Grammar & Editing Help: Parallel Structure

Parallel Structure, part 2

Elements are not parallel

Put each item in a list or parallel structure in the same grammatical form.

Incorrect:	Humans engage in a dizzying array of artifice and hard-working. (noun ~ adjective = faulty parallelism)
Correct:	Humans engage in a dizzying array of artifice and industry. (noun ~ noun = correct parallel structure) [1]
Incorrect:	These [plants] provide services for one another, such as retaining water, protecting one another from wind, and fix free nitrogen from the air to use as fertilizer. (Verb-ing ~ Verb (base) = faulty parallelism)
Correct:	These [plants] provide services for one another, such as retaining water, protecting one another from wind, and fixing free nitrogen from the air to use as fertilizer. (Verb-ing ~ Verb-ing = correct parallel structure) [2]
Incorrect:	We need to prevent weeds, germs, and other pest species from becoming established in non-native places and where they can cause economic damage. (phrase ~ clause = faulty parallelism)
Correct:	We need to prevent weeds, germs, and other pest species from becoming established in places where they aren't native and where they can cause economic damage.. (WH-clause ~ WH-clause = correct parallel structure) [3]

Links:

Further Reading:

In Eye on Editing 2 see Pages 48-49

In Read, Write, Edit: Grammar for College Writers See Pages 106-111

In Writing Clearly: An Editing Guide (Second Edition), See Pages 140-141

Parallel Structure, part 3

Problem with conjunction in a parallel structure

A parallel structure is incorrect if the conjunction is wrong or missing.

Incorrect:	Some of us have faith that we shall solve our dependence on fossil fuels by developing new technologies for hydrogen engines, wind energy, solar energy.
Correct:	Some of us have faith that we shall solve our dependence on fossil fuels by developing new technologies for hydrogen engines, wind energy, or solar energy. [4]

Links:

Further Reading:

In Eye on Editing 2 See Pages 48-49

In Read, Write, Edit: Grammar for College Writers See Pages 106-111

In Writing Clearly: An Editing Guide (Second Edition), See Pages 140-141

Parallel Structure, part 4

Problem with punctuation in a parallel structure

Use no comma when you are conjoining only two elements (two words or phrases).

Incorrect:	I like cats, and dogs.
Correct:	I like cats and dogs.

When you are conjoining elements in a list of three or more, use a comma after every element before the last one.

Incorrect:	I like cats dogs and horses.
Controversial:	I like cats, dogs and horses.
Correct:	I like cats, dogs, and horses.

Note: If you are joining parallel clauses (not words or phrases), see the rules for clause combining.

Links:

Further Reading:

In Eye on Editing 2 See Pages 48-49

In Read, Write, Edit: Grammar for College Writers See Pages 106-111

In Writing Clearly: An Editing Guide (Second Edition), See Pages 140-141

Parallel Structure, part 5

Try using a parallel structure here.

Links:

Further Reading:

In Eye on Editing 2 See Pages 48-49

In Read, Write, Edit: Grammar for College Writers See Pages 106-111

In Writing Clearly: An Editing Guide (Second Edition), See Pages 140-141

Parallel Structure, part 6

Problem with word order in a comparative structure

Place comparative words (like more and less) before grammatical words like prepositions. It is necessary to repeat the preposition in the parallel comparative structure.

Incorrect:

The motor pool is a completely centralized and mechanized operation. It handles all types of vehicle maintenance, but concentrates on more "service station activities" than extensive vehicle repairs. It contracts with outside repair garages for much of the latter work.

Correct:

The motor pool is a completely centralized and mechanized operation. It handles all types of vehicle maintenance, but concentrates more on "service station activities" than on extensive vehicle repairs. It contracts with outside repair garages for much of the latter work. [5]

Links:

Further Reading:

In Eye on Editing 2 See Pages 48-49

In Read, Write, Edit: Grammar for College Writers See Pages 106-111

In Writing Clearly: An Editing Guide (Second Edition), See Pages 140-141

Parallel Structure, part 7

Try repeating function words in a parallel structure.

In parallel structures, it is common and effective to repeat function words (prepositions, articles, and auxiliary verbs, for example). This will make the structure easier to read.

Less effective parallelism:	Are these genetically modified potatoes a good idea, to either plant or eat?
Better:	Are these genetically modified potatoes a good idea, either to plant or to eat? [6]

Links:

Further Reading:

In Eye on Editing 2 See Pages 48-49

In Read, Write, Edit: Grammar for College Writers See Pages 106-111

In Writing Clearly: An Editing Guide (Second Edition), See Pages 140-141