Mastering Parallel Structure: A Comprehensive Guide

Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that significantly impacts clarity, fluency, and overall writing effectiveness. Understanding and applying parallel structure allows you to create balanced and harmonious sentences, making your writing more persuasive and easier to comprehend.

This guide provides a comprehensive exploration of parallel structure, covering its definition, structural elements, various types, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced applications. Whether you’re a student, a professional writer, or simply someone looking to improve their English skills, mastering parallel structure will undoubtedly enhance your ability to communicate effectively.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of Parallel Structure
• Structural Breakdown
• Types of Parallelism
  • Parallel Words
  • Parallel Phrases
  • Parallel Clauses
  • Parallel Lists
• Examples of Parallel Structure
  • Parallel Words Examples
  • Parallel Phrases Examples
  • Parallel Clauses Examples
  • Parallel Lists Examples
• Usage Rules for Parallel Structure
  • Coordinating Conjunctions
  • Correlative Conjunctions
  • Lists and Series
  • Verbs in Parallel Structure
• Common Mistakes in Parallel Structure
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics in Parallel Structure
  • Parallelism with Gerunds and Infinitives
  • Parallelism in Comparisons
  • Parallelism in Outlines and Headings
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Definition of Parallel Structure

Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, is the repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence. By making each compared item or idea in your sentence follow the same grammatical pattern, you create a sense of balance and clarity. This grammatical technique enhances readability and makes your writing more persuasive and aesthetically pleasing. Parallelism can involve words, phrases, or clauses. It is a key element of effective writing and speaking.

Parallel structure functions to create a sense of rhythm and balance in writing. This balance makes the sentence easier to understand and more memorable.

It also emphasizes the relationship between the parallel elements, highlighting their similarities or contrasts. In essence, parallel structure is a powerful tool for organizing thoughts and conveying information in a clear and impactful way.

It is essential in all forms of writing, from formal essays to casual emails.

The context in which parallel structure is used varies widely. You’ll find it in lists, comparisons, contrasting ideas, and even in single sentences that present multiple related actions or descriptions.

Mastering parallel structure is not just about following a grammatical rule; it’s about developing a sensitivity to the rhythm and flow of language. This skill will make you a more effective communicator in any setting.

Structural Breakdown

The structural elements of parallel structure involve ensuring that all items in a series or list have the same grammatical form. This means that if one item is a noun, all other items should also be nouns.

If one item is a verb phrase, all other items should be verb phrases. This consistency creates a balanced and harmonious sentence.

The most common patterns involve coordinating conjunctions such as and, but, and or, and correlative conjunctions such as both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also. These conjunctions connect parallel elements, making the relationship between them clear. For example, in the sentence “She likes to read books and to write stories,” the phrases “to read books” and “to write stories” are parallel because they both follow the “to + verb + noun” structure.

Understanding the structural elements also involves recognizing when parallelism is broken. A broken parallel structure occurs when items in a series or list do not have the same grammatical form.

This can lead to confusion and disrupt the flow of the sentence. To correct a broken parallel structure, you need to revise the sentence so that all items have the same grammatical form.

For instance, instead of saying “He enjoys swimming, biking, and to run,” you should say “He enjoys swimming, biking, and running.”

Types of Parallelism

Parallelism can be categorized based on the grammatical units that are being made parallel. The main types include parallel words, parallel phrases, parallel clauses, and parallel lists.

Parallel Words

Parallel words involve using words of the same grammatical type in a series. This is the simplest form of parallelism, but it is still crucial for creating clear and balanced sentences.

For example, “She is intelligent, beautiful, and kind” uses three adjectives in a parallel structure to describe her.

Parallel Phrases

Parallel phrases involve using phrases of the same grammatical type in a series. This could include noun phrases, verb phrases, prepositional phrases, or any other type of phrase.

For example, “He enjoys playing the guitar, singing in the choir, and writing songs” uses three gerund phrases in a parallel structure to describe his hobbies.

Parallel Clauses

Parallel clauses involve using clauses of the same grammatical type in a series. This could include independent clauses, dependent clauses, or relative clauses.

For example, “She said that she was tired, that she was hungry, and that she wanted to go home” uses three noun clauses in a parallel structure to report what she said.

Parallel Lists

Parallel lists involve using a series of items that all have the same grammatical form. This is commonly used in bullet points or numbered lists, where each item should be grammatically consistent with the others.

For example, a list of instructions might include items like “Gather the materials,” “Prepare the workspace,” and “Begin the project,” all of which are imperative verb phrases.

Examples of Parallel Structure

To further illustrate the concept of parallel structure, let’s look at some examples organized by category.

Parallel Words Examples

The following table provides examples of sentences using parallel words. Notice how the repetition of the word type creates a balanced and harmonious effect.

Sentence	Parallel Words	Type of Word
She is intelligent, beautiful, and kind.	intelligent, beautiful, kind	Adjectives
He runs quickly, smoothly, and effortlessly.	quickly, smoothly, effortlessly	Adverbs
The dog barked loudly, fiercely, and persistently.	loudly, fiercely, persistently	Adverbs
She enjoys reading, writing, and painting.	reading, writing, painting	Gerunds (Nouns)
He is a man of courage, honor, and integrity.	courage, honor, integrity	Nouns
The project was challenging, rewarding, and fulfilling.	challenging, rewarding, fulfilling	Adjectives
She spoke clearly, concisely, and confidently.	clearly, concisely, confidently	Adverbs
He is known for his honesty, reliability, and diligence.	honesty, reliability, diligence	Nouns
The food was delicious, nutritious, and satisfying.	delicious, nutritious, satisfying	Adjectives
She values friendship, loyalty, and trust.	friendship, loyalty, trust	Nouns
He is ambitious, driven, and determined.	ambitious, driven, determined	Adjectives
The music was loud, energetic, and captivating.	loud, energetic, captivating	Adjectives
She sings beautifully, passionately, and expressively.	beautifully, passionately, expressively	Adverbs
He is admired for his wisdom, compassion, and humility.	wisdom, compassion, humility	Nouns
The movie was exciting, suspenseful, and thought-provoking.	exciting, suspenseful, thought-provoking	Adjectives
She dances gracefully, fluidly, and elegantly.	gracefully, fluidly, elegantly	Adverbs
He appreciates simplicity, clarity, and authenticity.	simplicity, clarity, authenticity	Nouns
The performance was captivating, mesmerizing, and unforgettable.	captivating, mesmerizing, unforgettable	Adjectives
She writes eloquently, persuasively, and engagingly.	eloquently, persuasively, engagingly	Adverbs
He is known for his kindness, generosity, and empathy.	kindness, generosity, empathy	Nouns
She is creative, innovative, and resourceful.	creative, innovative, resourceful	Adjectives
He plays the piano skillfully, artfully, and passionately.	skillfully, artfully, passionately	Adverbs
The book was informative, insightful, and inspiring.	informative, insightful, inspiring	Adjectives
She speaks French fluently, accurately, and idiomatically.	fluently, accurately, idiomatically	Adverbs

Parallel Phrases Examples

The following table provides examples of sentences using parallel phrases. The phrases maintain the same grammatical structure, creating a sense of balance.

Sentence	Parallel Phrases	Type of Phrase
He enjoys playing the guitar, singing in the choir, and writing songs.	playing the guitar, singing in the choir, writing songs	Gerund Phrases
She is good at cooking, cleaning, and managing the household.	cooking, cleaning, managing the household	Gerund Phrases
The report included data from the US, from Canada, and from Mexico.	from the US, from Canada, from Mexico	Prepositional Phrases
He wants to travel to Europe, to explore Asia, and to discover Africa.	to travel to Europe, to explore Asia, to discover Africa	Infinitive Phrases
She is interested in history, in literature, and in art.	in history, in literature, in art	Prepositional Phrases
He is known for his dedication to his work, to his family, and to his community.	to his work, to his family, to his community	Prepositional Phrases
She enjoys walking in the park, reading by the river, and listening to music.	walking in the park, reading by the river, listening to music	Gerund Phrases
He is responsible for managing the budget, overseeing the project, and coordinating the team.	managing the budget, overseeing the project, coordinating the team	Gerund Phrases
She is skilled in marketing, in sales, and in customer service.	in marketing, in sales, in customer service	Prepositional Phrases
He is determined to succeed, to excel, and to achieve his goals.	to succeed, to excel, to achieve his goals	Infinitive Phrases
She is passionate about environmental conservation, about animal welfare, and about social justice.	about environmental conservation, about animal welfare, about social justice	Prepositional Phrases
He spends his time volunteering at the shelter, mentoring underprivileged youth, and advocating for human rights.	volunteering at the shelter, mentoring underprivileged youth, advocating for human rights	Gerund Phrases
She dreams of traveling the world, of experiencing different cultures, and of making a difference in people’s lives.	of traveling the world, of experiencing different cultures, of making a difference in people’s lives	Prepositional Phrases
He is committed to lifelong learning, to personal growth, and to professional development.	to lifelong learning, to personal growth, to professional development	Prepositional Phrases
She finds joy in spending time with her family, in exploring new places, and in pursuing her hobbies.	spending time with her family, exploring new places, pursuing her hobbies	Gerund Phrases
He is dedicated to providing quality education, to fostering critical thinking, and to promoting lifelong learning.	providing quality education, fostering critical thinking, promoting lifelong learning	Gerund Phrases
She is involved in community outreach, in environmental advocacy, and in political activism.	in community outreach, in environmental advocacy, in political activism	Prepositional Phrases
He is focused on improving his health, on building strong relationships, and on achieving financial stability.	improving his health, building strong relationships, achieving financial stability	Gerund Phrases
She is passionate about empowering women, about promoting gender equality, and about advocating for human rights.	about empowering women, about promoting gender equality, about advocating for human rights	Prepositional Phrases
He is dedicated to serving his country, to protecting its values, and to upholding its constitution.	serving his country, protecting its values, upholding its constitution	Gerund Phrases
She is involved in scientific research, in technological innovation, and in entrepreneurial ventures.	in scientific research, in technological innovation, in entrepreneurial ventures	Prepositional Phrases
He is committed to fostering creativity, to encouraging innovation, and to inspiring excellence.	fostering creativity, encouraging innovation, inspiring excellence	Gerund Phrases
She finds fulfillment in helping others, in making a positive impact, and in contributing to society.	helping others, making a positive impact, contributing to society	Gerund Phrases
He is focused on expanding his knowledge, on developing his skills, and on advancing his career.	expanding his knowledge, developing his skills, advancing his career	Gerund Phrases

Parallel Clauses Examples

The following table provides examples of sentences using parallel clauses. Each clause has a similar structure, creating a balanced sentence.

Sentence	Parallel Clauses	Type of Clause
She said that she was tired, that she was hungry, and that she wanted to go home.	that she was tired, that she was hungry, that she wanted to go home	Noun Clauses
He believes that honesty is the best policy, that hard work pays off, and that perseverance leads to success.	that honesty is the best policy, that hard work pays off, that perseverance leads to success	Noun Clauses
The teacher explained that the Earth revolves around the Sun, that the Moon revolves around the Earth, and that the stars are distant suns.	that the Earth revolves around the Sun, that the Moon revolves around the Earth, that the stars are distant suns	Noun Clauses
Whether you like it or not, whether you agree with me or not, and whether you understand it or not, I am going to do it.	Whether you like it or not, whether you agree with me or not, and whether you understand it or not	Adverbial Clauses
I don’t know if he is coming, if he is staying, or if he has already left.	if he is coming, if he is staying, or if he has already left	Noun Clauses
The company decided that it would invest in new technology, that it would expand its operations, and that it would hire more employees.	that it would invest in new technology, that it would expand its operations, and that it would hire more employees	Noun Clauses
She emphasized that communication is key, that teamwork is essential, and that leadership is crucial.	that communication is key, that teamwork is essential, and that leadership is crucial	Noun Clauses
He argued that the policy was unfair, that it was discriminatory, and that it should be changed.	that the policy was unfair, that it was discriminatory, and that it should be changed	Noun Clauses
The report concluded that the economy was growing, that unemployment was falling, and that inflation was stable.	that the economy was growing, that unemployment was falling, and that inflation was stable	Noun Clauses
She suggested that we go to the beach, that we have a picnic, and that we watch the sunset.	that we go to the beach, that we have a picnic, and that we watch the sunset	Noun Clauses
He observed that the birds were singing, that the flowers were blooming, and that the sun was shining.	that the birds were singing, that the flowers were blooming, and that the sun was shining	Noun Clauses
The doctor explained that the patient needed rest, that they needed medication, and that they needed physical therapy.	that the patient needed rest, that they needed medication, and that they needed physical therapy	Noun Clauses
The lawyer argued that the evidence was insufficient, that the witness was unreliable, and that the prosecution had failed to prove its case.	that the evidence was insufficient, that the witness was unreliable, and that the prosecution had failed to prove its case	Noun Clauses
She acknowledged that she had made mistakes, that she had learned from them, and that she was committed to doing better in the future.	that she had made mistakes, that she had learned from them, and that she was committed to doing better in the future	Noun Clauses
He warned that the storm was approaching, that the winds were increasing, and that the waves were getting higher.	that the storm was approaching, that the winds were increasing, and that the waves were getting higher	Noun Clauses
The scientist discovered that the new species was unique, that it had adapted to its environment, and that it played a crucial role in the ecosystem.	that the new species was unique, that it had adapted to its environment, and that it played a crucial role in the ecosystem	Noun Clauses
The historian revealed that the ancient civilization was advanced, that it had developed sophisticated technologies, and that it had left a lasting legacy.	that the ancient civilization was advanced, that it had developed sophisticated technologies, and that it had left a lasting legacy	Noun Clauses
The artist explained that the painting was symbolic, that it represented the human condition, and that it was intended to provoke thought.	that the painting was symbolic, that it represented the human condition, and that it was intended to provoke thought	Noun Clauses
The philosopher argued that life has meaning, that happiness is attainable, and that purpose can be found through service to others.	that life has meaning, that happiness is attainable, and that purpose can be found through service to others	Noun Clauses
She emphasized that education is essential, that knowledge is power, and that learning is a lifelong journey.	that education is essential, that knowledge is power, and that learning is a lifelong journey	Noun Clauses

Parallel Lists Examples

The following table provides examples of parallel lists. Note how each item in the list follows the same grammatical structure.

List	Parallel Structure
Read the instructions carefully. Gather all necessary materials. Begin the experiment.	Each item is an imperative sentence starting with a verb.
First, open the file. Second, edit the text. Third, save the changes.	Each item is an imperative sentence starting with an adverb.
To learn a new language To travel the world To meet new people	Each item is an infinitive phrase.
Swimming in the ocean Hiking in the mountains Biking through the forest	Each item is a gerund phrase.
Honesty Integrity Respect	Each item is a noun.
With enthusiasm With dedication With perseverance	Each item is a prepositional phrase.
That she was happy That she was grateful That she was content	Each item is a noun clause.
Analyze the data Interpret the results Draw conclusions	Each item is an imperative verb phrase.
A strong work ethic A positive attitude Excellent communication skills	Each item is a noun phrase.
To be kind To be compassionate To be understanding	Each item is an infinitive phrase.
Writing code Testing software Debugging applications	Each item is a gerund phrase.
The importance of education The value of hard work The power of perseverance	Each item is a noun phrase.
To inspire others To create change To make a difference	Each item is an infinitive phrase.
Building relationships Fostering collaboration Achieving success	Each item is a gerund phrase.
Dedication Commitment Passion	Each item is a noun.
With creativity With innovation With vision	Each item is a prepositional phrase.
That he was right That she was wrong That they were both mistaken	Each item is a noun clause.
Conduct research Analyze data Publish findings	Each item is an imperative verb phrase.
A clear understanding A strong foundation Practical experience	Each item is a noun phrase.
To be innovative To be proactive To be resourceful	Each item is an infinitive phrase.

Usage Rules for Parallel Structure

Several rules govern the proper use of parallel structure. These rules ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.

Coordinating Conjunctions

When using coordinating conjunctions such as and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet, ensure that the elements they connect are parallel. For example, “She likes to read books and to write stories” is correct because “to read books” and “to write stories” are both infinitive phrases. However, “She likes to read books and writing stories” is incorrect because “to read books” is an infinitive phrase, while “writing stories” is a gerund phrase.

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions such as both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also require parallel structure. The elements that follow each part of the conjunction must be of the same grammatical type. For example, “Both my sister and my brother are doctors” is correct because “my sister” and “my brother” are both noun phrases. However, “Both my sister and that my brother is a doctor” is incorrect because “my sister” is a noun phrase, while “that my brother is a doctor” is a clause.

Lists and Series

When creating lists or series, ensure that all items have the same grammatical form. This is especially important in bullet points or numbered lists.

For example, “The recipe requires flour, sugar, and baking powder” is correct because “flour,” “sugar,” and “baking powder” are all nouns. However, “The recipe requires flour, sugar, and mix it well” is incorrect because “flour” and “sugar” are nouns, while “mix it well” is a verb phrase.

Verbs in Parallel Structure

Verbs in parallel structure should be in the same tense and form. This includes using the same auxiliary verbs and verb endings.

For example, “He has studied math, science, and history” is correct because “studied” is used consistently for all subjects. However, “He has studied math, science, and is studying history” is incorrect because the verb tense changes from “has studied” to “is studying.”

Common Mistakes in Parallel Structure

Several common mistakes can occur when attempting to use parallel structure. Recognizing these errors is crucial for improving your writing.

Incorrect: He likes swimming, hiking, and to climb mountains.

Correct: He likes swimming, hiking, and climbing mountains.

Explanation: The incorrect sentence mixes gerunds (“swimming,” “hiking”) with an infinitive phrase (“to climb mountains”). The correct sentence uses gerunds consistently.

Incorrect: She is not only intelligent but also with a great personality.

Correct: She is not only intelligent but also has a great personality.

Explanation: The incorrect sentence uses an adjective (“intelligent”) followed by a prepositional phrase (“with a great personality”). The correct sentence uses an adjective (“intelligent”) followed by a verb phrase (“has a great personality”).

Incorrect: He enjoys to read books and playing sports.

Correct: He enjoys reading books and playing sports.

Explanation: The incorrect sentence mixes an infinitive phrase (“to read books”) with a gerund phrase (“playing sports”). The correct sentence uses gerund phrases consistently.

Incorrect: The report included data from the US, Canada, and Japan were also included.

Correct: The report included data from the US, Canada, and Japan.

Explanation: The incorrect sentence adds unnecessary words, breaking the parallel structure. The correct sentence maintains consistency by only listing the countries.

Incorrect: She likes to sing, dance, and is acting.

Correct: She likes to sing, dance, and act.

Explanation: The incorrect sentence uses infinitives (“to sing,” “dance”) mixed with a present continuous verb (“is acting”). The correct sentence uses infinitives consistently.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of parallel structure with the following exercises. Identify and correct the errors in each sentence.

Question	Answer
1. He enjoys reading, to swim, and playing guitar.	He enjoys reading, swimming, and playing guitar.
2. She is not only intelligent but also beautiful.	She is not only intelligent but also beautiful. (Correct)
3. The job requires someone who is dedicated, has experience, and is reliable.	The job requires someone who is dedicated, experienced, and reliable.
4. He likes to eat pizza and drinking soda.	He likes to eat pizza and drink soda. OR He likes eating pizza and drinking soda.
5. She is good at cooking, cleaning, and to do laundry.	She is good at cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry.
6. The report included data from the US, Canada, and Mexico.	The report included data from the US, Canada, and Mexico. (Correct)
7. He wants to travel to Europe, explore Asia, and to discover Africa.	He wants to travel to Europe, explore Asia, and discover Africa.
8. She is interested in history, literature, and art.	She is interested in history, literature, and art. (Correct)
9. He is known for his dedication to his work, his family, and his community involvement.	He is known for his dedication to his work, his family, and his community.
10. She enjoys walking in the park, reading by the river, and to listen to music.	She enjoys walking in the park, reading by the river, and listening to music.

More Practice Exercises:

Question	Answer
1. He is responsible for managing the budget, overseeing the project, and team coordination.	He is responsible for managing the budget, overseeing the project, and coordinating the team.
2. She is skilled in marketing, sales, and customer service.	She is skilled in marketing, sales, and customer service. (Correct)
3. He is determined to succeed, excel, and achieving his goals.	He is determined to succeed, excel, and achieve his goals.
4. She is passionate about environmental conservation, animal welfare, and social justice.	She is passionate about environmental conservation, animal welfare, and social justice. (Correct)
5. He spends his time volunteering at the shelter, mentoring underprivileged youth, and he advocates for human rights.	He spends his time volunteering at the shelter, mentoring underprivileged youth, and advocating for human rights.
6. She dreams of traveling the world, experiencing different cultures, and to make a difference in people’s lives .	She dreams of traveling the world, experiencing different cultures, and making a difference in people’s lives.

Advanced Topics in Parallel Structure

Beyond the basic rules, there are advanced topics in parallel structure that can further refine your writing.

Parallelism with Gerunds and Infinitives

When using gerunds and infinitives in parallel structure, it’s important to be consistent within the same sentence. Mixing gerunds and infinitives can lead to awkward phrasing and confusion.

Incorrect: He likes swimming, hiking, and to climb mountains.

Correct: He likes swimming, hiking, and climbing mountains.

Correct: He likes to swim, to hike, and to climb mountains.

Parallelism in Comparisons

When making comparisons using phrases like “as…as” or “than,” ensure that the elements being compared are parallel. This helps to create a clear and logical comparison.

Incorrect: Reading books is more enjoyable than to watch movies.

Correct: Reading books is more enjoyable than watching movies.

Correct: To read books is more enjoyable than to watch movies.

Parallelism in Outlines and Headings

In outlines and headings, maintaining parallel structure is essential for clarity and organization. Each heading or sub-heading at the same level should have the same grammatical form.

Incorrect Outline:

1. Introduction
2. Background Information
3. Methods of Research
4. Conclusion and Findings

Correct Outline:

1. Introduction
2. Background
3. Methods
4. Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering parallel structure is an essential skill for anyone looking to improve their English writing. By understanding the definition, structural elements, types, usage rules, and common mistakes associated with parallel structure, you can create clear, concise, and grammatically correct sentences.

Practice the exercises provided in this guide and continue to refine your skills over time. With dedication and attention to detail, you’ll be well on your way to mastering parallel structure and enhancing your ability to communicate effectively.