19. Express coordinate ideas in similar form
Parallel construction
Requires that expressions similar in content and function be outwardly similar. The likeness of form enables the reader to recognize more readily the likeness of content and function.
Example of Parallel construction
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Correlative expressions Should be followed by the same grammatical construction.
Both, and; not, but; not only, but also; either, or; first, second, third; and the like.
Incorrect: formerly, science was taught by the textbook method, while now the laboratory method is employed.
Correct: Formerly, science was taught by the textbook method; now it is taught by the laboratory method.
Incorrect: His speech was marked by disagreement and scorn for his opponent's position.
Correct: His speech was marked by disagreement with and scorn for his opponent's position.
Incorrect: The French, the Italians, Spanish, and Portuguese
Correct: The French, the Italians, the Spanish, and the Portuguese
Incorrect: a time not for words but action.
Correct: a time not for words but for action
Incorrect: in spring, summer, or in winter
Correct: in spring, summer, or winter (in spring spring, in summer, or in winter).
Incorrect: my objections are, first, the injustice of the measure; second, that it is unconstitutional
Correct: my objections are, first, that the measure is unjust; second, that it is unconstitutional.
Incorrect: it was both a long ceremony and very tedious.
Correct: the ceremony was both long and tedious
Incorrect: either you must grant his request or incur his will
Correct: you must either grant his request or incur his will.
What if you need to express a rather large number of similar ideas?
These ideas can be classified in groups, and that you need applied to principle only within each group.Otherwise, it is best to avoid the difficulty by putting statements in the form of a table.
Some words require a particular preposition in certain idiomatic uses. When such words are joined in a compound construction, all the appropriate prepositions must be included, unless...
They are the same
An article or a preposition applying to all the members of a series must either be used...
only before the first term or else be repeated before each term
