1. Faulty Parallelism Faulty Parallelism By placing two or more ideas of equal value in the same grammatical form will enable us to express these ideas clearly and emphatically. However, to position parallel ideas properly, we must pay close attention to the logic of grammatical relationship.By placing two or more ideas of equal value in the same grammatical form will enable us to express these ideas clearly and emphatically. However, to position parallel ideas properly, we must pay close attention to the logic of grammatical relationship. 1. Correcting faulty coordination1. Correcting faulty coordination When word groups are linked by a coordinating conjunction, they should each have the same grammatical construction. Consider the parallel structure of the following word groups:When word groups are linked by a coordinating conjunction, they should each have the same grammatical construction. Consider the parallel structure of the following word groups:

2. Her office is small, chilly and dirty, (parallel adjectives)Her office is small, chilly and dirty, (parallel adjectives) I enjoy football and hockey. (parallel nouns)I enjoy football and hockey. (parallel nouns) Our dog ran across the lawn and under the hedge. ( parallel phrases)Our dog ran across the lawn and under the hedge. ( parallel phrases) We requested that he sing our favorite songs and he allow us to record them. (parallel clauses)We requested that he sing our favorite songs and he allow us to record them. (parallel clauses) I want to learn English, and she wants to learn French. (parallel sentences)I want to learn English, and she wants to learn French. (parallel sentences)

3. Notice how awkward sentences look and sound when they contain unequal elements:Notice how awkward sentences look and sound when they contain unequal elements: She works diligently and at night.She works diligently and at night. He spends a great deal of money and foolishly.He spends a great deal of money and foolishly. I was told to report to the supervisor and that I should bring my tools.I was told to report to the supervisor and that I should bring my tools.

4. (a) And Who I And Which Construction And who / and which construction is one of the most common yet most serious errors made by the students, for it results in an illogical link between dependent and independent clauses. To avoid this error, follow this rule: Never use and who or and which clauses unless they are preceded by who or which clauses.(a) And Who I And Which Construction And who / and which construction is one of the most common yet most serious errors made by the students, for it results in an illogical link between dependent and independent clauses. To avoid this error, follow this rule: Never use and who or and which clauses unless they are preceded by who or which clauses. Tom Clark, who is wise and intelligent and who is our union representative, has been promoted to foreman.Tom Clark, who is wise and intelligent and who is our union representative, has been promoted to foreman. James Joyce's Ulysses, which is a long and complicated novel, and which is on our reading list, has been banned by the school board.James Joyce's Ulysses, which is a long and complicated novel, and which is on our reading list, has been banned by the school board.

5. (b) Correlative Conjunctions(b) Correlative Conjunctions Correlative conjunctions are always used in pairs: either... or; neither... nor; not only... but also; both... and. Because they are used to compare and contrast similar statements, each part of the conjunction must be followed by the same grammatical conjunction. The proper use of correlative conjunctions will enable you to write clear, well-balanced sentences.Correlative conjunctions are always used in pairs: either... or; neither... nor; not only... but also; both... and. Because they are used to compare and contrast similar statements, each part of the conjunction must be followed by the same grammatical conjunction. The proper use of correlative conjunctions will enable you to write clear, well-balanced sentences. Unbalanced He wants either to study English Literature or study World History. Balanced He wants to study either English Literature or World History.Unbalanced He wants either to study English Literature or study World History. Balanced He wants to study either English Literature or World History. Unbalanced Our new car not only is more economical but also it is more comfortable than our old one.Unbalanced Our new car not only is more economical but also it is more comfortable than our old one. Balanced Our new car is not only more economical but also more comfortable than our old one.Balanced Our new car is not only more economical but also more comfortable than our old one.

6. 2. Making a series of parallels2. Making a series of parallels When words or groups of words are placed in a series, they must be parallel in both meaning and structure. Observe how the proper use of parallel tightens your sentence structure and clarifies your meaning.When words or groups of words are placed in a series, they must be parallel in both meaning and structure. Observe how the proper use of parallel tightens your sentence structure and clarifies your meaning. FAULTY When we arrived home, we unpacked our suitcases, took showers, and then we went to sleep after eating our lunch.FAULTY When we arrived home, we unpacked our suitcases, took showers, and then we went to sleep after eating our lunch. REVISED When we arrived home, we unpacked our suitcases, took showers, ate our lunch, and went to sleep.REVISED When we arrived home, we unpacked our suitcases, took showers, ate our lunch, and went to sleep. FAULTY Many people choose air transportation because it is fast, offers convenience, and it is not very expensive.FAULTY Many people choose air transportation because it is fast, offers convenience, and it is not very expensive. REVISED Many people choose air transportation because it is fast, convenient, and inexpensive.REVISED Many people choose air transportation because it is fast, convenient, and inexpensive.

7. FAULTY You should strive to cooperate with your colleagues to bring about change, for improving communication and professional development.FAULTY You should strive to cooperate with your colleagues to bring about change, for improving communication and professional development. REVISED You should strive to cooperate with your colleagues to bring about change, to improve communication, and to further professional development.REVISED You should strive to cooperate with your colleagues to bring about change, to improve communication, and to further professional development.

8. 3. Watching incorrect omissions3. Watching incorrect omissions By omitting essential words in a parallel construction, you force one word to serve the grammatical requirements of two different statements. One of the most common errors of omission in student writing occurs in the has I have, will, shall constructions. Examples:By omitting essential words in a parallel construction, you force one word to serve the grammatical requirements of two different statements. One of the most common errors of omission in student writing occurs in the has I have, will, shall constructions. Examples: He always has and always will compete for the highest honor. I always have and always shall practice diligently.He always has and always will compete for the highest honor. I always have and always shall practice diligently.

