This lesson will introduce you to the concept of parallelism and provide you with tips on using it in your writing and speaking to make your communication clearer, smoother, and more memorable.
Using Parallelism Structure
Parallelism refers to the use of similar grammatical structures in a sentence or series of sentences. This can involve words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically the same or similar in construction in order to create a sense of balance and rhythm, making the sentence clearer and more effective.
Parallel: "She likes reading, writing, and painting."
Not Parallel: "She likes reading, to write, and painting."
Parallelism has 4 main benefits:
Clarity: parallelism helps make sentences easier to understand by ensuring that similar ideas are expressed in a consistent way
Rhythm and Flow: it enhances the rhythm and flow of sentences, making them more engaging and pleasant to read
Emphasis: by using parallel structures, writers can emphasize the relationships between ideas, making their arguments more persuasive
Balance: it creates a sense of balance and symmetry in writing, which can make the text more aesthetically pleasing
Some examples of the type of language that can be parallel in a sentence include:
Gerunds: She enjoys reading, writing, and painting in her free time.
Infinitives: The goal of the meeting is to boost morale, to build relationships, and to engage our staff.
Adjectives: The room was spacious, bright, and clean.
Adverbs: They worked efficiently, effectively, and diligently.
Passive Form: The product was designed, manufactured, and tested in the United States.
Gerund Subjects: Meeting people, learning new cultures, and trying new foods are benefits of travel.
Noun Clauses: We know why it happened, when it happened, who caused it, and how we can fix it.
Practice
Find the mistakes related to parallelism:
He not only likes hiking but also to swim.
A good manager must be confident, organized, and have knowledge.
My goal with learning English is to speak clearly, confidently, and with correct grammar.
You should understand what your goals are, what your characteristics are, and your skills.
New staff will be hired, trained, and receive a placement in the next few weeks.
The company is known for its innovation, its commitment to quality, and it is dedicated to customer satisfaction.
Fix the incorrect bullet lists below:
In the training workshop, you will learn conflict resolution techniques, including….
How to communicate more effectively
What to say and what not to say
Active listening
When to avoid confrontation
On our website, you can learn more about…:
What our company does
What is our mission?
Our core values
Our priorities:
Satisfy our customers
Exploring new growth opportunities
To maintain good relationships with our stakeholders
Answers
Find the mistakes related to parallelism:
He not only likes hiking but also swimming. ("not only to hike but also to swim" is also possible)
A good manager must be confident, organized, and knowledgeable.
My goal with learning English is to speak clearly, confidently, and correctly.
You should understand what your goals are, what your characteristics are, and what your skills are.
New staff will be hired, trained, and given a placement in the next few weeks.
The company is known for its innovation, its commitment to quality, and its dedication to customer satisfaction.
Fix the incorrect bullet lists below:
In the training workshop, you will learn conflict resolution techniques, including….
How to communicate more effectively
What to say and what not to say
How to listen actively
When to avoid confrontation
On our website, you can learn more about…:
What our company does
What is our mission (no question mark)
What our core values are
Our priorities:
Satisfying our customers
Exploring new growth opportunities
Maintaining good relationships with our stakeholders
*another option is to make each verb in the infinitive form "to satisfy..." / "to explore..." / "to maintain..."
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