Parallel Structure

Understanding Parallel Structure

Parallel structure (also called 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 parallel construction.

Example Not Parallel: Marty likes reading, writing, and math problems.

Parallel:Marty likes reading, writing, and solving math problems.

OR

- Marty likes to read, to write, and to solve math problems.

Using Parallel Structure

With Coordinating Conjunctions If connecting two or more clauses or phrases with a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so), use parallel structure.

Not Parallel: Mary likes dancing and to watch TV.

Parallel:

Mary likes dancing and watching TV.

OR

Mary likes to dance and to watch TV.

Using Parallel StructureWhen connecting words or phrases with “not

only…...but also”

Not Parallel: My brother enjoys not only cooking the meal, but also to

do the dishes.

Parallel: My brother likes not only cooking the meal, but also doing the

dishes. OR

My brother likes not only to cook the meal, but also to do the dishes.

Using Parallel StructureWhen connecting words or phrases with “either……

or”

Not Parallel: You will either pass or be failing if you don’t do your

work.

Parallel: You will either pass or fail if you don’t do your work.

OR

You will either be passing or be failing if you don’t do your work.

Using Parallel Structure

When connecting phrases or clauses that compare two things using “than” or “as”.

Not Parallel: He would rather be working than sit at home bored.

Parallel: He would rather be working than be sitting at home bored.

OR

He would rather work than sit at home bored.

Using Parallel Structure

When presenting items or actions in a list

Not Parallel: During his lunch break, Jeff went home to get his laptop charger, and he also had to make a phone call, and he was going to take a shower.

Parallel: During his lunch break, Jeff went home to get his laptop charger, make a phone call, and take a shower.