UWF WRITING LAB RULES OF THUMB FOR PARALLELISM

1. UWF WRITING LABRULES OF THUMB FOR PARALLELISM From Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon Created by April Turner

2. PARALLELISM • The secret to the parallelism test: make sure everything is the same.

3. 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?

4. 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.

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

6. A FEW REMINDERS… • “not only” NEEDS “but also” NOT JUST “but” • EXAMPLE: • Vitamin A is found not only in vegetables, but eggs and butter have it. • Vitamin A is found not only in vegetables, but also in eggs and butter.

7. “either” NEEDS “or” NOT “nor” EXAMPLE: The shirt must be either red nor black. The shirt must be either red or black. “neither” NEEDS “nor” NOT “or” EXAMPLE: I found neither his bongo playing or his glockenspiel practicing objectionable. I found neither his bongo playing nor his glockenspiel practicing objectionable. A FEW REMINDERS…

8. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS • Does anyone have any questions regarding parallelism? • PLEASE ASK!!!

9. 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.

10. LET’S PRACTICE A LITTLE MORE!!! • Three of the steps in filing are to code, to sort, and storing. • Three of the steps in filing are to code, to sort, and to store. • Without federal taxes, we would have neither an army or a navy. • Without federal taxes, we would have neither an army nor a navy.