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.