3.2 Faulty Parallelism in Series, Correlative Conjunctions, and Comparisons

3.2 Faulty Parallelism in Series, Correlative Conjunctions, and Comparisons

Parallelism—also known as parallel structure or parallel construction—is the grammatical alignment of two or more words, phrases, or clauses that share an equivalent function within a sentence. When elements of equal conceptual importance are presented in matching grammatical form, sentences exhibit rhythm, balance, and clarity. Conversely, when coordinate elements shift forms unpredictably, the resulting faulty parallelism creates jarring syntax, compromises readability, and violates standard conventions.

On the FTCE English Language Skills (826) subtest, Competency 1.2 focuses on identifying and correcting faulty parallelism. Test questions evaluate whether candidates can detect subtle asymmetries across coordinate lists, paired correlative conjunctions, comparative statements, and compound predicates.

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The Core Principle of Parallelism: Structural Equivalence

The fundamental rule of parallel construction is that coordinate ideas require coordinate forms. If an author links two or more grammatical units with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor), all linked elements must belong to the exact same grammatical category.

Coordinate Series:   [Form A]  ,  [Form A]  ,  and  [Form A]
                     (Nouns)      (Nouns)           (Nouns)
                     (Gerunds)    (Gerunds)         (Gerunds)
                     (Clauses)    (Clauses)         (Clauses)

If Form A is followed by Form B and Form C, the sentence suffers from faulty parallelism.

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Parallelism in Coordinate Series and Lists

A series consists of three or more coordinate items. Parallelism must be preserved regardless of whether the series contains individual words, phrases, or full clauses.

1. Matching Parts of Speech

Coordinate items must all be nouns, all adjectives, or all adverbs:

• Faulty: The new school safety protocol is comprehensive, efficient, and provides cost savings. (Adjective, Adjective, and Verb Phrase)
• Parallel: The new school safety protocol is comprehensive, efficient, and economical. (Adjective, Adjective, and Adjective)

2. Matching Verbal Forms: Gerunds vs. Infinitives

A frequent testing pattern contrasts gerunds (-ing forms acting as nouns) with infinitives (to + verb). Writers must not oscillate between the two within the same list:

• Faulty: Effective educators excel at engaging students, differentiating instruction, and to assess progress regularly. (Gerund, Gerund, and Infinitive)
• Parallel: Effective educators excel at engaging students, differentiating instruction, and assessing progress regularly. (Gerund, Gerund, and Gerund)

The Rule of the Infinitive Marker "To"

When using infinitives in a series, the writer must either repeat the particle to before every infinitive or use to only before the first infinitive, letting it govern the entire series:

• Acceptable (Single Marker): The superintendent resolved to visit classrooms, interview staff members, and review assessment portfolios.
• Acceptable (Repeated Marker): The superintendent resolved to visit classrooms, to interview staff members, and to review assessment portfolios.
• Faulty (Inconsistent Marker): The superintendent resolved to visit classrooms, interview staff members, and to review assessment portfolios.

3. Phrasal and Clausal Consistency

When parallel units consist of prepositional phrases or dependent clauses, the structural frame must remain constant:

• Faulty: The mentor teacher demonstrated how to organize small-group rotations in the morning, during the afternoon, and when the school day ended. (Prepositional Phrase, Prepositional Phrase, and Adverbial Dependent Clause)
• Parallel: The mentor teacher demonstrated how to organize small-group rotations in the morning, during the afternoon, and at the end of the school day. (Three Prepositional Phrases)

When coordinating dependent clauses, repeating the subordinating conjunction (such as that, because, or whether) clarifies the parallel architecture:

• Faulty: The principal emphasized that school attendance had improved and state performance metrics were rising.
• Parallel: The principal emphasized that school attendance had improved and that state performance metrics were rising.

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Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are paired conjunctions that connect grammatically equal elements. The five primary correlative pairs tested on the FTCE are:

1. either . . . or
2. neither . . . nor
3. not only . . . but also
4. both . . . and
5. whether . . . or

The Symmetrical Placement Rule

The rule governing correlative conjunctions is absolute: whatever grammatical construction immediately follows the first conjunction must also immediately follow the second conjunction.

Correlative Symmetry:  [Conjunction 1] + [Structure X]  ...  [Conjunction 2] + [Structure X]
                       not only        + Verb Phrase   ...   but also        + Verb Phrase
                       either          + Noun Phrase   ...   or              + Noun Phrase

The "Split Verb" and "Misplaced Conjunction" Traps

A common flaw occurs when a writer positions the first correlative conjunction before a verb, but places the second conjunction after a verb:

Faulty: The instructional specialist not only wanted to improve standardized math scores but also literacy development.

