4. PARALLELISM
Parallel sentence elements in grammar are just like
parallel lines in geometry; they face the same
direction and never meet.
More precisely, in grammar, it’s less about meeting
and more about balance.
5. What is parallelism?
Parallelism is defined as two or more phrases or clauses in a
sentence that have the same grammatical structure.
6. A sentence with parallel construction makes your writing effective,
classy and certain to impress anyone who reads your stuff.
7. Compare the following examples:
Without parallelism: She likes cooking, jogging, and to read.
Parallel: She likes cooking, jogging, and reading.
Without parallelism: Olympic athletes usually like practicing,
competing, and to eat ice cream sandwiches.
Parallel: Olympic athletes usually like practicing, competing,
and eating ice cream sandwiches.
8. Olympic athletes usually like practicing,
competing, and to eat ice cream sandwiches.
In this sentence, practicing and competing are
gerunds (verbs functioning as nouns) and “to eat”
is an infinitive.
9. Other Examples:
Parallel words: Some of my son’s friends are
Europeans, Asians, and Americans.
Parallel phrases: He prefers talking with friends, milling
around, and getting along with people.
Parallel clauses: I try to show my son that language
should not be a barrier, and that the cultures of others
must be understood.
10. Parallel sentences: I ate in a Vietnamese restaurant, I
bought flowers in a Vietnamese flower shop, and I hired
a Vietnamese gardener.
11. Infinitive phrases in a compound subject
To come, to see, and to conquer are his objectives in visiting
the place.
Direct object with prepositional phrases modifiers
They have a swing near the gate, an avocado tree at the
backyard, and a big space at the right side of the lot.
12. Infinitive phrases used as direct object
He promised to fight a graft and corruption in a government
service, to eradicate poverty in urban communities, and to raise the
level of literacy among his constituents.
Adjective clauses introduced by who
The qualified candidate must be someone who cares for the
poor, who values responsibility, and who delivers basic services to the
community.
13. Gerund phrases used as a subject
Heeding the wisdom of the ages, learning from past mistakes,
and seeking advice from well-meaning adults are factors
contributory to one’s success.
14. Gerund phrases as direct object
He prefers understanding other’s customs and practices
and learning to relate with them.
15. LET’S DO THIS!!!
We seek to produce competent human resources,
to develop a competitive company, and to raise
the level of excellence in our outputs.
16. We seek to produce competent human resources, to
develop a competitive company, and to raise the level of
excellence in our outputs.
17. Some citizens are misunderstood because of the way
they live, the manner they talk, and the way they act.
Some citizens are misunderstood because of the way
they live, the manner they talk, and the way they act.
