From the contact form on the White House’s website

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What kind of error is in the above sentence?

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From the contact form on the White House’s website

RIGHT! Faulty Parallelism This question is for testing whether you are

a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and for preventing automated spam submissions.

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UWF WRITING LABRULES OF THUMB FOR

PARALLELISM

From Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon

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This is PARALLELISM:

A sign inside an elevator:

4500 lbs or 2800 kg or 28 persons

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These sentences contain unparallel items.

This is a report that Savanna researched, Pat wrote, and

the editing was done by Justin. Savanna researched Pat wrote the editing was done by Justin

Rather than arrive late for the show, she decided either to cut short her previous engagement or that she should

reschedule it. to cut short her previous engagement  that she should reschedule it

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These sentences contain unparallel items (From Understanding English Grammar). Not only did the financial experts underestimate the

economic downturn, but they delayed in taking action to change its course.

Not only did the financial experts underestimate . . . but they delayed . . .

I’ll either take the bus or a taxi. take the bus a taxi

Either they will fly straight home or stop overnight in

Vallejo. they will fly straight home  stop overnight in Vallejo 6

PARALLELISM

The secret to parallelism: make sure everything is the same.

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Now, everything is the same.

This is a report that Savanna researched, Pat wrote, and

Justin edited. Savanna researched Pat wrote Justin edited

Rather than arrive late for the show, she decided either to cut short her previous engagement or to reschedule it.

to cut short her previous engagement  to reschedule it

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Now, everything is the same. Not only did the financial experts underestimate the

economic downturn, but they also delayed in taking action to change its course.

Not only did the financial experts underestimate . . . but they also delayed . . .

I’ll take either the bus or a taxi. either the bus or a taxi

Either they will fly straight home or stop overnight in

Vallejo. they will either fly straight home  or stop overnight in Vallejo 9

Everything must be the same.

Insert card. Remove the nozzle. Push button to

select fuel grade. Begin fueling. Return nozzle to the

pump.

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Everything must be the same.

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Everything must be the same.

Ask not what your country can do for you: ask what you can do for your country.

- JFK

Don’t ask, don’t tell.

Neither a borrower nor a lender be, for a loan oft loses both itself and friend.

- The Bard of Avon

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If everything is not the same . . .

Jason is not only captain of the soccer team but president of SGA.

He was black, gay, and grew up in poverty, but none of these things determined who he was or limited what he did.

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Everything is the same.

Jason is not only captain of the soccer team but also president of SGA.

He was black, gay, and poor, but none of these things determined who he was or limited what he did.

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Parallelism = Balance

Watch for parallelism in sentences with two or more items (words, phrases, clauses) connected by a conjunction in a series.

CAREERS – Nonparallel Items

accounting

medical and legal professionals

hair stylists

teaching

computer science

CAREERS

accountants

medical and legal professionals

hair stylists

teachers/educators

computer scientists

CAREERS

accounting

medicine and law

cosmetology

education

computer science

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Parallelism in Everyday Use

See it. Shoot it. Send it.

(From a WEAR TV-3 News Ad)

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Parallelism in Everyday Use

Truth

Justice

and

The American Way

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Common Conjunctions in Parallel Items

Coordinating Conjunctions: fanboys

For And Nor But Or Yet So

Correlative Conjunctions

Either . . . or Neither . . . nor Both . . . and Not only . . . but also Whether . . . or

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When you’re proofreading . . .

Look for the conjunction: AND

Then match the left and right side of the conjunction: Not a match: black, gay, and grew up in poverty

A match: black, gay, and poor

He was black, gay, and poor, but none of these things determined who he was or limited what he did.

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When you’re proofreading . . .

Look for the conjunction: OR

Then match the left and right side of the conjunction:

determined who he was or

limited what he did

He was black, gay, and poor, but none of these things determined who he was or limited what he did.

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Parallelism with words, phrases, clauses, and sentences linked by conjunctions

The two team captains were watching the practice and finding fault with every play.

