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Parallel Structure
Parallel Structure
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Parallel structure means using the same grammatical form for ideas that have the same importance in a sentence. It matters because balanced wording makes writing clearer, smoother, and easier to remember. Readers can follow a pattern quickly when verbs match verbs, nouns match nouns, and phrases match phrases. Strong parallel structure is common in essays, speeches, directions, and persuasive writing.
The basic idea is that equal ideas should use equal grammatical forms. In a list, comparison, or paired construction, each part should follow the same pattern. For example, a sentence sounds balanced when it says, "She likes hiking, swimming, and biking," because all three items are gerunds. When the forms do not match, the sentence can feel awkward or confusing even if the meaning is still possible.
Key Facts
- Parallel structure rule: equal ideas = equal grammatical forms.
- List pattern: noun, noun, and noun.
- Verb pattern: run, jump, and swim.
- Gerund pattern: reading, writing, and revising.
- Infinitive pattern: to plan, to draft, and to edit.
- Correlative conjunction pattern: not only A but also B, where A and B should have matching grammar.
Vocabulary
- Parallel structure
- Parallel structure is the use of matching grammatical forms for related words, phrases, or clauses.
- Grammatical form
- A grammatical form is the type or pattern of a word or phrase, such as a noun, verb, gerund, infinitive, phrase, or clause.
- Gerund
- A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that acts as a noun, such as running or studying.
- Infinitive
- An infinitive is the base form of a verb usually introduced by to, such as to read or to learn.
- Correlative conjunction
- A correlative conjunction is a paired connector, such as either...or or not only...but also, that links equal sentence parts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing verb forms in a list, such as "to read, writing, and edit," is wrong because the items do not follow the same grammatical pattern.
- Changing from a noun to a phrase in a series, such as "honesty, patience, and being brave," is wrong because one item does not match the structure of the others.
- Making only one side of a comparison parallel is wrong because words like than and as connect ideas that should be balanced in form.
- Forgetting parallel structure with paired words like either...or and not only...but also is wrong because each side of the pair should connect matching sentence parts.
Practice Questions
- 1 Rewrite this sentence so all 3 items are parallel: The coach values discipline, practicing hard, and to stay positive.
- 2 Identify the nonparallel item in this 4-item list and rewrite the sentence: Maya enjoys painting, sketching, to sculpt, and designing posters.
- 3 Explain why this sentence sounds balanced: A good leader listens carefully, speaks clearly, and acts fairly.