Parallelism Correction
Formula
Identify list items linked by conjunctions ➡️ Ensure all items share the exact same grammatical form (nouns, gerunds, or infinitives).
When to Use
- To resolve grammatical imbalances in coordinate structures.
- When correcting lists of actions or traits in sentence improvement exercises.
- To ensure balance when using correlative conjunctions (e.g. not only... but also).
- When refining complex sentence clauses to improve stylistic balance.
Memory Tip
Think of parallelism as a TRAIN TRACK. Both rails (listed items) must run perfectly parallel in structure (all -ing verbs or all infinitives) for the train (sentence meaning) to stay on track.
Explanation
Parallelism requires that coordinate parts of a sentence share the same grammatical structure. When a list of items is presented, all items should be matching parts of speech. For example, if you list three activities, they should all be nouns, all gerunds (verb-ing), or all infinitives (to verb).
Faulty parallelism occurs when you mix these forms, such as saying 'Priya likes cooking, reading, and to paint.' In this sentence, 'cooking' and 'reading' are gerunds, but 'to paint' is an infinitive. The correct parallel structure is 'Priya likes cooking, reading, and painting.' Parallelism is also critical when using correlative conjunctions; the grammatical structure following 'either' must match the structure following 'or.'
Examples
- Incorrect: Sita likes cooking, reading, and to watch movies. ➡️ Correct: Sita likes cooking, reading, and watching movies. (Why: Aligns watch to matching gerund form)
- Incorrect: He was not only smart but also had industry. ➡️ Correct: He was not only smart but also industrious. (Why: Matches adjectives 'smart' and 'industrious' after the correlative pair)
- Incorrect: The project requires gathering data, to write code, and compiling results. ➡️ Correct: The project requires gathering data, writing code, and compiling results. (Why: All items in the list must be gerunds)
- Incorrect: To study hard, practicing mock tests, and clearing the exam are his goals. ➡️ Correct: Studying hard, practicing mock tests, and clearing the exam are his goals. (Why: Ensures parallel gerund subjects)
- Incorrect: Ravi is responsible for customer queries, billing issues, and to write reports. ➡️ Correct: Ravi is responsible for customer queries, billing issues, and report writing. (Why: All three items must be noun phrases)
- Incorrect: He decided either to study in Hyderabad or taking a job in Bengaluru. ➡️ Correct: He decided either to study in Hyderabad or to take a job in Bengaluru. (Why: 'Either' and 'or' must be followed by parallel infinitive phrases)
- Incorrect: Ananya is diligent, intelligent, and has reliability. ➡️ Correct: Ananya is diligent, intelligent, and reliable. (Why: Matches adjectives 'diligent,' 'intelligent,' and 'reliable')
- Incorrect: The training program focused on team building, communication, and how to resolve conflicts. ➡️ Correct: The training program focused on team building, communication, and conflict resolution. (Why: Standardizes list items to nouns)
- Incorrect: She values honesty, hard work, and being kind. ➡️ Correct: She values honesty, hard work, and kindness. (Why: Connects three abstract nouns in parallel)
- Incorrect: Suresh likes to swim, run, and playing cricket. ➡️ Correct: Suresh likes to swim, run, and play cricket. (Why: Uses parallel bare infinitives after 'to')
- Incorrect: The manager expected the team to arrive on time, work efficiently, and that they would submit reports. ➡️ Correct: The manager expected the team to arrive on time, work efficiently, and submit reports. (Why: Uses parallel infinitive verbs)
- Incorrect: We need candidates who are skilled in Java, Python, and know how to use databases. ➡️ Correct: We need candidates who are skilled in Java, Python, and database management. (Why: All items must be noun skills)
- Incorrect: Priya spent her weekend cleaning the house, buying groceries, and visited her parents. ➡️ Correct: Priya spent her weekend cleaning the house, buying groceries, and visiting her parents. (Why: Uses parallel gerunds for weekend activities)
- Incorrect: The book is interesting, informative, and has simplicity. ➡️ Correct: The book is interesting, informative, and simple. (Why: Aligns list to three parallel adjectives)
- Incorrect: Neither threat of penalty nor to bribe could influence the honest officer. ➡️ Correct: Neither threat of penalty nor bribery could influence the honest officer. (Why: Connects two nouns after 'neither' and 'nor')
Common Mistakes
- ❌ Mixing gerunds (-ing) and infinitives (to verb) in a single list. ➡️ ✅ Use the same verb form for all items.
- ❌ Failing to balance structures following correlative conjunctions (neither/nor). ➡️ ✅ Ensure parallel parts of speech follow both connectors.
- ❌ Mixing adjectives and noun phrases when describing traits. ➡️ ✅ Keep all descriptive terms in the same class (all adjectives).
- ❌ Creating run-on coordinate clauses that lack a matching subject link. ➡️ ✅ Check the parallel relationship to the main subject.
Quick Quiz
Q1. Correct the sentence: 'He is known for his dedication, honesty, and being creative.'
- a) He is known for his dedication, honesty, and creative.
- b) He is known for his dedication, honesty, and creativity. ✓
- c) He is known for his dedication, being honest, and creativity.
- d) No change needed
Q2. Identify the faulty parallelism: 'I prefer playing cricket to watch television.'
- a) playing cricket to watching television ✓
- b) play cricket to watch television
- c) playing cricket than watching television
- d) play cricket to watching television
Q3. Fill in the blank to make parallel: 'The course covers writing codes, developing apps, and ___ databases.'
- a) to manage
- b) managing ✓
- c) management of
- d) manage