Faulty parallelism

Definition

Faulty parallelism occurs when elements in a sentence that are meant to be parallel in structure are not, leading to confusion or a lack of clarity. This can disrupt the flow and coherence of writing, making it hard for readers to understand the relationships between ideas. Maintaining parallel structure is essential for creating balanced and effective sentences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Faulty parallelism often occurs in lists or series where elements should share the same grammatical form but do not.
2. Common examples of faulty parallelism include mixing verb forms or noun phrases within a single list, which can confuse readers.
3. Correcting faulty parallelism enhances readability and ensures that ideas are presented clearly and cohesively.
4. The presence of faulty parallelism can weaken arguments by making sentences less persuasive and harder to follow.
5. Recognizing and fixing faulty parallelism is crucial for effective writing, particularly in academic and professional contexts.

Review Questions

• How does faulty parallelism impact the clarity and effectiveness of writing?
  • Faulty parallelism impacts clarity by creating confusion within sentences, making it difficult for readers to understand the relationships between ideas. When elements that should be parallel are mismatched, it disrupts the flow of thought and can lead to misinterpretation. This lack of coherence can weaken the overall effectiveness of the writing, as clear communication is essential for persuading or informing an audience.
• Identify an example of faulty parallelism and explain how it can be revised to improve clarity.
  • An example of faulty parallelism would be: 'She enjoys reading, jogging, and to swim.' The phrase 'to swim' does not match the gerund forms 'reading' and 'jogging.' To improve clarity, this could be revised to: 'She enjoys reading, jogging, and swimming.' This revision ensures that all elements share the same grammatical structure, enhancing the sentence's readability.
• Evaluate the role of conjunctions in maintaining parallel structure and preventing faulty parallelism in writing.
  • Conjunctions play a vital role in maintaining parallel structure by linking similar elements within a sentence. When conjunctions are used correctly with parallel phrases, they help create balance and rhythm, which makes the writing more engaging. If conjunctions are applied inconsistently, they can contribute to faulty parallelism, leading to unclear or awkward sentences. Thus, understanding how to use conjunctions effectively is key to preventing faulty structures.

Related terms

parallel structure: The use of similar grammatical structures in phrases or clauses to create balance and rhythm in writing.

sentence fragment:

A group of words that does not express a complete thought and often results from incorrect or incomplete parallelism.

conjunctions: Words that connect clauses or sentences, which play a significant role in maintaining parallel structure when used correctly.