According to the polls, Alvin Greene didn’t have a chance, yet he won by a landslide.

They were looking for someone who could run the office but who would “work for peanuts.”

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Parallelism in Compounds with Correlatives

Ora spent the entire trip either arguing with me or with Virginia.

The proposed exam will not only affect curricula but provide uniform standards of assessment.

Ora spent the entire trip arguing either with me or with Virginia.

The proposed exam will not only affect curricula but also provide uniform standards of assessment.

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Remember to use “not only” with “but also,” not just “but.”

INCORRECT

I always liked going to church not only as an obligation but as an opportunity to wear my new clothes.

CORRECT

I always liked going to church not only as an obligation but also as an opportunity to wear my new clothes.

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Parallelism in Series

We need a plumber, plasterer, and someone to paint.

Our vacation included camping, canoeing, and to watch birds.

She described the accident fully, accurately, and with succinctness.

We need a plumber, plasterer, and painter.

Our vacation included camping, canoeing, and bird-watching.

She described the accident fully, accurately, and succinctly.

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Parallelism in Outlines

Levels of English Usage

I. Standard

A. Informal English

1. Colloquialisms

2. Slang

3. Cliches

B. Formal English

1. Academic English

2. Business English

II. Nonstandard English

A. Dialect

B. Misspoken forms

C. “Bad” English

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Parallelism with Words

WRONG: This proposal is profitable, timely, and it helps us.

RIGHT: This proposal is profitable, timely, and helpful.

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Parallelism with Phrases

WRONG: A good attitude, being on time, and speaking effectively are her attributes.

RIGHT: Having a good attitude, being on time, and speaking effectively are her attributes.

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Parallelism with Clauses

WRONG: Did you know that you have a purpose, that you are needed, and we love you?

RIGHT: Did you know that you have a purpose, that you are needed, and that you are loved?

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Parallelism may involve REPETITION.

Warner graduated from Harvard Law School without honors, without a girlfriend, and without a job.

- From Legally Blonde

Of the people, by the people, and for the people

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A FEW REMINDERS…

“Not only” NEEDS “but also,” NOT JUST “but”

EXAMPLE:

Vitamin A is found not only in vegetables but in eggs and butter.

Vitamin A is found not only in vegetables but also in eggs and butter.

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A FEW REMINDERS… “Either” NEEDS

“or,” NOT “nor.” EXAMPLE:

The steaks at the new restaurant are either overcooked nor undercooked.

“Neither” NEEDS “nor,” NOT “or.”

EXAMPLE:Neither the victim’s name or his condition is known.

The steaks at the new restaurant are either overcooked or undercooked.

Neither the victim’s name nor his condition is known.

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A FEW REMINDERS…

EVERYTHING MUST BE THE SAME.

Learn about your community: its strengths, its challenges, its organizations, and its people.

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LET’S PRACTICE!!!

Many gases are invisible, odorless, and they have no taste. Many gases are invisible, odorless, and

tasteless. Mr. Foster is not only an excellent barber

but also sings well. Mr. Foster is not only an excellent barber

but also a good singer.33

LET’S PRACTICE!!!

Either I will meet you in the lobby or come to your room.

I will either meet you in the lobby or come to your room.

He said that he would arrive late and I shouldn’t start the rehearsal without him.

He said that he would arrive late and that I shouldn’t start the rehearsal without him.

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LET’S PRACTICE A LITTLE MORE!!!

Three of the steps in filing are coding, sorting, and to store.

Three of the steps in filing are coding, sorting, and storing.

Without federal taxes, we would have neither an army or a navy.

Without federal taxes, we would have neither an army nor a navy.

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His books are timely, well-written, and a real challenge.

His books are timely, well-written, and challenging.

The car needs to be tuned up, air in the tires, and the oil needs to be changed.

The car needs a tune-up, air in the tires, and an oil change.

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The contamination of air continues, and it threatens not only the comfort but the existence of the earth’s inhabitants.

The contamination of air continues, and it threatens not only the comfort but also the existence of the earth’s inhabitants.

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