Basic grammar for GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, SAT, and IELTS: Parallelism Theory and exercises

Basic grammar for GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, SAT, and IELTS: Parallelism Theory and exercises

Wikipedia defines Parallelism in grammar as a balance of two or more similar words, phrases or clauses.. Maintenance of parallelism improves style, and enhances readability. In order to maintain parallelism of the predicate, in certain sentence structures, one can conveniently avoid restatement of the subject.


How do we spot faulty parallelism and correct it? Here are some areas to look forward to
They mostly occur around the use of co-coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, the lists in a series, comparisons and contrasts using than or as (i.e., more than, as much as) and parts of speech such as prepositions, articles, infinitives, words that introduce clauses, and the active and passive voices. .


1. Co-coordinating conjunctions (and, or, but, for, so, yet, or nor

On either side of the coordinating conjunctions, one should maintain the same structure.

Incorrect: I want complete freedom and to be guided
Correct: I want complete freedom and guidance


Incorrect He seems to want to go to Delhi but went to Mumbai
Correct: He seems to want to go to Delhi but goes to Mumbai



Correlative Conjunctions

either A or B
neither A nor B
both A and B
not only A but also B
whether A or B

On both the sides of the correlative conjunctions, it is necessary to maintain the same structure. One should avoid also the splitting of the correlative conjunction.


Vasu not only broke Indian traditions, but also was destroying Nataraj's life
Vasu not only broke Indian traditions, but also destroyed Nataraj's life. Or
Vasu was not only breaking Indian traditions, but also destroying Nataraj's life

3. The lists in a series

.
IMPORTANT: It is important to identify the elements of the series first. In each series, the last factor is always preceded by the word “and” which marks the end of the series. If there are more than one series, then the last series by itself has to be again preceded by another “and”. If there are more than one series in a passage, ensure that each of the series maintains its own parallel structure.
E.g.: Incorrect: Onset of Diabetes is indicated by the rise in the levels of urine sugar, blood sugar, water thirst and the fall in the levels of body stamina, eye vision.

Correct: Onset of Diabetes is indicated by the rise in the levels of urine sugar, blood sugar, and water thirst and by the fall in the levels of body stamina, and eye vision.


Here the onset of Diabetes is indicated by two series of factors. The first of the series is marked by the rise in the levels of three factors such as urine sugar, blood sugar and water thirst. Here,since water thirst is the end of the first series, it has to be preceded by an “and”. The second of the series is marked by the fall of certain factors and this second series has to be separated from the first series by an “and”. It must also be noted that within the second series, the two factors have again to be joined by the conjunction “and”

Example 2,
• Incorrect: Harry likes playing, swimming, and to ski.
• Correct: Harry likes playing, swimming, and skiing.
• Correct: Harry likes to play , to swim and to ski
The third element of the series is an infinitive while the first two are gerunds. In order to make the sentence parallel, either change the infinitive to gerund or change the gerunds to infinitive.
• Lists after a colon should be expressed in the same part of speech
Incorrect: Internet can be used for these purposes: to search materials, to communicate through emails and seeing movies

Correct: Internet can be used for these purposes: to search materials, to communicate through emails and to see movies





4. Comparisons and contrasts

Incorrect: TOM does not like Dick as much as he seemed to like Harry.

Correct: Tom does not like Dick as much as he likes Harry.


Incorrect: In The Mahabharata, we sympathize with Karna more than Duryodhana.

Correct: In The Mahabharata, we sympathize with Karna more than we sympathize with Duryodhana.


5. Parts of speech such as prepositions, articles, infinitives, words that introduce clauses etc


Prepositions (to, by, in, for)
Articles (a, an, the)
The infinitive (to)
Introductory words (that, who, which, because, when)


When w use the above words in one part of the sentence, it is essential to use the same in the other parts too in order to maintain parallelism. An introductory word that begins one clause must begin the others.

Preposition
20 percent rise is a large figure for men and women
20 percent rise is a large figure for men and for women.

Article
I am enchanted by the classical music and folk music
I am enchanted by the classical music and the folk music
I am enchanted by classical music and folk music


Infinitive
I like to cook and serving
I like to cook and to serve

Introductory words

I endorsed that Tom was correct in his stance and he used his authority properly
I endorsed that Tom was correct in his stance and that he used his authority properly
.
Use of active and passive voices in different parts

Incorrect: The railway administration ignored the vital aspect of the passenger safety and the drivers were compelled to continue working for more than 12 hours a day.


Correct: The railway administration ignored the vital aspect of the passenger safety and compelled the drivers to continue working for more than 12 hours a day




Some more examples of parallel errors

1. Incorrect: Previously, international communication was done through telex and fax while now the internet medium is employed.

Correct: Previously, international communication was done through telex and fax while now it is done through internet medium.


2. Incorrect: The Indian community comprises the Tamilians, .the Oriyans, Bengalis and Punjabis.

Correct: The Indian community comprises the Tamilians, .the Oriyans, the Bengalis and the Punjabis.

3. Incorrect: In March, May or in June
Correct: In March, May or June
Correct: In March, in May or in June

4. Incorrect: The film was both a long one and very boring
Correct: The film was both long and boring


5. Incorrect: January First is a not day for rejoicing but retrospection
Correct: January First is a not day for rejoicing but for retrospection

6. Incorrect: Either you must go to Delhi with him or will get punished by him
Correct: Either you must go to Delhi with him or she will go.
Correct: You must either go to Delhi with him to or get punished


7. Incorrect: I object that this novel is misleading and it is instigating
Correct: I object that this novel is misleading and that it is instigating

8. Incorrect: No body knows GMAT as us
Correct: No body knows GMAT as we do

9. Incorrect: The tutor advised the students that they should form a frame work of the essay, that they should mention their thesis in the first paragraph and to give as many examples as possible in the body

Correct: The tutor advised the students that they should form a frame work of the essay, that they should mention their thesis in the first paragraph and that they should give as many examples as possible in the body.

Correct: The tutor advised the students that they should form a frame work of the essay, mention their thesis in the first paragraph and give as many examples as possible in the body

10. Incorrect: Some students assume that GMAT is quite easy to prepare and that they can take the test after referring to free materials and that Quants section can be easily passed by knowing some short cuts

Correct: Some students assume that GMAT is quite easy to prepare, that they can take the test after referring to free materials available on the internet and that they can easily pass Quants section by knowing some short cuts