What is Parallelism In English Grammar ? Give A brief Discussion on It.

What is Parallelism in English Grammar ?

Parallelism means similarity in value, construction and position. A sentence with parallel structure contains words that are parallel or similar in form and function. In fact sentences with parallel structure are balanced and easy to read as a noun balanced by a noun and verb by a verb. In other words we can say that all must have grammatical form.

A) Words are balanced with Words

Example:-

i) Snakes, Crocodiles and lizards and whales are all reptiles.

ii) Traditional methods of food preservation include drying, smoking and pickling.

B) Phrase are balanced with phrases

Example:-

i) In Shimla it is colder in January than in February.

C) Clauses are balanced with clauses.

Example:-

i) Psychologists study how we think and why we act.

How to Correct faulty parallelism ?

To correct a sentence containing faulty parallelism, it usually takes only a few moments of thinking and rewriting and of course some knowledge of the parts of speech.

Rules of Parallelism

Rule No :- 1

 Correcting Non-parallel words

In a series of words, each word should be of the same part of speech. You should be careful not match a series of words with a phrase or a clause.

Example:-

1. The qualities of a good soldier are loyalty, honesty and being brave.  (❌)

The qualities of a good soldier are loyalty, honesty and bravery  (✔️)

Rule No :- 2

Correcting Non-parallel phrase

Non-parallel phrase: -  When ideas are presented in a series of phrase, make sure that each phrase is of same type.

Example:- 

1.They travelled to Delhi, to Agra and visited Shimla. (❌)

They travelled to Delhi, Agra and Shimla. (✔️)

Rule No :- 3

Correcting Non-parallel clauses

Non-parallel clauses:- When a series of a subordinate clauses is presented, each clause should be of the same type.

Example:-

1. Our lawyer accepts cases that are worthy and if she thinks she will win. (❌)

Our lawyer accepts cases that are worthy and that she thinks she will win. (✔️)

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