Parallel structures for balanced sentences

Parallel structures, also known as parallelism or parallel construction, ensure that elements within a sentence follow the same grammatical pattern. This improves readability, clarity, and flow. Parallelism is particularly important in lists, comparisons, and sentences with coordinating conjunctions (such as and, but, or).

Parallelism with Coordinating Conjunctions

When connecting words, phrases, or clauses with and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet, the elements should be in the same grammatical form.

Correct: She likes to read books and to write stories.

Incorrect: She likes to read books and writing stories.

Correct: The team brainstormed ideas, discussed strategies, and developed a plan.

Incorrect: The team brainstormed ideas, discussed strategies, and was developing a plan.

Parallelism in Lists and Series

Items in a list should follow the same structure.

Correct: The company offers competitive salaries, great benefits, and flexible hours.

Incorrect: The company offers competitive salaries, great benefits, and the hours are flexible.

Correct: The recipe calls for eggs, flour, sugar, and butter.

Incorrect: The recipe calls for eggs, flour, sugar, and to add butter.

Parallelism with Verb Forms

When listing actions, use the same verb form throughout the sentence.

Correct: She enjoys swimming, hiking, and cycling.

Incorrect: She enjoys swimming, hiking, and to cycle.

Correct: He studied diligently, practiced regularly, and performed excellently.

Incorrect: He studied diligently, practiced regularly, and was performing excellently.

Parallelism with Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds (-ing form) and infinitives (to + verb) should not be mixed within a list.

Correct: He likes reading, writing, and painting.

Incorrect: He likes reading, to write, and painting.

Correct: She wants to study, to work, and to travel.

Incorrect: She wants to study, working, and to travel.

Parallelism with Adjectives and Adverbs

When listing adjectives or adverbs, they should be in the same form.

Correct: The movie was exciting, entertaining, and well-paced.

Incorrect: The movie was exciting, entertaining, and had a good pace.

Correct: He spoke confidently, clearly, and persuasively.

Incorrect: He spoke confidently, in a clear way, and persuasively.

Common Mistakes in Parallelism

• Mixing verb forms in a list

  Incorrect: She likes to swim, hiking, and cycling.

  Correct: She likes swimming, hiking, and cycling.

• Using different structures in comparisons

  Incorrect: Running is healthier than to sit all day.

  Correct: Running is healthier than sitting all day.

• Changing patterns within a sentence

  Incorrect: He enjoys reading, to write, and painting.

  Correct: He enjoys reading, writing, and painting.

Final Tip

Parallelism is essential for clarity and balance in writing. Whether you're writing academic papers, business emails, or everyday sentences, using a consistent structure improves readability and impact.