a parallel example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a parallel example" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to draw a comparison or highlight similarities between two situations or concepts. Example: "To illustrate my point, I will provide a parallel example from history that demonstrates the same principle."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

(A parallel example is Kerry James Marshall's "A Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of His Former Self" (1980), in which the artist appears as a grinning, minstrelesque mask).

The New Yorker

Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic cast his startled regard back along the length of Jewish history looking for a parallel example of arrant stupidity and found, instead, what Jews around the world have long been accustomed to find in contemplating ourselves and that history: an inborn, half-legendary agility of intellect, amounting almost to a magical power.

The New York Times

Take social media as a parallel example.

TechCrunch

A parallel example is provided by the antibiotic effects of volatiles produced by Muscodor albus.

AMB Express

As Church remarks, a parallel example involving false sentences can be constructed in the same way (by considering, e.g., 'Sir Walter Scott is not the author of Waverley').

SEP

3. See Bell (1966: 4) and Jammer (1974: 274, 304); see also Kochen and Specker (1967: 82/322, theorem 3) for a parallel example and criticism of von Neumann.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The F-actin cones in an IC are found in a parallel register (example: Figure 6E, a) while the disrupted ones had them scattered to different extents (example: Figure 6E, b and 6E, c).

BMC Biology

(Another book, published last year, "The Great Wall: China Against the World, 1000 B.C.-A.D. 2000," by Julia Lovell, a fellow at Cambridge, is primarily concerned with exploring the wall as a symbol for the Chinese world view. She draws a parallel, for example, between the ancient wall and the current government's Internet firewalls).

The New Yorker

"I know of no parallel example that I've come across in all my 60 years of municipal bond experience.

Huffington Post

One parallel example of unexpected complexity is in variation in thermal tolerance in C. elegans (Gaertner et al. 2012).

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Similarly, in the parallel example of genetic association studies, several recent analyses have highlighted the need for more stringent controls for the very strong genetic confounders [ 3, 4].

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a parallel example", ensure the connection between the two scenarios is clear and relevant to your argument. Providing context for both examples strengthens your point.

Common error

Avoid forcing a parallel where the similarities are superficial. Ensure the underlying principles or mechanisms are genuinely comparable to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a parallel example" functions as an introductory phrase. It serves to introduce an instance that shares similarities with the subject under discussion, thereby offering a comparative basis for better understanding or analysis, consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a parallel example" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for introducing a comparison to clarify a point, as Ludwig AI confirms. It's most frequently found in scientific and news contexts, indicating its utility in explaining complex concepts. When employing this phrase, ensure the connection between the examples is clear and relevant. Consider using alternatives like "a comparable example" or "a similar instance" for subtle differences in meaning. Be mindful of overstating the parallel to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a parallel situation

Omits "example" to focus solely on the similarity of the situations.

a comparable example

Replaces 'parallel' with 'comparable', emphasizing similarity in a general sense.

an analogous example

Substitutes 'parallel' with 'analogous', highlighting a similarity based on relationship or function.

a similar instance

Uses 'similar instance' to focus on the occurrence of a resembling situation or case.

a corresponding case

Emphasizes a direct correspondence or matching aspect between the two examples.

a related illustration

Highlights the illustrative nature of the example, showing its connection to the main point.

a comparative scenario

Focuses on the scenario being presented for comparison.

a mirroring situation

Suggests the second example closely reflects the first, acting as a mirror.

an equivalent situation

Indicates that the example is equal in effect or meaning to the original.

a matching phenomenon

Highlights the phenomenon as exhibiting a similar occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "a parallel example" in a sentence?

You can use "a parallel example" to introduce a similar situation or case that helps illustrate or support your argument. For example, "To understand this economic trend, consider "a parallel example" from the tech industry".

What can I say instead of "a parallel example"?

Alternatives include "a comparable example", "an analogous case", or "a similar instance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a parallel example" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "a parallel example" when you want to clarify a complex topic or argument by drawing a comparison to a more familiar or easily understood situation. Ensure the connection between the examples is clear and relevant.

How does "a parallel example" differ from "a similar example"?

"A parallel example" implies a closer, more structural similarity between the two cases, while "a similar example" suggests a more general resemblance. The choice depends on the specific nature of the comparison you're making.