Parallel structure is the repeated use of certain word forms, phrases, or clauses within a sentence. The repetition of grammatical patterns helps create parallelism, or coherence, within your writing. Use parallel structure with:
Word Forms
Follow parallel structure to maintain the same word forms.
Parallel: The students worked quietly, efficiently, and accurately.
This sentence is parallel because it features the repetition of adverbs (quietly, efficiently, accurately).
Not Parallel: The students worked quietly, efficiently, and in an accurate way.
This sentence is not parallel because it switches word forms from adverbs (quietly, efficiently) to an adjective (accurate).
Verb Tenses
Follow parallel structure to maintain the same verb tense.
Parallel: The researchers interviewed participants, conducted observations, and analyzed data.
This sentence is parallel because it features the repetition of past tense verbs (interviewed, conducted, analyzed).
Not Parallel: The researchers interviewed participants, conducted observations, and analyze data.
This sentence is not parallel because it switches from past tense verbs (interviewed, conducted) to a present tense verb (analyze).
Coordinating Conjunctions
Follow parallel structure when using a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
Parallel: She likes running, dancing, and drawing.
This sentence is parallel because it features a coordinating conjunction (and) along with the repetition of gerunds, or ing-words that function as nouns (running, dancing, drawing).
Not Parallel: She likes running, dancing, and to draw.
This sentence is not parallel because it switches from gerunds (running, dancing) to a verb form (to draw).
Correlative Conjunctions
Follow parallel structure when using a correlative conjunction (not only…but also, either…or, neither…nor, if…then).
Parallel: The students not only enjoy writing independently, but they also like working in groups.
This sentence is parallel because it features a correlative conjunction (not only…but also) and the same ing-word form (writing, working).
Not Parallel: The students not only enjoy writing independently, but they also like to work in groups.
This sentence is not parallel because it switches word forms from a gerund (writing) to a verb (to work).
Guide created by: C. Jones 5/24/2021
Revised by: B. McCoid 1/22/2024
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