Parallel Structure in English Sentences: Meaning and Examples
Have you ever read a sentence that felt off or clumsy, even though the grammar seemed fine? Chances are, the sentence lacked parallel structure. In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What parallel structure means in English
- How to build it into your writing with ease
- How to spot and fix common parallelism mistakes
What Is Parallel Structure?
Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, means keeping parts of a sentence that do similar jobs in the same grammatical form.
In simpler terms, when a sentence contains two or more elements that are meant to match in meaning or function, they should also match in form. This creates balance, improves readability, and prevents confusion.
For example:
Wrong: She likes dancing, to swim, and reading.
Correct: She likes dancing, swimming, and reading.
Notice how the corrected version uses three gerunds (verbs ending in -ing) for smoothness and consistency.
Rules of Parallel Structure
Let’s now explore the major places where parallel structure matters and how to apply it correctly.
1. Use the Same Form in Lists or Series
When listing things in a sentence (especially actions or qualities), use the same word form for each item.
Wrong: He enjoys hiking, to swim, and biking.
Correct: He enjoys hiking, swimming, and biking.
All the words in the list follow the same verb form (-ing) for balance.
2. Keep Paired Ideas in the Same Structure
When connecting two ideas with conjunctions like and, or, or but, make sure the structures on both sides are grammatically similar.
Wrong: The course was challenging and full of excitement.
Correct: The course was challenging and exciting.
Here, both ideas are adjectives that describe the course, creating a balanced sentence.
3. Maintain Parallel Form in Comparisons
When comparing two ideas using than or as, the structures being compared should mirror each other.
Wrong: She is better at math than her brother is at dancing.
Correct: She is better at math than her brother is at science.
This correction maintains equal structure in both parts of the comparison.
4. Ensure Parallel Structure with Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions like either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, and both…and demand special attention. Both halves of the sentence must follow the same pattern.
Wrong: She not only sings well but also is a good dancer.
Correct: She not only sings well but also dances well.
Or: She is not only talented but also hardworking.
Consistency in grammatical form is key.
Common Mistakes in Parallel Structure
| Wrong Sentence | Corrected Version |
|---|---|
| I want to learn to paint, dancing, and how to sing. | I want to learn painting, dancing, and singing. |
| The workshop was long, tiring, and made us bored. | The workshop was long, tiring, and boring. |
| He either enjoys to cook or baking. | He either enjoys cooking or baking. |
| She was smart, kind, and knew how to work in a team. | She was smart, kind, and collaborative. |
Practice Questions
Can you rewrite these sentences to follow the rules of parallel structure?
- She wants to learn singing, dancing, and how to paint.
- The job requires patience, being skillful, and dedication.
- Neither the manager nor the workers were willing to compromise or making changes.
Write your corrected versions and test your skills!
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