Sentence correction parallelism
52 flashcards covering Sentence correction parallelism for the GMAT Verbal section.
Parallelism in sentence correction is a key grammatical principle that ensures elements in a sentence performing similar functions are structured in the same way. For instance, in a list of items or a series of actions, each part should match in form—such as using parallel verbs or phrases—to create balance and clarity. This makes your writing more logical and easier to read, avoiding awkwardness or confusion.
On the GMAT Verbal section, parallelism shows up in Sentence Correction questions, where you identify and fix errors in sentence structure among multiple-choice options. Common traps include mismatched elements in lists, comparisons, or clauses, like pairing a noun with a verb phrase, which can lead to incorrect answers if you overlook subtle inconsistencies. Focus on spotting these issues by checking for uniform grammar, such as consistent verb tenses or prepositional phrases, to boost your accuracy.
Always ensure that items in a list use the same grammatical structure.
Terms (52)
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What is parallelism?
Parallelism is a grammatical principle that requires elements in a sentence that are similar in importance, structure, or function to be expressed in a consistent grammatical form for clarity and balance.
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Parallel structure in a series
In a series of items, each item must follow the same grammatical pattern, such as all being nouns, verbs, or phrases, to maintain parallelism and avoid confusion.
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Coordinating conjunctions and parallelism
When using coordinating conjunctions like and, but, or or, the elements they connect must be parallel in structure to ensure the sentence flows logically and grammatically.
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Parallelism with verbs
Verbs in a list or connected by conjunctions must be in the same tense and form, such as all present tense or all infinitives, to uphold parallelism.
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Parallelism with nouns
Nouns or noun phrases in a series must match in form and number, ensuring that each is presented in a similar grammatical structure.
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Parallelism with adjectives
Adjectives in a comparison or list must be in the same form, such as all comparative or all superlative, to maintain parallel construction.
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Parallelism with adverbs
Adverbs in a series must share the same structure, like all ending in -ly or all in the same degree, to keep the sentence balanced.
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Parallelism in comparisons
In comparisons using words like than or as, the elements being compared must be structurally similar to ensure logical equivalence.
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Correlative conjunctions and parallelism
Correlative conjunctions such as not only...but also require the phrases or clauses they connect to be parallel in structure for the sentence to be correct.
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Either...or and parallelism
The elements following either and or must be parallel, meaning they should match in grammatical form to avoid errors in coordination.
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Neither...nor and parallelism
Elements after neither and nor must be identical in structure, such as both nouns or both verbs, to maintain parallel balance.
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Both...and and parallelism
The items linked by both and and must be parallel in form, ensuring that the sentence remains grammatically consistent.
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As...as comparisons and parallelism
In as...as structures, the phrases on both sides must be parallel to accurately compare the elements involved.
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Than in comparisons and parallelism
When using than in comparisons, the following elements must mirror the structure of the first part to preserve parallelism.
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Parallelism in infinitive phrases
Infinitive phrases in a series must be structured identically, such as all starting with to + verb, to keep the sentence parallel.
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Parallelism in gerund phrases
Gerund phrases in a list must follow the same pattern, like all beginning with a gerund verb form, to ensure parallelism.
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Parallelism in participle phrases
Participle phrases connected in a sentence must have matching structures to maintain parallelism and clarity.
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Faulty parallelism example
Faulty parallelism occurs when non-parallel elements are used in a sentence, such as mixing a verb with a noun in a series, leading to grammatical inconsistency.
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Correcting a series error
To correct a series error, rewrite the items to match in structure, for instance, changing 'running, to swim, and jumping' to 'running, swimming, and jumping'.
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Parallelism in compound sentences
In compound sentences, the independent clauses joined by conjunctions must be parallel in structure for the sentence to be balanced and correct.
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Parallelism in complex sentences
In complex sentences, dependent clauses must align structurally with the main clause when they are meant to be parallel elements.
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Strategy for spotting parallelism errors
To spot parallelism errors, read the sentence aloud and check if all items in a series or connected phrases follow the same grammatical pattern.
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Common traps in parallelism
Common traps include assuming that words with similar meanings are automatically parallel, when in fact their grammatical forms must also match.
