PARALLEL STRUCTURE
Parallel structure means using the same grammatical pattern within phrases and clauses. The means making sure that all of the verbs are consistent in form and arranging phrases and clauses within a sentence to follow the same grammatical pattern. The goal of parallel structure is also to eliminate unnecessary words and repetition. One of the major rules of writing is the fewer words, the better! If you can say something in 5 words instead of 10, why wouldn’t you? Fewer words allow you (and your reader) to get to the point more quickly and clearly.
Parallel structure means you are dealing with one of two things: pairs [a and b/a or b] or series [a, b, and c/a, b, or c]. the letter a, b, c, etc. stand for words or groups of words. Any words or groups of words you put into a sentence should be in the same form or follow the same pattern. For example:
Pairs: Series:
running and jumping grumpy, hungry, and tired (all adjectives)
annoyed and frustrated an old doll, a teddy bear, and a warm blanket (adj. + noun)
laughing or crying eating, drinking, and talking
ugly shoes and pretty dresses (adj. + plural noun) cleaned, painted, and decorated
Achieving parallel structure is relatively easy. It is all about grammatical balance. Look for it when you read: experienced writers often use it because it creates a sense of fluidity (flow) in their writing.
The children are energetic and noisy. = adjective + adjective
She bought a skirt and a blouse. = noun + noun
He walked slowly and confidently to the witness stand. = adverb + adverb
Swimming and hiking are my favorite summer activities. = gerund + gerund
Original: The children were running and jumped around.
Better: The children were running and jumping.
Original: I am grumpy, hungry, and I feel tired.
Better: I am grumpy, hungry, and tired.
Original: My little sister’s favorite things are her doll that is old, a teddy bear, and a blanket that is warm.
Better: My little sister’s favorite things are an old doll, a teddy bear, and a warm blanket.
Original: I like to hike, shopping, and to cook food.
Better: I like to hike, to shop, and to cook.
OR
I like hiking, shopping, and cooking.
Original: I have so many home improvement projects to do this summer, like painting, I have to put up cabinets, and then there is the job of replacing all of the windows in the house.
Better: I have many home improvement projects to do this summer, like painting walls, putting up cabinets, and replacing windows.
OR
This summer, I have many home improvement projects to do: paint walls, put up cabinets, and replace windows.
Original: I lived in Berrien Springs, and then I decided to move to Mount Pleasant, and finally ended up downstate in Lansing.
Better: I lived in Berrien Springs, Mount Pleasant, and Lansing.
OR
I moved from Berrien Springs to Mount Pleasant to Lansing.
Creating Parallel Structure with Words & Phrases
With gerunds (-ing forms):
Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling.
With infinitives (to + verb):
Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle. OR Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle.
(NOTE: You can use “to” before all of the words in the sentence, or just before the first one.)
Do not mix forms:
Not Parallel: John likes creating music, watching movies, and to play video games.
Parallel: John likes creating music, watching movies, and playing video games.
Not Parallel: My partner asked me to write the lab report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner.
Parallel: My partner asked me to write the lab report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.
Not Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and his motivation was low.
Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and lacked motivation.
(NOTE: I can put the word “he” after each comma, but it is better to leave it out because the subject is the same for the rest of the sentence, and I want to always try to delete unnecessary words.)
Creating Parallel Structure with Clauses
A parallel structure that begins with a clause must keep on using the same pattern of clauses. Changing to another verb pattern or voice of the verb (from active to passive/passive to active) will break the parallelism.
Not Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much,
and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.
Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much,
and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.
OR
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, not eat too much, and do some warm-up exercises before the game.
Not Parallel: The ball was kicked by the boy, a goal was scored, and he hugged his teammates in celebration.
(switches to passive voice)
Parallel: The boy kicked the ball, scored a goal, and hugged his teammates in celebration.
Not Parallel: The doctor worked many hours a week and a lot of lives were saved by him.
Parallel: The doctor worked many hours a week and saved a lot of lives.
Creating Parallel Structure with Lists
Be sure to keep the elements in a list in the same form.
Not Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.
Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs.
Not Parallel: There are many different modes of transportation available to people living in the city: the train, subways, they can take the bus, and taxis.
Parallel: There are many different modes of transportation available to people living in the city: trains, subways, buses, and taxis.
Proofreading Strategies to Try
● Skim your paper, pausing at the words “and” or “or.” Check on each side of these words to see whether the items are joined are
parallel. If not, make them parallel.
● If you have several items in a list, put them in column to see if they are parallel.
● Listen to the sound of the items in a list or the items being compared. Do you hear the same kinds of sounds? For example, is there a series of “-ing” words beginning each item? Or do you hear a rhythm being repeated? If something is breaking that rhythm or repetition of sound, check to see if it needs to be made parallel.
Partly taken from “Parallel Structure.” OWL at Purdue University and Purdue University. 1995-2004. 23 Oct. 2008 <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/grammar/g_parallel.html >.
Practicing Parallel Structure
Revise the following sentences to create parallel structure and to delete as many words as possible..
1. In my opinion, watching TV can increase our knowledge, relaxing us, and we are entertained.
2. Watching television can be a waste of time because it occupies our study time, breaks a person’s good habits, and their eyesight is destroyed.
3. Single life offers more freedom of choice; more security is offered by marriage.
4. I went to school, was taking a test, and then did my homework.
5. Schools might be identified by such names as dental colleges, liberal arts colleges, or colleges of business.
6. I love to go traveling and taking good pictures.
7. Many students don’t know numerous basic skills such as doing laundry and how to balance a checkbook.
8. The main adjustment for freshmen is how to live and making decisions by themselves.
9. The professor walked through the door, looked at the students, and he sits on the desk.
10. He is a man known for his integrity and because his is brilliant.
11. She likes to listen to music and reading the latest novels.
12. He spent his time studying Spanish, working at the convenience store, and he jogged every afternoon.
13. The dog was excited: running, barking, and he chased after the boys.
14. The apartment was filled with old newspapers, broken bottles, and the ashtrays were overflowing.
15. Mary wanted to paint her office, to add some new draperies, and the carpet need cleaning.
16. When Friday rolls around, do you go to the mall, head for a bar, or are you going to work?
17. Last year, my brother dropped out of school, was looking for work, and needed a place to stay.
18. He watched the latest version of King Lear, studied for his math test, and was talking on the phone.
19. Raoul's QPA is higher than Ralph.
20. We found the film repulsive, offensive, and we thought it was embarrassing.