What is Parallel Structure?
Parallel structure is used in sentences to promote readability as well as to create a common level of importance between ideas.
- Also know as parallelism, using parallel structure creates a common grammatical pattern throughout a sentence.
- Often, matching verb tenses, nouns, and conjunctions will lead you to a more parallel construction.
Examples:
Not Parallel: Reece likes to read, writing, and eat.
Parallel: Reece likes reading, writing, and eating.
Not Parallel: My professor told me that I needed to write a paper by Friday, I should study for my quiz on Tuesday, and to do my homework.
Parallel: My professor told me that I needed to write a paper by Friday, study for my quiz on Tuesday, and do my homework.
OR
My professor told me that I need to write a paper by Friday, that I need to study for my quiz on Tuesday, and that I need to do my homework.
Not Parallel: My shopping list for the party includes: balloons, dessert, streamers, and chips.
Parallel: My shopping list for the party includes: balloons, desserts, streamers, and chips.
Not Parallel: I have to eat breakfast quickly and be efficient so I can get to class on time.
Parallel: I have to eat breakfast quickly and efficiently so I can get to class on time.
Not Parallel: I enjoy neither playing video games or exercise.
Parallel: I enjoy neither playing video games nor exercising.
Contributed by: Zoey Rosen