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Writing Clinic: The Symmetry of Syntax: A Balancing Act |
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February 25, 2009
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In a world where imagination is the only contender and where the laws of physics are hotly contested -- in the world of Cirque du Soleil -- the act of balancing rivals even the act of breathing, both are essential for survival and success.
The world of writing involves balancing acts, as well.
One such balancing act results in parallel construction.
If something is parallel in meaning or emphasis, to show either equality or contrast, it should be parallel in form. As such, it lends clarity, consistency and cadence in writing.
A classic example of this is Julius Caesar's "I came; I saw; I conquered."
The equality of each act is demonstrated in the equal treatment of each repetition of subject and verb. And the semicolons are used to link the acts together. Coming and seeing are equally as important, in Caesar's mind, as conquering.
There is also a cadence, an almost lyrical quality when this kind of balancing act is achieved. When you read it out loud, you can hear it: "I came; I saw; I conquered.
Clarity, consistency, cadence.
Another memorable example, from Abraham Lincoln, is contained within the following: " ... and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."
Read it out loud and note the cadence in "of the people, by the people, for the people" because of the repetition of words and the symmetry of prepositions, articles and subjects.
That’s the symmetry of syntax.
Here is another example, a longer one, from Alice Walker: "We look for signs in every strange event; we search for heroes in every unknown face."
Again, the repetition – subject/verb/article/noun/preposition/adjective/adjective/noun – results in parallel construction.
Try using parallel construction in the following sentence.
I like to ski and I like snowboarding.
Parallel construction provides clarity. Verb tenses need to be parallel, as well: I like skiing and snowboarding.
When using correlatives -- both, and; not, only; but, also; either, or; neither, nor -- with parallel construction, be sure that the verb following each correlative is parallel; otherwise, the reader will feel like an unsuspecting driver hitting a pothole.
That is not only irritating, but also confused. (Can you make this parallel?)
Parallelism is also achieved by repeating correlative phrases such as “the more I”: The more I expect, the more I achieve.
How would you correct the following awkward construction?
It doesn’t matter what kind of home you live in or car you drive.
When you make the prepositions parallel, it becomes instantly clear: It doesn’t matter what kind of home you live in or what kind of car you drive.
Always read your writing out loud to decide where parallel construction is needed.
Next time: Take the Lead
Jo-Anne Holmes is a freelance copy editor in Whitehorse and the assistant editor of What's Up Yukon. Contact her at
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