I am having some serious problems with parallelism. I do not understand how to use parallelism. I've read the lesson in my textbook and I've looked at different websites that help explain it, but I just can't get it. Can anyone break this down in "layman's term" please. Thank you.
Have you tried this web site?:
http://www.myenglishteacher.net/parallelism.html
Of course! I'll do my best to explain parallelism in simple terms.
Parallelism refers to the balanced use of similar grammatical structures within a sentence or a paragraph. It helps create a sense of rhythm, clarity, and emphasis. Here's how you can understand and use parallelism effectively:
1. Identifying Parallel Elements: Look for items in a sentence that are grouped together and should appear in the same grammatical form. They can be words, phrases, or even clauses.
2. Using Parallel Structures: Ensure that these parallel elements have the same grammatical structure when expressing similar ideas. This includes using consistent verb tenses, maintaining the same parts of speech, and keeping the general structure or pattern of the sentence the same.
For example, let's take this sentence: "I like swimming, to run, and playing tennis." This sentence lacks parallelism because the verb forms are inconsistent (liking, running, playing). To make it parallel, you could rewrite it like this: "I like swimming, running, and playing tennis."
Here are some more examples:
Non-parallel: She enjoys cooking, jogging, and to read books.
Parallel: She enjoys cooking, jogging, and reading books.
Non-parallel: Peter likes hiking, biking, and he enjoys writing.
Parallel: Peter likes hiking, biking, and writing.
3. Creating Balance and Emphasis: Parallelism helps create a sense of balance and emphasizes the similarities or contrasts between different ideas. Use parallel structures to show that the ideas are equally important or to highlight their differences.
For example:
Parallel (balance): The teacher asked us to read the book, analyze the characters, and write a summary.
Parallel (emphasis): I not only want to visit Paris, but also to explore its rich culture and sample its delicious cuisine.
Remember, practice is key to mastering parallelism. Read and analyze different examples, and try incorporating parallel structures in your own writing. Over time, it will become more natural to use parallelism in your sentences.
I hope this explanation helps you grasp the concept of parallelism. Let me know if you have any further questions!