Analysis: Examine what directly follows each conjunction:

• After not only: wanted to improve standardized math scores (Finite Verb + Infinitive + Noun Phrase)
• After but also: literacy development (Noun Phrase)

The elements are completely asymmetrical. To repair this, reposition the conjunctions so that they directly bracket equivalent noun phrases or equivalent verb phrases:

Parallel (Focus on Noun Phrases): The instructional specialist wanted to improve not only standardized math scores but also literacy development.

Parallel (Focus on Verb Phrases): The instructional specialist not only wanted to improve math scores but also sought to enhance literacy development.

Notice how the first revision places not only immediately before the direct object standardized math scores, perfectly balancing literacy development after but also.

Consider another classic correlative error involving either . . . or:

Faulty: Candidates must either submit their verification portfolios by Friday or they must schedule an extension conference.

Analysis: Either is followed by the bare verb submit, while or is followed by a full independent clause they must schedule.

Parallel: Candidates must either submit their verification portfolios by Friday or schedule an extension conference.

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Parallelism in Comparisons: Comparing Like Entities

Comparative statements linked by than or as must compare grammatically and logically equivalent entities. Violations of comparative parallelism result in what grammarians call illogical comparisons or faulty comparisons.

Illogical Comparisons Between Unlike Nouns

In informal speech, speakers often make shorthand comparisons that compare an attribute of one entity directly to an entire second entity:

Faulty: The average graduation rate in Seminole County is higher than Orange County.

Analysis: This sentence literally compares a numerical statistic (graduation rate) to a geographical entity (Orange County). A rate cannot be higher than a county; a rate can only be higher than another rate.

To balance comparative constructions, standard English uses the demonstrative pronouns that of (for singular referents) and those of (for plural referents):

Parallel (Singular): The average graduation rate in Seminole County is higher than that of Orange County.

Parallel (Plural): The diagnostic test scores of incoming sixth graders were superior to those of the previous cohort.

Comparing Actions (Verbal Parallelism in Comparisons)

When comparing activities, the grammatical forms of the activities must match on both sides of than or as:

• Faulty: Most teachers prefer designing creative classroom projects to when they have to grade standardized worksheets. (Gerund Phrase vs. Adverbial Clause)

• Parallel: Most teachers prefer designing creative classroom projects to grading standardized worksheets. (Gerund Phrase vs. Gerund Phrase)

• Faulty: It is often easier to demonstrate an active scientific phenomenon than explaining theoretical equations. (Infinitive vs. Gerund)

• Parallel: It is often easier to demonstrate an active scientific phenomenon than to explain theoretical equations. (Infinitive vs. Infinitive)

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Faulty Ellipsis and Omitted Prepositions

An ellipsis in grammar is the intentional omission of words that are understood from contextual syntax. However, an omission becomes faulty ellipsis when an omitted word is grammatically required by one of the coordinate branches.

When two parallel verbs or adjectives require different prepositions, both prepositions must be explicitly stated:

Faulty: The guidance team expressed interest and dedication to the student mentorship initiative.

Analysis: The adjective dedication idiomatically pairs with the preposition to (dedication to). However, the noun interest idiomatically requires in (interest in). By omitting the first preposition, the sentence ungrammatically asserts interest . . . to the student mentorship initiative.

Parallel: The guidance team expressed interest in and dedication to the student mentorship initiative.

Similarly, when comparing verbs in different tenses, auxiliary verbs cannot be omitted if their grammatical forms differ:

Faulty: The school district always has and always will prioritize student safety.

Analysis: The auxiliary has requires the past participle prioritized, whereas will requires the base verb prioritize. Saying always has . . . prioritize is ungrammatical.

Parallel: The school district always has prioritized and always will prioritize student safety.

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Master Parallelism Diagnostics Table

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The Structural Isolation Method for Exam Questions

When confronting a parallelism question on the FTCE, apply the structural isolation method:

1. Locate the Coordinating Pivot: Identify conjunctions (and, or, but), correlative pairs (either/or, not only/but also), or comparative words (than, as).
2. Isolate the Coordinate Units: Draw mental brackets around the units being linked.
3. Label the Part of Speech or Phrase Type: Determine the grammatical label of the first element (e.g., Gerund phrase, Prepositional phrase, Finite verb clause).
4. Check for Equivalence: Verify whether every subsequent coordinate element matches the first element's label.
5. Check Correlative Anchors: If correlatives appear, ensure the grammatical structure immediately following Conjunction 1 matches what immediately follows Conjunction 2.
6. Verify Comparative Parity: In comparisons, check whether the items being compared are logically equivalent entities, and look for that of or those of when comparing attributes.