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Parallelism is a key element of good writing, helping sentences to sound balanced and clear. Faulty parallelism occurs when parts of a sentence are not grammatically similar, which can confuse readers or weaken your writing. Learning to identify and fix these issues is essential for effective communication.
What Is Faulty Parallelism?
Faulty parallelism happens when similar ideas in a sentence are not expressed in the same grammatical form. For example, mixing a noun with a verb form can disrupt the flow. Consider the sentence: “She likes dancing, to sing, and swimming.” The list is not parallel because “dancing” and “swimming” are gerunds, while “to sing” is an infinitive.
How to Identify Faulty Parallelism
Look for lists, comparisons, or paired ideas in sentences. Check if the elements are in the same grammatical structure. Common signs include:
- Mixed verb forms or parts of speech within a list
- Unequal sentence structures in comparisons
- Inconsistent patterns in phrases or clauses
How to Fix Faulty Parallelism
To correct faulty parallelism, revise the sentence so that all elements follow the same grammatical pattern. Here are some tips:
- Use the same verb form for all items in a list
- Match nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, and phrases with phrases
- Read the sentence aloud to check for rhythm and balance
Example of Corrected Sentences
Original: “He enjoys reading, to write, and playing sports.”
Corrected: “He enjoys reading, writing, and playing sports.”
Original: “The team needs to train hard, to stay focused, and being disciplined.”
Corrected: “The team needs to train hard, stay focused, and be disciplined.”
Conclusion
Mastering parallelism enhances the clarity and professionalism of your writing. By carefully checking your sentences for consistency in structure and fixing any irregularities, you can communicate your ideas more effectively. Practice regularly to develop an eye for parallelism and improve your overall writing skills.