Parallelism

Question 1

Trigger #1 to check for parallelism: FANBOYS

Answer 1

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

A structure built around one of the FANBOYS must be parallel.

‘And’ is the most commonly used

Step 1: Notice the FANBOYS
Step 2: Determine what elements the FANBOYS connects

Example: Computers must be (fast) and (to be reliable)

Step 3: Locate the word(s) that introduce the elements connected by the FANBOYS conjunction.

Example: Computers must be fast and to be reliable

Step 4: Determine whether each of the elements connected by the FANBOYS conjunction works logically with what introduces those elements is to create two separate test sentences using the introductory word(s) and the elements themselves.

Example: computers must be fast – makes sense
Example: computers must to be reliable - does not make sense

Question 2

Items in a list must be parallel

Answer 2

items in a list must be parallel

The exercise of using parentheses and then distributing (carrying over) is important because it’s an easy, effective way to determine whether items in a list make logical sense.

Example: Members post their comments, complaints, and suggestions on the appropriate message boards.

• Members post their comments on the appropriate message boards
• Members post their complaints on the appropriate message boards
• Members post their suggestions on the appropriate message boards