Parallelism (grammar) facts for kids

Imagine you're building with LEGOs. If all the bricks are the same size and shape, it's easy to build something strong and neat. Parallelism in writing is a bit like that! It's when you use words, phrases, or parts of sentences that have a similar pattern. This makes your writing flow smoothly and sound balanced, just like a well-built LEGO tower. It helps your ideas be super clear and easy for others to understand.

Understanding Parallelism in Writing

Parallelism is a writing trick that uses similar grammatical structures. This means if you list several things, they should all be in the same form. For example, if you start with a verb ending in "-ing," all the other verbs in that list should also end in "-ing." This creates a sense of balance and rhythm. It makes your sentences easy to read and understand.

Why Parallelism Matters

Using parallelism makes your writing much stronger and clearer. It helps your readers follow your ideas without getting confused.

• Clarity: When sentences are parallel, your ideas are easy to grasp. It shows that the items in a list or comparison are equally important.
• Rhythm and Flow: Parallel structures create a pleasing rhythm. This makes your writing sound good when read aloud. It helps sentences flow smoothly from one idea to the next.
• Impact: Parallelism can make your points more memorable. Think of famous speeches; many use parallel structures to make their words powerful.

How to Spot Parallelism

You can find parallelism in different parts of a sentence. It can be with single words, groups of words (phrases), or even whole parts of sentences (clauses).

Parallel Words

This is the simplest type of parallelism. It means using words of the same type in a list.

• Incorrect: She likes to run, jumping, and to swim.
• Correct: She likes to run, jump, and swim. (All are verbs)
• Correct: The dog was fluffy, playful, and loyal. (All are adjectives)

Parallel Phrases

Phrases are groups of words that work together but don't have a subject and a verb. When you list phrases, they should all start or be structured in the same way.

• Incorrect: He enjoys hiking in the mountains, to explore caves, and fishing in the lake.
• Correct: He enjoys hiking in the mountains, exploring caves, and fishing in the lake. (All start with a verb ending in "-ing" followed by a noun phrase)
• Correct: She wanted to travel to Paris, to Rome, and to Tokyo. (All are prepositional phrases)

Parallel Clauses

Clauses are parts of a sentence that contain a subject and a verb. When you use parallel clauses, each clause should have a similar structure.

• Incorrect: What you say, and what you do, and your actions are important.
• Correct: What you say, what you do, and what you believe are important. (All start with "What you..." followed by a verb)
• Correct: The teacher explained that students should study hard and that they should ask questions. (Both clauses start with "that" and have a similar structure)

Using Parallelism in Your Writing

Parallelism is a great tool for making your writing clear and impactful. Here are some places you can use it:

• In Lists: Always make sure items in a list are parallel. This is the most common use.
• In Comparisons: When you compare two things, make sure the way you describe them is parallel.
• In Speeches: Many famous speakers use parallelism to make their messages powerful and easy to remember. Think of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, where he repeats "I have a dream" to create a strong effect.
• In Headings and Outlines: Using parallel structure for headings in a report or points in an outline makes your work look neat and organized.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

It's easy to accidentally break parallelism, but once you know what to look for, you can fix it!

• Mixing Forms: The biggest mistake is mixing different grammatical forms in a list. For example, don't mix verbs with nouns or "-ing" words with "to" verbs.

* Bad: She likes reading, to write, and painting. * Good: She likes reading, writing, and painting.

• Uneven Structures: Make sure each part of your parallel structure starts the same way. If one item in a list is a full sentence, all items should be.

By paying attention to parallelism, you can make your writing much more professional and easier for everyone to understand!