Parallelism is a rhetorical device and a grammatical construction where two or more parts of a sentence (clauses, phrases, or words) are similarly structured. This creates a pattern, often improving the rhythm, flow, and memorability of the text. It emphasizes connections between ideas and can build emphasis or create balance. Effective parallelism requires a consistent grammatical form in corresponding parts of the sentence, enhancing clarity and impact. Careful placement is crucial for optimal effect.
Parallelism meaning with examples
- The candidate promised to *reduce taxes, improve education, and strengthen national security*. This balanced structure highlighted her key policy goals. Using similar grammatical constructions reinforced the interconnectedness of each promise, creating a memorable and impactful statement. Without parallelism, the sentence might have lost some power.
- During the storm, the wind was *howling, the rain was lashing*, and the thunder was *crashing*. Each clause describes the storm's intensity through active verbs with a similar structure. This added rhythm to the descriptions, heightening the reader’s experience and demonstrating the consistent force of nature.
- *Easy come, easy go* is a common idiom that utilizes parallelism in two clauses of similar structures. The repetition of the sound also makes this phrase more memorable. Its brevity and balance provide a pithy statement that suggests a philosophical idea about transience.
- The poet wrote, *'She came, she saw, she conquered,'* using the same structure for each action: a verb with the subject understood, a verb and its object. This concise parallel structure emphasizes the rapid and decisive nature of the subject’s accomplishments, making the impact greater.
Parallelism Synonyms
balance correspondence equivalence repetition symmetryParallelism Antonyms
asymmetry discordance disparity imbalance nonconformityParallelism Crossword Answers
14 Letters
CORRESPONDENCE