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Parallel structure, often called parallelism, is what keeps related parts of a sentence moving in the same grammatical direction. If you place several ideas in a list, compare two actions, or connect parts of a sentence with words like and or or, those parts should be built in matching forms. The result is writing that feels clean, steady, and easy to follow. Good parallelism helps readers understand not only what your ideas are, but also how those ideas relate to one another.
Contents
- How Parallel Structure Works
- Why Parallel Wording Matters
- Using Parallel Form in Lists
- Parallel Form with Coordinating Conjunctions
- Parallel Form with Paired Conjunctions
- Keeping Comparisons Balanced
- Matching Infinitives and Gerunds
- Making Clauses Match
- Well-Known Uses of Parallelism
- Errors Writers Often Make
- Try These Practice Sentences
How Parallel Structure Works
Parallel structure means giving two or more equal ideas the same grammatical shape. A noun should line up with another noun, a verb with another verb, a phrase with another phrase, and a clause with another clause. Matching the form tells the reader that the ideas carry the same weight.
Not parallel: Marcus enjoys cooking, gardening, and to paint landscapes.
Parallel: Marcus enjoys cooking, gardening, and painting landscapes.
Not parallel: The role demands patience, accuracy, and being organized.
Parallel: The role demands patience, accuracy, and organization.
Why Parallel Wording Matters
Parallelism does several useful jobs in both writing and speech:
- Rhythm: Repeated grammatical patterns give sentences a smooth, natural sound.
- Emphasis: A repeated structure highlights the ideas inside it.
- Balance: Parallel wording creates symmetry, which makes prose feel more controlled.
- Professionalism: Academic papers, business documents, and formal writing all rely on correct parallel form.
- Clarity: Readers can process a sentence faster when each part follows the same pattern.
Using Parallel Form in Lists
Items in a list or series should normally appear in the same grammatical form.
Items as Nouns
❌ The picnic basket held sandwiches, apples, and packing lemonade.
✅ The picnic basket held sandwiches, apples, and lemonade.
Items as Adjectives
❌ The laptop is lightweight, fast, and costs too much.
✅ The laptop is lightweight, fast, and expensive.
Items as Verbs
❌ On weekends, Leo cleans the garage, washes the car, and is mowing the lawn.
✅ On weekends, Leo cleans the garage, washes the car, and mows the lawn.
Items as Phrases
❌ Nina likes watching documentaries, trying new recipes, and to visit museums.
✅ Nina likes watching documentaries, trying new recipes, and visiting museums.
Parallel Form with Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions such as and, but, or, nor, yet, so connect sentence parts. When they join equal elements, the wording on both sides should match.
❌ The speaker was confident and had charm.
✅ The speaker was confident and charming. (adjective + adjective)
❌ You may pay the bill with a card or using cash.
✅ You may pay the bill by card or in cash.
Parallel Form with Paired Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions work as pairs: both...and, either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also, whether...or. The part that follows the first half of the pair should match the part that follows the second half.
❌ The intern is both careful and writes quickly.
✅ The intern is both careful and quick.
❌ Dana neither called nor was sending an email.
✅ Dana neither called nor emailed.
❌ The new system not only tracks orders but also is updating inventory.
✅ The new system not only tracks orders but also updates inventory.
❌ We must decide whether to rent an apartment or buying a house.
✅ We must decide whether to rent an apartment or to buy a house.
Tip: Put the correlative conjunction right before the element it introduces. The form after the first half of the pair should be repeated after the second half.
Keeping Comparisons Balanced
Comparisons using than or as are clearer when the two things being compared have the same grammatical form.
❌ Teaching adults can be more challenging than to teach children.
✅ Teaching adults can be more challenging than teaching children.
❌ It is safer to check the address than guessing.
✅ It is safer to check the address than to guess.
❌ Studying in a quiet room is as helpful as to study in a library.
✅ Studying in a quiet room is as helpful as studying in a library.
Matching Infinitives and Gerunds
When you list actions, stay with one form. Use all infinitives, or use all gerunds; avoid switching back and forth.
❌ Our plan is to save more money, moving closer to work, and to reduce stress.
✅ Our plan is to save more money, to move closer to work, and to reduce stress. (all infinitives)
✅ Our plan is saving more money, moving closer to work, and reducing stress. (all gerunds)
Making Clauses Match
Clauses can be parallel too. If several clauses do the same job in a sentence, give them the same structure.
❌ The manager explained that the deadline was firm, that the budget was limited, and needing quick decisions.
✅ The manager explained that the deadline was firm, that the budget was limited, and that quick decisions were needed.
❌ What you promise and your behavior should agree.
✅ What you promise and what you do should agree.
Well-Known Uses of Parallelism
Many famous lines use parallel structure because the repetition gives them force and makes them easier to remember:
"I came, I saw, I conquered." — Julius Caesar
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people." — Abraham Lincoln
"Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country." — John F. Kennedy
"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." — Neil Armstrong
"To err is human; to forgive, divine." — Alexander Pope
In each line, the repeated pattern gives the sentence a beat. That balance helps the words stay in the listener's mind and makes the contrast or sequence feel stronger.
Errors Writers Often Make
Error 1: Combining Unlike Forms in a Series
❌ The volunteer work includes sorting donations, labeling boxes, and to greet visitors.
✅ The volunteer work includes sorting donations, labeling boxes, and greeting visitors.
Error 2: Breaking the Pattern with Paired Conjunctions
❌ The guide not only describes the trail but also is showing the campsites.
✅ The guide not only describes the trail but also shows the campsites.
Error 3: Switching Verb Forms Mid-Sentence
❌ The instructor asked the class to listen carefully, take notes, and reviewing the handout.
✅ The instructor asked the class to listen carefully, take notes, and review the handout.
Error 4: Comparing Unequal Structures
❌ Ordering groceries online is easier than if you shop in the store.
✅ Ordering groceries online is easier than shopping in the store.
Try These Practice Sentences
Fix the parallelism problem in each sentence.
1. Maya likes drawing, to bake, and skating.
Answer: Maya likes drawing, baking, and skating.
2. The proposal is practical, detailed, and will impress clients.
Answer: The proposal is practical, detailed, and impressive.
3. He not only repairs bikes but also is teaching classes.
Answer: He not only repairs bikes but also teaches classes.
4. Walking uphill is harder than to walk on flat ground.
Answer: Walking uphill is harder than walking on flat ground.
5. The counselor told us to plan ahead, staying calm, and ask questions.
Answer: The counselor told us to plan ahead, stay calm, and ask questions.
6. The applicant is punctual, friendly, and has motivation.
Answer: The applicant is punctual, friendly, and motivated.
7. My summer plans are to work part-time, visiting family, and to take a class.
Answer: My summer plans are to work part-time, visit family, and take a class. OR: My summer plans are working part-time, visiting family, and taking a class.
8. The movie is either too slow or it has too much noise.
Answer: The movie is either too slow or too loud.
Parallel structure is a small editing habit with a large payoff. When related words, phrases, and clauses share the same form, sentences become easier to read and stronger to hear. Check lists, comparisons, and conjunctions carefully as you revise. If the parts do equal work, make them look and sound equal too.
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