Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, is a fundamental principle in English grammar that enhances the clarity, rhythm, and impact of your writing. It involves using the same grammatical pattern for two or more words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry, making your writing more persuasive and easier to read. Think of it as ensuring all parts of your sentence are dressed in the same style, creating a harmonious and unified whole.
Understanding Parallel Structure: Words and Phrases
At its simplest level, parallel structure can be applied to words and phrases. This often involves coordinating conjunctions like “and” or “or” to link elements of equal importance.
Using Gerunds (-ing forms):
When listing activities or actions, using the gerund form consistently creates a smooth and parallel flow.
Parallel: Mary enjoys hiking, swimming, and bicycling.
Here, each activity Mary enjoys is presented using the “-ing” form of the verb, creating a balanced list.
Using Infinitive Phrases (to + verb):
Similarly, infinitive phrases can be used in parallel. You have the option to use “to” before each verb or just before the first one in a series.
Parallel: Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle.
Parallel: Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle.
Both options are grammatically correct and maintain parallelism. The second option is often preferred for conciseness, especially in longer lists.
Alt text: Illustration of a woman happily hiking, swimming, and bicycling, visually representing parallel activities using gerunds in a sentence.
Avoiding Common Mistakes: Maintaining Parallelism
One of the most common errors in writing is mixing grammatical forms within a parallel structure. This disrupts the balance and can make your writing sound awkward or unclear.
Inconsistent Forms – Example 1:
Not Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.
Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.
The corrected sentence uses consistent gerund forms for all activities, establishing parallelism.
Inconsistent Forms – Example 2:
Not Parallel: The manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner.
Parallel: The manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.
In this example, “quickly” and “accurately” are adverbs, while “in a detailed manner” is a prepositional phrase. The parallel version uses “thoroughly,” an adverb, to match the grammatical form of the other elements.
Inconsistent Forms – Example 3:
Not Parallel: The teacher said the student was struggling because he procrastinated studying for exams, completed labs carelessly, and his motivation was low.
Parallel: The teacher said the student was struggling because he procrastinated studying for exams, completed labs carelessly, and lacked motivation.
The original sentence mixes verb phrases (“procrastinated studying,” “completed labs”) with a noun phrase (“his motivation was low”). The parallel revision uses “lacked motivation,” a verb phrase, to maintain consistency.
Parallel Structure with Clauses
When constructing sentences with clauses, especially those joined by coordinating conjunctions, it’s crucial to maintain parallel structure across the clauses. This ensures that each clause carries equal weight and contributes to a balanced sentence.
Clause Level Parallelism – Example 1:
Not Parallel: The coach advised the players that they should prioritize sleep, that they should moderate their food intake, and to perform warm-up exercises before the game.
Parallel: The coach advised the players that they should prioritize sleep, that they should moderate their food intake, and that they should perform warm-up exercises before the game.
Parallel: The coach advised the players to prioritize sleep, moderate their food intake, and perform warm-up exercises before the game.
The non-parallel example mixes “that they should” clauses with an infinitive phrase “to perform.” The parallel versions maintain consistency by either using “that they should” for all clauses or by using infinitive phrases for all actions.
Clause Level Parallelism – Example 2:
Not Parallel: The salesperson anticipated that he would present the product, that he would showcase his slides, and prospective buyers asking questions.
Parallel: The salesperson anticipated that he would present the product, that he would showcase his slides, and that prospective buyers would ask questions.
The original sentence incorrectly uses a noun phrase (“prospective buyers asking questions”) instead of a full clause. The parallel version corrects this by using the clause “that prospective buyers would ask questions,” ensuring grammatical balance.
Alt text: Diagram showing three parallel clauses connected by “and,” visually representing balanced clause structure in a sentence.
Parallelism in Lists Following a Colon
When introducing a list with a colon, it’s essential to ensure that all items in the list maintain the same grammatical form. This enhances readability and clarity.
Parallel Lists – Example 1:
Not Parallel: Dictionaries are useful for finding word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and how to look up irregular verbs.
Parallel: Dictionaries are useful for finding word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs.
The non-parallel list mixes noun phrases (“word meanings,” “pronunciations,” “correct spellings”) with an infinitive phrase (“how to look up irregular verbs”). The parallel version uses “irregular verbs,” a noun phrase, to align with the other list items.
Why is Parallel Structure Important?
Employing parallel structure is not just about grammatical correctness; it significantly improves the quality of your writing. Here are key benefits:
- Clarity: Parallelism makes your sentences easier to understand by presenting related ideas in a consistent and predictable format.
- Emphasis: It highlights the equal importance of the elements you are listing or comparing, adding emphasis to your message.
- Rhythm and Flow: Parallel structure creates a pleasing rhythm and flow in your writing, making it more engaging and enjoyable to read.
- Persuasiveness: In persuasive writing, parallelism can make your arguments more compelling and memorable.
Tips for Proofreading for Parallel Structure
Identifying and correcting parallelism errors is a crucial part of the proofreading process. Here are some helpful strategies:
- Focus on Conjunctions: Pay close attention to coordinating conjunctions like “and” and “or.” Check the grammatical forms on either side of these words to ensure they are parallel.
- Visualize Lists: If you have lists within your sentences, mentally or physically list them vertically to see if the items have a consistent structure.
- Read Aloud: Reading your writing aloud can help you hear the rhythm and flow of your sentences. Unevenness in sound may indicate a lack of parallelism.
- Isolate Sentence Parts: Break down complex sentences into their core components, especially clauses and phrases, to check for structural consistency.
Mastering parallel structure is a key step in refining your writing skills. By consciously applying this principle, you can create sentences that are not only grammatically sound but also clear, impactful, and engaging for your readers. Practice identifying and implementing parallel structure in your writing to elevate your communication to the next level.
