Zeugma is sometimes used simply as a synonym for syllepsis, though that term is better understood as a more specific kind of zeugma: when there is disparity in the way that the parallel members relate to the governing word (as a vice or for comic effect).

Zeugma comprises several more specialized terms, all of which employ ellipsis and parallelism (among the governed members of the sentence). The zeugma figures are of two types: those in which the governing word is the main verb (in which case these are subsequently categorized according to the position of that governing verb), and those in which the governing word is another part of speech (usually the subject noun).

Zeugma figures: Position of Governing Verb:

• prozeugma (beginning position)
• hypozeugma (ending position)
• epizeugma (beginning or ending position)
• mesozeugma or synzeugma (middle position)

Zeugma figures: Governing Noun:

• diazeugma
  A single subject governs several verbs or verbal constructions
• hypozeuxis
  Every clause (in a series of parallel clauses) has its own (different) verb

• ellipsis
• parallelism
• syllepsis

• Figures of Division
• Figures of Parallelism