Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas are similarly important. This can happen with words, phrases, or clauses. Parallel structures are often joined by coordinating conjunctions, like and, or and but.
Words and Phrases
With the -ing form (gerund) of words:
- Neal likes reading, watching movies, and playing video games.
With infinitive phrases:
- Neal likes to read, to watch movies, and to play video games.
- Neal likes to read, watch movies, and play video games.
You can use "to" before all the verbs in a sentence or only before the first one.
Do not mix forms.
Example 1
- Not Parallel:
- Neal likes reading, watching movies, and to play video games.
- Parallel:
- Mary likes reading, watching movies, and playing video games.
Example 2
- Not Parallel:
- The student said that his teacher was not helpful because he didn’t correct exams quickly, didn’t explain grammar well, and his speaking was too fast.
- Parallel:
- The student said that his teacher was not helpful because he didn’t correct exams quickly, didn’t explain grammar well, and didn’t speak slowly enough for students to understand.
Example 3
- Not Parallel:
- The assistant had to complete her tasks quickly, efficiently and in a complete way.
- Parallel:
- The assistant had to complete her tasks quickly, efficiently and completely.
Clauses
With parallel structure, if clauses are used at the beginning, they must also be used at the end.
Do not change to another pattern, or go from active to passive (or vice versa)
Example 1
- Not Parallel:
- The wife asked her husband to buy her a soda, to give her a ride to work and if he would call the restaurant and make a reservation for that night.
- Parallel:
- The wife asked her husband to buy her a soda, to give her a ride to work and to call the restaurant to make a reservation for that night.
- The wife asked her husband if he would buy her a soda, give her a ride to work and call the restaurant and make a reservation for that night.
Example 2
- Not Parallel:
- The manager expected that he would pay his employees, that he would have time for a cigarette, and that questions about the product would be asked by email. (passive).
- Parallel:
- The manager expected that he would pay his employees, that he would have time for a cigarette, and that customers would ask questions about the product by email.
To check for Parallel Structure:
- Check all your coordinating conjunctions. Make sure all the words you joined are parallel.
- Listen to the sound of the words you are comparing. If the sounds are the same (like -ing or -ed) then your structure is parallel.