9. To correct this type of omission error, test the verb with each of its auxiliary words; if it appears in the wrong tense, the construction is unparalleled.To correct this type of omission error, test the verb with each of its auxiliary words; if it appears in the wrong tense, the construction is unparalleled. CORRECTION He has always competed ( not compete) and always will compete (not competed) for the highest honor.CORRECTION He has always competed ( not compete) and always will compete (not competed) for the highest honor. I have always practiced (not practice) diligently and always shall. (Practice is understood. )I have always practiced (not practice) diligently and always shall. (Practice is understood. )

10. 4. Comparisons using than or as4. Comparisons using than or as When than or as are used to join parallel constructions, make sure that the things or ideas they compare are logically and grammatically alike.When than or as are used to join parallel constructions, make sure that the things or ideas they compare are logically and grammatically alike. ILLOGICALILLOGICAL The students attending our school are more intelligent than your school. (Compare people — students, that is, to a thing — a building. )The students attending our school are more intelligent than your school. (Compare people — students, that is, to a thing — a building. )

11. LOGICALLOGICAL The students attending our school are more intelligent than the students attending your school.The students attending our school are more intelligent than the students attending your school. ILLOGICALILLOGICAL His learning is as extensive as Paul. (Compare an abstract quality — learning, to a proper noun — Paul)His learning is as extensive as Paul. (Compare an abstract quality — learning, to a proper noun — Paul) LOGICALLOGICAL His learning is as extensive as Paul's learning. (Or simply Paul's)His learning is as extensive as Paul's learning. (Or simply Paul's)

12. PracticePractice After each of the following sentences containing errors in parallel construction, write P in the blank at the left. Then write the sentence correctly. If the sentence contains no error, write C instead of P. Example:After each of the following sentences containing errors in parallel construction, write P in the blank at the left. Then write the sentence correctly. If the sentence contains no error, write C instead of P. Example: I cannot decide whether I should remain in school or to withdraw. Revised:I cannot decide whether I should remain in school or to withdraw. Revised: I cannot decide whether to remain in school or to withdraw.I cannot decide whether to remain in school or to withdraw.

13. 1. I decided to live in this city because I wanted a better job for its social activities, and because of a clean environment. 2. My sister was a teacher, a school principal, and finally she became a successful business executive.1. I decided to live in this city because I wanted a better job for its social activities, and because of a clean environment. 2. My sister was a teacher, a school principal, and finally she became a successful business executive. 3. Carl wants not only to compare, but he wants also to win a gold medal.3. Carl wants not only to compare, but he wants also to win a gold medal. 4. She is neither young nor is she inexperienced.4. She is neither young nor is she inexperienced. 5. My father's car is sporty, fast, expensive, and it is also quite comfortable.5. My father's car is sporty, fast, expensive, and it is also quite comfortable. 6. Debbie enjoys playing cards, reading novels, listening to classical music, and going on camping trips.6. Debbie enjoys playing cards, reading novels, listening to classical music, and going on camping trips.

14. 7. Our school's computers are more advanced than your school.7. Our school's computers are more advanced than your school. 8. Soccer is Europe's most popular sport, and which is becoming more popular every year in North America.8. Soccer is Europe's most popular sport, and which is becoming more popular every year in North America. 9. I am either going to study electrical engineering at university, or I might try studying electrical technology at our local community college.9. I am either going to study electrical engineering at university, or I might try studying electrical technology at our local community college. 10. He is not only a star basketball player but also an excellent student.10. He is not only a star basketball player but also an excellent student. 11. My parents always have and always will vote in the national election.11. My parents always have and always will vote in the national election. 12. She contributes and works for the peace movement in Canada.12. She contributes and works for the peace movement in Canada.

15. 13. Dominic not only works hard, he studies hard as well.13. Dominic not only works hard, he studies hard as well. 14. Jack helps his wife by dusting and cooking his own meals.14. Jack helps his wife by dusting and cooking his own meals. 15. When we arrived at the lake, we unpacked the car, fed the dog, and aired out the cottage.15. When we arrived at the lake, we unpacked the car, fed the dog, and aired out the cottage. 16. Our city's buildings are not as modern as your city.16. Our city's buildings are not as modern as your city. 17. Both our teachers as well as our students wanted the gymnasium repainted.17. Both our teachers as well as our students wanted the gymnasium repainted. 18. My favorite teacher, a native of Australia, and who is also our tennis coach, is moving to another city next semester.18. My favorite teacher, a native of Australia, and who is also our tennis coach, is moving to another city next semester.

16. 19. An industrial plant with well-motivated and qualified workers and having the latest high- technology equipment will succeed in today's competition marketplace19. An industrial plant with well-motivated and qualified workers and having the latest high- technology equipment will succeed in today's competition marketplace 20. My sister asked for the family car and that she be allowed to stay out after twelve o'clock.20. My sister asked for the family car and that she be allowed to stay out after twelve o'clock. 21. If I had my choice of seeing a rock concert or opera, I would choose the opera.21. If I had my choice of seeing a rock concert or opera, I would choose the opera. 22. My teacher asked me to state my opinion of the short story and that I should talk about the main character.22. My teacher asked me to state my opinion of the short story and that I should talk about the main character.

17. 23. Susan always has promoted women's rights and always will.23. Susan always has promoted women's rights and always will. 24. Sky-diving is extremely hazardous and which requires great skill and concentration.24. Sky-diving is extremely hazardous and which requires great skill and concentration. 25. My mother studied physics, mathematics, and now she is studying world history.25. My mother studied physics, mathematics, and now she is studying world history. 26. Maria not only collects old coins, she collects stamps as well.26. Maria not only collects old coins, she collects stamps as well. 27. Hockey in Canada is more popular than the United States.27. Hockey in Canada is more popular than the United States.