What is Parallel Structure?

Parallel Structure/Parallelism
• Parallelism refers to matching grammatical structures in
sentences. Elements in a sentence that have the same
function or express similar ideas should be grammatically
parallel, or grammatically matched.

• Parallelism is used effectively as a rhetorical device

throughout literature and in speeches, advertising copy,
and popular songs.

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Parallelism in Writing
• Good parallel structure improves the clarity of
your writing
• To make your writing parallel, use the same
grammatical form for all items in a list
• Lists can be any of these things:
– Parts of a sentence
– Headings in a report
– Items in a resume
– Bulleted lists

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Importance of Parallelism
• When you write a thesis statement, often
you have to summarize three reasons in
parallel form.
• Example: Tobacco should be outlawed
because it endangers everyone’s health,
pollutes the environment, and drains us
of valuable energy.

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Parallelism in Sentences
• Poor: Betty has intelligence, honesty, and she is funny.
• Improved: Betty has intelligence, honesty, and
she is funny humour.

• Poor: Good writing requires you to plan outlines, write

several drafts, and revision.
• Improved: Good writing requires you to plan outlines,
write several drafts, and revision revise your work.

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Parallelism in Lists
• Poor: I left my job for several reasons:
– The pay was poor
– Long hours
– I found the work tedious
– Equipment was dangerous
• Improved: I left my job for several reasons:
– Poor pay
– Long hours
– Tedious work
– Dangerous equipment

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Examples of Parallelism
• Winston Churchill did not say
– I have nothing to offer but bleeding, toil, tears,
and sweating.
• He said
– I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears
and sweat.
• Churchill understood parallelism!

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Examples of Parallelism
• Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.—
Joseph Addison

• Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the

ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sinith in
the seat of the scornful.—The Book of Psalms 1:1

• Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you
can do for your country.—John F. Kennedy

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Not Parallel
The housekeeper looked inside the
drawers, the bookcase, and under the
recliner.

Parallel
The housekeeper looked inside the
drawers, on top of the bookcase, and
under the recliner.

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Not Parallel
These boys could name the types of
trees, flowers, and some kinds of birds
in the forest.

Parallel
These boys could name the types of
trees, flowers, and birds in the forest.

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Not Parallel
The man was lonely, old, and a miser.

Parallel
The man was lonely, old, and miserly.

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Not Parallel
The model learned to speak well,
walking with poise, and that she must
apply makeup correctly.

Parallel
The model learned to speak well, to
walk with poise, and to apply makeup
correctly.

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Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.

A. I wondered whether to make an outline

first or I should write the rough draft.
B. I wondered whether to make an outline
first or to write the rough draft.
C. I wondered whether to make an outline
first or writing rough draft.
D. I wondered whether to make an outline
first or that I should write a rough draft.

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Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.

A. I wondered whether to make an outline

first or I should write the rough draft.
B. I wondered whether to make an outline
first or to write the rough draft.
C. I wondered whether to make an outline
first or writing rough draft.
D. I wondered whether to make an outline
first or that I should write a rough draft.

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Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.

A. The teacher came into the room, he paused

before the class, and began the lesson.
B. The teacher came into the room, he paused
before the class, and he began the lesson.
C. The teacher came into the room, he paused
before the class, and decided to begin the
lesson.
D. The teacher came into the room, he paused
before the class, and beginning the lesson.

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Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.

A. The teacher came into the room, he paused

before the class, and began the lesson.
B. The teacher came into the room, he paused
before the class, and he began the lesson.
C. The teacher came into the room, he paused
before the class, and decided to begin the
lesson.
D. The teacher came into the room, he paused
before the class, and beginning the lesson.

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Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.

A. Her choices were one, to begin college, or two,

to find a job.
B. Her choices were one, begin college, or two,
be an employee.
C. Her choices were one, begin college, or two,
that she find a job.
D. Her choices were one, beginning college, or
two, find a job.

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Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.

A. Her choices were one, to begin college, or

two, to find a job.
B. Her choices were one, begin college, or two,
be an employee.
C. Her choices were one, begin college, or two,
that she find a job.
D. Her choices were one, beginning college, or
two, find a job.

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 Quiz Time!
• Please take out a sheet of paper.
• For each sentence, you will rewrite it with
parallel structure.
• If it’s already parallel, write “no change.”

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Remember…
Correct only the sentences that are not parallel.
1. The factory workers were ready, able, and
were quite determined to do a great job.

2. The computer network is safer, stronger, and

more secure.

3. We cannot be worried or terrified of

difficulties in life.

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4. The actor taught his student how to read, how
to stand, how to cry, and to talk with fans.

5. The requirements for a chemistry degree are

not as strict as a medical degree.

6. Either you can join the army or the navy.

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7. The reorganization of the company is neither
simple nor it will be cheap.

8. When I was in high school, I learned piano

and how to play the guitar.

9. Fred supports the idea because, first, its

simplicity; second, it is unique.

10.They are either our friends or they are not.

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11. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.
A. He came, he saw, and he received.
B. He came, he wanted to see, but he didn’t.
C. He came; he started to ask; he didn’t
want to.
D. He saw, didn’t come or receive.

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12. Choose the sentence that has parallel
structure.
A. The children laughed, jumped, and danced.
B. The children were laughing, jumped, and
some were dancing.
C. The children were laughing and jumping;
some even danced.
D. The children laughed, dancing, and
jumping.

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13. Choose the sentence that has parallel
structure.
A. You are not only a student but also very
athletic.
B. You are not only a student but also being
very athletic.
C. You are not only a student but also an
athlete.
D. You are not only a student but also
have athletic ability.

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14. Choose the correct words to make the
sentence parallel.
Ron was an expert tennis player and _____.
A. went fishing
B. fished
C. liked to go fishing
D. an avid fisherman

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15. Choose the correct words to make the
sentence parallel.
Don would always open the mail, throw away
the junk mail, and _____.
A. to organize the bills.
B. organizing the bills
C. organize the bills
D. organization of the bills

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16. Choose the correct words to make the
sentence parallel.
Rebecca was not only my boss but also ______.
A. is my friend
B. says she is my friend
C. friendly
D. my friend

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