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When to use parallel structure
Use parallel structure whenever elements are listed, compared, or connected by conjunctions to enhance readability and grammatical accuracy.
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Parallelism with prepositional phrases
Prepositional phrases in a series must be parallel, meaning they should all start with the same preposition or follow a consistent pattern.
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Parallelism in appositives
Appositives, which rename or explain nouns, must be parallel in structure to the elements they describe for the sentence to be correct.
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Avoiding dangling modifiers in parallelism
Dangling modifiers can disrupt parallelism by not clearly attaching to the intended subject, so ensure they are placed correctly within parallel structures.
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Parallelism and sentence clarity
Parallelism improves sentence clarity by making similar ideas appear in the same form, helping readers process information more easily.
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Examples of parallel verbs
Parallel verbs might include 'She runs, jumps, and swims' where all are in the same form, contrasting with non-parallel versions like 'She runs, jumping, and swimming'.
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Examples of parallel adjectives
Parallel adjectives could be 'The car is fast, efficient, and reliable,' ensuring all are simple adjectives in a list.
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Non-parallel list correction
Correct a non-parallel list by adjusting elements to match, such as changing 'eating quickly, to run, and sleeping' to 'eating quickly, running, and sleeping'.
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Parallelism in professional writing
In professional writing, parallelism ensures that lists and structures in documents like reports are consistent, aiding in effective communication.
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GMAT parallelism question types
GMAT questions on parallelism often involve identifying and correcting errors in series, comparisons, or conjunctions within sentence correction tasks.
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Identifying parallel elements
To identify parallel elements, look for words or phrases that should logically match, such as those in a list or after conjunctions.
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Parallelism with clauses
Clauses connected by conjunctions must be parallel, meaning they should have similar grammatical structures, like both being independent clauses.
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Parallelism in contrasts
In sentences with contrasts, such as those using but or however, the contrasted elements must be parallel to highlight the difference effectively.
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Overcoming common parallelism pitfalls
Common pitfalls include varying verb tenses or forms unintentionally; overcome them by proofreading for consistency in structure.
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Parallelism in elliptical constructions
In elliptical constructions, where words are omitted for brevity, the remaining elements must still maintain parallel form.
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Advanced parallelism in idioms
Some idioms require parallel structures, like 'not only X but also Y,' where X and Y must match to preserve the idiom's correctness.
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Parallelism with passive voice
When using passive voice in parallel elements, ensure all are in passive form if that's the pattern, to avoid mixing with active voice.
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Subtle parallelism errors
Subtle errors might involve slight differences in phrase length or complexity that disrupt parallelism, even if the parts seem similar.
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Parallelism in definitions
In defining terms, parallel structures can be used for lists of characteristics, ensuring each is phrased identically for precision.
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Correcting correlative errors
To correct errors with correlatives, make sure the elements after each part, like after not only and but also, are parallel in grammar.
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Parallelism and rhythm
Parallelism contributes to the rhythm of a sentence by creating a predictable pattern, which can make writing more persuasive and engaging.
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Parallelism in analogies
In analogies, the compared elements must be parallel to accurately illustrate the relationship being drawn.
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Worked example: Simple series
In the sentence 'She likes to run, swimming, and to jump,' the error is non-parallel infinitives and gerunds; correct it to 'She likes running, swimming, and jumping'.
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Worked example: Comparisons
For 'John is taller than me am,' correct to 'John is taller than I am' to achieve parallelism in the comparison structure.
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Worked example: Conjunctions
Change 'He not only wants success but also he seeks fame' to 'He not only wants success but also seeks fame' for parallel structure.
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Trap: Assuming similarity means parallelism
A trap is thinking that words with the same meaning are parallel; they must also share grammatical form, like both being verbs.
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Trap: Over-parallelizing
Over-parallelizing can lead to errors by forcing unnecessary changes; only apply parallelism where elements are logically equivalent.
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Parallelism in multiple clauses
In sentences with multiple clauses, ensure that parallel clauses maintain the same structure to avoid confusion.
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Parallelism with quantifiers
Quantifiers like all, some, or none in a series must be followed by parallel elements, such as all nouns or all phrases.