Types of Faulty Parallelism

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 10 views

Understanding Parallelism

Parallelism is a fundamental concept in writing that refers to the use of similar grammatical structures to express related ideas. It is essential to maintain parallelism when listing items, presenting comparisons, or describing actions to ensure clarity, coherence, and effectiveness in communication. However, faulty parallelism occurs when parts of a list are not written in the same part of speech, leading to confusion and undermining the credibility of the writer.

What is Faulty Parallelism?

Faulty parallelism is a grammatical error that occurs when the items in a list or the elements in a comparison are not written in the same grammatical form. This can happen when the writer uses different parts of speech, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, or adverbs, to describe the items in the list or the elements in the comparison. For example:

I love reading books, writing stories, and to paint pictures. (faulty parallelism)
I love reading books, writing stories, and painting pictures. (correct parallelism)

In the first example, the verb "to paint" is in the infinitive form, while the other two verbs are in the base form. This creates a faulty parallelism, making the sentence unclear and confusing.

Types of Faulty Parallelism

There are several types of faulty parallelism, including:

Verb form: Using different verb forms, such as base form, past tense, or infinitive form, to describe the items in a list.
Noun form: Using different noun forms, such as singular or plural, to describe the items in a list.
Adjective form: Using different adjective forms, such as positive or comparative, to describe the items in a list.
Adverb form: Using different adverb forms, such as adverbial phrases or adverbial clauses, to describe the items in a list.

Examples of Faulty Parallelism

Here are some examples of faulty parallelism:

I love eating apples, to drink juice, and to play soccer. (faulty parallelism)
I love eating apples, drinking juice, and playing soccer. (correct parallelism)
The company's goals are to increase sales, to improve customer satisfaction, and to expand its market share. (faulty parallelism)
The company's goals are to increase sales, improve customer satisfaction, and expand its market share. (correct parallelism)

Consequences of Faulty Parallelism

Faulty parallelism can have several consequences, including:

Confusion: Faulty parallelism can create confusion and make it difficult for the reader to understand the intended meaning.
Loss of credibility: Faulty parallelism can undermine the credibility of the writer and make the reader question the writer's ability to communicate effectively.
Difficulty in understanding: Faulty parallelism can make it difficult for the reader to understand the intended meaning, leading to frustration and disappointment.

Correcting Faulty Parallelism

Correcting faulty parallelism requires attention to the grammatical structure of the sentence. Here are some tips to help you correct faulty parallelism:

Use the same verb form: Use the same verb form for all the items in the list.
Use the same noun form: Use the same noun form for all the items in the list.
Use the same adjective form: Use the same adjective form for all the items in the list.
Use the same adverb form: Use the same adverb form for all the items in the list.

Conclusion

Faulty parallelism is a common error in writing that can create confusion, undermine credibility, and make it difficult for the reader to understand the intended meaning. By understanding the concept of parallelism and paying attention to the grammatical structure of the sentence, you can correct faulty parallelism and communicate effectively. Remember to use the same verb form, noun form, adjective form, and adverb form for all the items in the list to ensure clarity, coherence, and effectiveness in communication.

Tips for Avoiding Faulty Parallelism

Here are some tips to help you avoid faulty parallelism:

Read your work carefully: Read your work carefully to identify any grammatical errors, including faulty parallelism.
Use a grammar checker: Use a grammar checker to identify any grammatical errors, including faulty parallelism.
Get feedback: Get feedback from others to identify any grammatical errors, including faulty parallelism.
Practice writing: Practice writing to develop your skills and avoid grammatical errors, including faulty parallelism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is faulty parallelism? A: Faulty parallelism is a grammatical error that occurs when the items in a list or the elements in a comparison are not written in the same grammatical form.

Q: What are the types of faulty parallelism? A: There are several types of faulty parallelism, including:

Verb form: Using different verb forms, such as base form, past tense, or infinitive form, to describe the items in a list.
Noun form: Using different noun forms, such as singular or plural, to describe the items in a list.
Adjective form: Using different adjective forms, such as positive or comparative, to describe the items in a list.
Adverb form: Using different adverb forms, such as adverbial phrases or adverbial clauses, to describe the items in a list.

Q: What are some examples of faulty parallelism? A: Here are some examples of faulty parallelism:

I love eating apples, to drink juice, and to play soccer. (faulty parallelism)
I love eating apples, drinking juice, and playing soccer. (correct parallelism)
The company's goals are to increase sales, to improve customer satisfaction, and to expand its market share. (faulty parallelism)
The company's goals are to increase sales, improve customer satisfaction, and expand its market share. (correct parallelism)

Q: What are the consequences of faulty parallelism? A: Faulty parallelism can have several consequences, including:

Confusion: Faulty parallelism can create confusion and make it difficult for the reader to understand the intended meaning.
Loss of credibility: Faulty parallelism can undermine the credibility of the writer and make the reader question the writer's ability to communicate effectively.
Difficulty in understanding: Faulty parallelism can make it difficult for the reader to understand the intended meaning, leading to frustration and disappointment.

Q: How can I correct faulty parallelism? A: Correcting faulty parallelism requires attention to the grammatical structure of the sentence. Here are some tips to help you correct faulty parallelism:

Use the same verb form: Use the same verb form for all the items in the list.
Use the same noun form: Use the same noun form for all the items in the list.
Use the same adjective form: Use the same adjective form for all the items in the list.
Use the same adverb form: Use the same adverb form for all the items in the list.

Q: How can I avoid faulty parallelism? A: Here are some tips to help you avoid faulty parallelism:

Read your work carefully: Read your work carefully to identify any grammatical errors, including faulty parallelism.
Use a grammar checker: Use a grammar checker to identify any grammatical errors, including faulty parallelism.
Get feedback: Get feedback from others to identify any grammatical errors, including faulty parallelism.
Practice writing: Practice writing to develop your skills and avoid grammatical errors, including faulty parallelism.

Q: What are some common mistakes that can lead to faulty parallelism? A: Here are some common mistakes that can lead to faulty parallelism:

Using different verb forms: Using different verb forms, such as base form, past tense, or infinitive form, to describe the items in a list.
Using different noun forms: Using different noun forms, such as singular or plural, to describe the items in a list.
Using different adjective forms: Using different adjective forms, such as positive or comparative, to describe the items in a list.
Using different adverb forms: Using different adverb forms, such as adverbial phrases or adverbial clauses, to describe the items in a list.

Q: Can faulty parallelism be avoided in all cases? A: While it is possible to avoid faulty parallelism in most cases, it is not always possible to avoid it entirely. However, by paying attention to the grammatical structure of the sentence and using the same verb form, noun form, adjective form, and adverb form for all the items in the list, you can minimize the risk of faulty parallelism.

Q: What are some resources that can help me learn more about faulty parallelism? A: Here are some resources that can help you learn more about faulty parallelism:

Grammar guides: Grammar guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style or the AP Stylebook, can provide guidance on how to avoid faulty parallelism.
Online resources: Online resources, such as grammar websites or blogs, can provide tips and examples on how to avoid faulty parallelism.
Writing courses: Writing courses or workshops can provide instruction on how to avoid faulty parallelism and improve your writing skills.

By understanding the concept of faulty parallelism and paying attention to the grammatical structure of the sentence, you can avoid faulty parallelism and communicate effectively.