Parallel Structure
Essential Question
How can I clearly communicate relationship patterns between ideas?
Grammar in the World
When you hear a phrase like "parallel structure," you probably think about lines going in the same direction. However, parallel structure is really more about keeping a sentence balanced by structuring words and phrases the same way. Let's start by seeing how much you already know!
What Do I Know?
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Use the following interactive to see what you already know about creating sentences that flow well and make sense.
Building Blocks
Grammar is a complex system and structure of language. Mizzou Academy Grammar Lab spotlights one skill (or block) at a time, but it’s often helpful to see how a skill works together with other, related blocks to build the language structure as a whole. You may find the following resource topics helpful as context for this lesson:
Learn About Parallel Structure
When we use parallel structure, we are repeating a grammatical pattern of words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence.
For example, this sentence is parallel:
Molly’s hobbies are hiking , gardening , and reading .
This sentence is not parallel:
Molly’s hobbies are hiking , swimming , and to read .
It is important to use parallel structure in our speaking and writing to make our sentences flow smoothly. You probably usually use parallel structure when you speak and write without even thinking about it, but it’s good to know the rules about parallel structure and to understand why we use it. Later lessons will go into more detail about parallel structure, but for now, here are some basic rules:
To write sentences that have parallel structure, repeat the same grammatical pattern of words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence. Repeating these patterns helps readers clearly understand the relationships between the ideas you are discussing. For example, in the paragraph above, I wrote this sentence with parallel structure:
...but it’s good to know the rules about parallel structure and to understand why we use it.
If I had used incorrect parallel structure, I might have written it like this:
...but it’s good knowing the rules about parallel structure and to understand why we use it.
Do you see the difference? The sentence flows much more smoothly when it is written with parallel structure.
See more examples below:
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Parallel Structure |
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Repeated Words |
Correct: My son dislikes his chores of cleaning his room, mowing the yard, and putting away laundry. Incorrect: My son dislikes his chores of cleaning his room, mowing the yard, and he does not like to put away his laundry. |
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Repeated Phrases |
Correct: If we go to Sanibel Island again, I want to rent bikes , to visit the ocean, and to eat a lot of seafood. OR If we go to Sanibel Island again, I want to rent bikes, visit the ocean, and eat a lot of seafood.
Incorrect: If we go to Sanibel Island again, I want to rent bikes, to visit the ocean, and eating a lot of seafood. |
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Repeated Clauses |
Correct: Amelie needs to decide whether she is living on campus or if she is renting an apartment. Incorrect: Amelie needs to decide whether she is living on campus or if she wants to rent an apartment. |
Do I Get It?
Check your knowledge of parallel structure with this interactive exercise: