Parallel structure is a grammar rule requiring similar parts of a sentence to follow the same grammatical pattern. It creates balance and clarity by using the same form for related ideas.
Parallel structure helps items in a list, comparison, or series have the same grammatical form. This consistency makes sentences easier to read and understand.
For example:
The correct version uses gerunds (-ing form) for all activities, while the incorrect version mixes gerunds and infinitives.
Parallel structure appears in several forms:
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Lists | "I need to buy apples, bananas, and oranges." |
| Comparisons | "She runs faster than he does." |
| Correlative Conjunctions | "Either you study now or fail later." |
Parallel structure enhances readability and emphasizes relationships between ideas. Without it, sentences can become confusing or awkward.
For instance, consider this non-parallel sentence: "The team decided to improve their communication, to work harder, and better time management." The corrected version would be: "The team decided to improve their communication, work harder, and manage their time better."
Many writers mistakenly mix verb tenses, parts of speech, or sentence structures. For example:
The incorrect version mixes nouns ("time," "resources") with a clause ("that the team work harder"). The correct version keeps all items as nouns.
To test for parallel structure, try reading the sentence aloud. If it sounds choppy or unbalanced, revisit the structure.
For example, the sentence "She wants to run, swim, and bike" flows smoothly because all verbs are in the infinitive form. However, "She wants to run, to swim, and biking" does not.