Parallelism Flashcards
Parallelism around FANBOYS
Look for a FANBOY conjunction. Determine what elements the conjunction connects. Check for logic.
Computers must be fast and to be reliable - INCORRECT.
Computers must be fast and reliable - CORRECT.
Parallelism in Lists
Check for logic by using the “distribution property” of the introduction of the list.
Ex: Please leave a message including your name, your number, and explain why you called. INCORRECT. “Please leave a message including… explain why you called”.
Repeating elements such as “to”, “from”, and “that”
Repeating elements such as “to”, “from”, and “that” have to either be repeated for each list or not. Don’t repeat only on certain items but not others.
Ex:
The members of the committee decided to reduce marketing expenditures, increase headcount significantly, and to change the schedule. INCORRECT. “and to” is incorrect because “decided to introduce” is enough to transfer the “to” over to the elements in the list. If you’re going to repeat “to”, it must be done on every item on the list.
A repeating element that is NOT essential to what introduces a list does not have to carry over or appear on every item on the list.
Ex:
The groom was congratulated by his friends, his parents, and guests he was meeting for the first time. CORRECT.
“That” must be repeated to make a list clear
Ex:
Caterina claims that workers in other countries handle tasks that were once handled by local workers, and robots do too. Incorrect. This meaning conveys that robots also make that claim, which is illogical.
Caterina claims that workers in other countries handle tasks that were once handled by local workers and that robots do too. Correct. This meaning conveys that workers in other country and robots handle tasks that were once handled by local workers.
Nested Lists
A nested list will always be a secondary list within a larger list, which we refer to as the outer list.
EX:
Please leave your name and your number and explain why you called. CORRECT. Please leave X (name and number) and explain Y (why you called).
Correlative Conjunctions Must be Parallel
Not only... but also not only... but... as well not.. but both... and either... or neither... nor rather... than
Whatever precedes the first part of a “[structure] not only… but also [structure]” correlative structure is understood to carry over to the second part.
Eduard Haken, a Czech operatic bass, was not only able to handle a wide array of parts from the dexterous bel canto repertoire but also shined in parts from the basso buffo repertoire. INCORRECT. “Eduard Haken was able to handle” … “Eduard Haken was shined in parts…”
Eduard Haken, a Czech operatic bass, not only was able to handle a wide array of parts from the dexterous bel canto repertoire but also shined in parts from the basso buffo repertoire. - CORRECT. “Eduard Haken was able to handle” … “Eduard Haken also shined”.
Other parallel structures
X rather than Y mistake X for Y prefer X to Y range from X to Y more X than Y
Verbs in different tenses can be parallel
The ecologist said that genetically modified fish had found their way into the lake, had grown quickly, and were eating other fish. CORRECT.
Storms such as these affect critical infrastructure, topple trees, and will continue to pose serious problems for commuters if the city does not devise a comprehensive preparation plan.
Active and Passive Voice can be Parallel
Having hit her GMAT target, Aisha applied to her first-choice business school, was invited for an interview, and was accepted. CORRECT.
Having hit her GMAT target, Aisha applied to her first-choice business school, was invited for an interview, and Aisha was accepted. INCORRECT. “Aisha Aisha was accepted”.
