1. Parallelism with Mixed Series
Writing Lab
Parallelism with Mixed Series

2. Parallelism
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.

3. Parallel vs. 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.

4. 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.

5. More Examples
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.

6. Even More Examples
Incorrect: The jaguar is swift, quiet, and moves with grace.
Correct: The jaguar is swift, quiet, and graceful.

7. That’s all, folks!
This lesson is part of the UWF Writing Lab Grammar Mini-Lesson Series
Lessons adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon
To find out more, visit the Writing Lab’s website where you can take a self-scoring quiz corresponding to this lesson