
list in the sentence above is not parallel. “Black” and “gay”
are adjectives that describe James Baldwin, but “grew up in
poverty” is not an adjective. We’ll revise the sentence by
changing “grew up in poverty” to an adjective.
James Baldwin was black, gay, and poor.

6. Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are two-part connectors.
If you have one half of a correlative conjunction,
you have to have the other.
either . . . or
neither . . . nor
both . . . and
whether . . . or
not only . . . but also

7. Not only do constructions with correlative conjunctions need both
parts of the conjunction, but they also need to be in a logical position
in the sentence to do their work. (Did you notice the correlative
conjunction in that introductory sentence? It’s “not only. . . but also.”)
Ora spent the entire trip either arguing with me or with
Virginia.
Ora is arguing with two people. We need “either” in a position close
to “me” and “Virginia” to make a distinction between the two
choices.
Ora spent the entire trip arguing either with me or with
Virginia.
Moreover, because we have “either,” we must also have “or.”
Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions

8. Just for the sake of clarity, let’s draw a picture of that
sentence.
with me
Ora spent the entire trip arguing either or
with Virginia.
“Arguing” belongs to the core sentence “Ora spent the
entire trip arguing”; the two options for Ora’s opponents
don’t become distinct until we indicate the two choices
with “either . . . or.”
Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions

9. Here are some more examples of parallelism with
correlative conjunctions.
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays
these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed
rounds (unofficial motto of the U. S. Postal Service).
Both Jenny and Kate work hard at their jobs.
Whether you like succotash or not, that’s what’s for dinner.
I always liked going to school not only as an opportunity to
learn but also as a chance to see my friends.
Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions

10. Parallelism in Outlines
Levels of English Usage
I. Standard
A. Informal English
1. Colloquialisms
2. Slang
3. Clichés
B. Formal English
1. Academic English
2. Business English
II. Nonstandard English
A. Dialect
B. Misspoken forms
C. “Bad” English
Parallelism is also vital
for outlines and tables of
contents. If one entry is a
noun or noun phrase,
take care that every entry
is a noun or noun phrase.
You may also use Proper
nouns, verbs or verb
phrases, independent
clauses – anything you
want, really, but all entries
must take the same form.