Transcript Parallelism - Mixed series #74

Parallelism with Mixed Series
From the UWF Writing Lab’s 101 Grammar Mini-Lessons
Series
Mini-Lesson #74
The principle of parallelism requires
that items in a series be alike or
grammatically equivalent in meaning
stricture and/or form, that is, nouns
with nouns, verbs with verbs,
prepositional phrases with
prepositional phrases, adverb clauses
with adverb clauses, sentences with
sentences; and people with people,
automobiles with automobiles, and so
forth.
 Unparallel
◦ The Great Depression affected people in
all walks of life: farmers, industrial workers,
formerly respected bankers, and the
attitudes of college students.
 Attitudes is not a specific instance of the noun.
 Parallel
◦ The Great Depression affected people in
all walks of life: farmers, industrial workers,
formerly respected bankers, and college
students.
Examples:
 Incorrect:
All work and no playing makes a
person dull.
 Correct: All work and no play makes a person
dull.
 Incorrect:
Anyone who is overweight and
wants to diet should jog, swim, and be advised
by a doctor.
 Correct: Anyone who is overweight and
wants to diet should jog, swim, and follow a
doctor’s advice.
 Incorrect:
The book was written in India,
translated in Germany, and a company
published it in London.
 Correct: The book was written in India,
translated in Germany, and published in
London.
 Incorrect:
Try a massage to relieve tension,
for relaxation, and for feeling good.
 Correct: Try a massage to relieve tension,
to relax, and to feel good.
 Incorrect:
The jaguar is swift, quiet, and
moves with grace.
 Correct: The jaguar is swift, quiet, and
graceful.