Parallel structure means using the same grammatical form for items that belong together. “She likes hiking, swimming and cycling” is parallel; “She likes hiking, swimming and to cycle” is not.
Parallelism makes writing clear and rhythmic. It is especially important in lists, comparisons and pairs such as not only…but also and both…and: “Our aims are to listen, to learn and to lead.”
Speakers use it for power. Repeated structures create balance and make ideas memorable.
Worked example
Fix: “The job requires patience, skill and being organised.”
- Patience and skill are nouns.
- Change being organised to a noun: organisation.
Answer:The job requires patience, skill and organisation.
Key words
- parallel structure
- matching grammatical forms in a series
- series
- a list of related items
- balance
- a pleasing match between parts
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: L.9-10.1a