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RULES OF THUMB FOR

PARALLELISM

This is PARALLELISM:
A

sign inside an elevator:


4500 lbs or 2800 kg or 28 persons

These sentences contain


unparallel items.

This is a report that Savanna researched, Pat wrote, and


the editing was done by Justin.
Savanna researched
Pat wrote
the editing was done by Justin

Rather than arrive late for the show, she decided either
to cut short her previous engagement or that she should
reschedule it.
to cut short her previous engagement
that she should reschedule it
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These sentences contain unparallel items


(From Understanding English Grammar).

Not only did the financial experts underestimate the


economic downturn, but they delayed in taking action to
change its course.

Not only did the financial experts underestimate . . .

but they delayed . . .

Ill either take the bus or a taxi.


take the bus
a taxi
Either they will fly straight home or stop overnight in
Vallejo.
they will fly straight home

stop overnight in Vallejo

PARALLELISM
The

secret to
parallelism:
make sure
everything is
the same.

Now, everything is the same.

This is a report that Savanna researched, Pat wrote, and


Justin edited.
Savanna researched
Pat wrote
Justin edited
Rather than arrive late for the show, she decided
either to cut short her previous engagement or to
reschedule it.
to cut short her previous engagement
to reschedule it
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Now, everything is the same.

Not only did the financial experts underestimate the


economic downturn, but they also delayed in taking
action to change its course.

Not only did the financial experts underestimate . . .

but they also delayed . . .

Ill take either the bus or a taxi.


either the bus
or a taxi
Either they will fly straight home or stop overnight in
Vallejo.
they will either fly straight home

or stop overnight in Vallejo

Everything must be the same.


Insert

card.
Remove the nozzle.
Push button to
select fuel grade.
Begin fueling.
Return nozzle to the
pump.
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Everything must be the same.

Everything must be the same.


Ask

not what your


country can do for
you: ask what you
can do for your
country.

- JFK

Dont

ask, dont tell.

Neither

a borrower
nor a lender be, for
a loan oft loses both
itself and friend.
- The Bard of Avon

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If everything is not the same . . .


Jason

is not only
captain of the soccer
team but president
of SGA.

He

was black, gay,


and grew up in
poverty, but none of
these things
determined who he
was or limited what
he did.

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Everything is the same.


Jason

is not only
captain of the soccer
team but also
president of SGA.

He

was black, gay,


and poor, but none
of these things
determined who he
was or limited what
he did.

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Parallelism = Balance
Watch

for
parallelism in
sentences with two
or more items
(words, phrases,
clauses) connected
by a conjunction in a
series.

CAREERS Nonparallel Items


accounting
medical and legal professionals
hair stylists
teaching
computer science

CAREERS
accountants
medical and legal professionals
hair stylists
teachers/educators
computer scientists

CAREERS
accounting
medicine and law
cosmetology
education
computer science

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Parallelism in Everyday Use


See

it. Shoot it.


Send it.
(From a WEAR TV-3
News Ad)

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Parallelism in Everyday Use


Truth

Justice
and
The American Way

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Common Conjunctions in
Parallel Items

Coordinating
Conjunctions: fanboys
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So

Correlative
Conjunctions
Either . . . or
Neither . . . nor
Both . . . and
Not only . . . but also
Whether . . . or

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When youre proofreading . . .


Look

for the
conjunction: AND
Then match the left
and right side of the
conjunction:
Not a match: black, gay,
and grew up in poverty
A match: black, gay,
and poor

He

was black, gay,


and poor, but none
of these things
determined who he
was or limited what
he did.

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When youre proofreading . . .


Look

for the
conjunction: OR
Then match the left
and right side of the
conjunction:
determined who he
was or
limited what he did

He

was black, gay,


and poor, but none
of these things
determined who he
was or limited what
he did.

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Parallelism with words, phrases, clauses,


and sentences linked by conjunctions

The two team captains


were watching the
practice and finding
fault with every play.

According to the polls,


Alvin Greene didnt
have a chance, yet he
won by a landslide.

They

were looking
for someone who
could run the
office but who
would work for
peanuts.

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Parallelism in Compounds
with Correlatives
Ora

spent the entire


trip either arguing
with me or with
Virginia.
The proposed exam
will not only affect
curricula but provide
uniform standards of
assessment.

Ora

spent the entire


trip arguing either
with me or with
Virginia.

The proposed exam


will not only affect
curricula but also
provide uniform
standards of
assessment.
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Remember to use not only


with but also, not just but.
INCORRECT

I always liked going to church not only as an


obligation but as an opportunity to wear my
new clothes.
CORRECT
I always liked going to church not only as an
obligation but also as an opportunity to wear
my new clothes.
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Parallelism in Series

We need a plumber,
plasterer, and someone to
paint.

We need a plumber,
plasterer, and painter.

Our vacation included


camping, canoeing, and
bird-watching.

She described the


accident fully, accurately,
and succinctly.

Our vacation included


camping, canoeing, and to
watch birds.
She described the
accident fully, accurately,
and with succinctness.

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Parallelism in Outlines
Levels of English Usage
I. Standard
A. Informal English
1. Colloquialisms
2. Slang
3. Cliches
B. Formal English
1. Academic English
2. Business English

II.

Nonstandard English
A. Dialect
B. Misspoken forms
C. Bad English

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Parallelism with Words

WRONG:
This
proposal is profitable,
timely, and it helps us.

RIGHT: This proposal


is profitable, timely, and
helpful.

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Parallelism with Phrases

WRONG:
A good
attitude, being on
time, and speaking
effectively are her
attributes.

RIGHT: Having a
good attitude, being on
time, and speaking
effectively are her
attributes.

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Parallelism with Clauses

WRONG:
Did
you know that you
have a purpose, that
you are needed, and
we love you?

RIGHT: Did you know


that you have a
purpose, that you are
needed, and that you
are loved?

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Parallelism may involve


REPETITION.

Warner graduated
from Harvard Law
School without
honors, without a
girlfriend, and without
a job.

Of the people, by the


people, and for the
people

- From Legally Blonde

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A FEW REMINDERS

Not only NEEDS but


also, NOT JUST but
EXAMPLE:
Vitamin A is found not only in
vegetables but in eggs and
butter.
Vitamin A is found not only in
vegetables but also in eggs
and butter.
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A FEW REMINDERS

Either NEEDS or,


NOT nor.
EXAMPLE:
The steaks at the new
restaurant are either
overcooked nor
undercooked.

The steaks at the new


restaurant are either
overcooked or
undercooked.

Neither NEEDS
nor, NOT or.
EXAMPLE:
Neither the victims name
or his condition is known.

Neither the victims


name nor his condition is
known.

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A FEW REMINDERS
EVERYTHING MUST
BE THE SAME.
Learn about your
community: its
strengths, its
challenges, its
organizations, and its
people.

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LETS PRACTICE!!!
Many

gases are invisible, odorless, and


they have no taste.
Many gases are invisible, odorless, and
tasteless.
Mr. Foster is not only an excellent barber
but also sings well.
Mr. Foster is not only an excellent barber
but also a good singer.
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LETS PRACTICE!!!
Either

I will meet you in the lobby or come


to your room.
I will either meet you in the lobby or come
to your room.
He said that he would arrive late and I
shouldnt start the rehearsal without him.
He said that he would arrive late and that I
shouldnt start the rehearsal without him.
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LETS PRACTICE A LITTLE


MORE!!!
Three

of the steps in filing are coding, sorting,


and to store.
Three of the steps in filing are coding, sorting,
and storing.
Without federal taxes, we would have neither
an army or a navy.
Without federal taxes, we would have neither
an army nor a navy.
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His

books are timely, well-written, and a real


challenge.
His books are timely, well-written, and
challenging.
The car needs to be tuned up, air in the tires,
and the oil needs to be changed.
The car needs a tune-up, air in the tires, and
an oil change.
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The

contamination of air continues, and it


threatens not only the comfort but the
existence of the earths inhabitants.

The

contamination of air continues, and it


threatens not only the comfort but also the
existence of the earths inhabitants.
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