Parallel Structure

Sentence elements that are alike in function should also be alike in construction.
These elements should be in the same grammatical form so that they are parallel.

Using parallel structure in your writing will help with

1) economy 2) clarity 3) equality 4) delight.

Here are some examples of parallel elements

These elements, on the other hand, are not parallel

Writers generally use parallelism as a technique in the following five ways.

1. With elements joined by coordinating conjunctions, especially and, but, and or.

Examples of parallel words

Examples of parallel phrases

Examples of parallel clauses

The examples below show how to repair faulty parallelism.

Example #1
Example #2

2. Use parallel structure with elements in lists or in a series.

A series is a group of three or more elements in a row. The last element in the
series is connected to the others with one of these coordinating conjunctions: and,
or, but (not), or yet (not).

Commas should be placed between each element in the series and before the
coordinating conjunction.

Examples of series

As the examples below show, a series whose components are not in parallel format
sounds awkward and may cause misunderstanding.
Example #1

Example #2

3. Use parallel structure with elements being compared. (X is more than /

better than Y)

When we compare things, we often use words such as more, less, better, and
worse, We connect the items being compared with words like as and than.

Note the comparison methods in the examples below.

The elements being compared are parallel to one another:

driving is parallel to flying

Miriam's ability to is parallel to her resolve to

How you live is parallel to how much money you make

Comparing items without using parallel structure may cause confusion about what is
being compared to what.

Repair faulty parallelism in comparisons by making one element of the comparison

parallel to the other.

Note that you may choose to change either element to match the other.

4. Use parallel structure with elements joined by a linking verb or a verb of

being.

Joining elements with linking verbs or verbs of being suggests a completing of the
first item by the second one. Often, in fact, an equality between the two is being set
up, as the examples below illustrate.

Repair faulty parallelism with linking verbs or verbs of being by making one element
of the equation parallel to the other.
5. Use parallel structure with elements joined by a correlative conjunction.

These are the major correlative conjunctions:

either / or neither / nor both / and not only / but also

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs.

Whatever grammatical structure follows one must be parallel to the grammatical

structure that follows the other.

Examples with either / or and neither / nor

Examples with both / and

Examples with not only / but also

Repair faulty parallelism with correlative conjunctions by making one structure

parallel to the other as shown below.
With either / or

With neither / nor

With both / and

With not only / but also

Sentence Parallel Structure - Exercise 1
Directions: Each sentence below contains faulty parallelism with coordinate
conjunctions. Revise each sentence so that the elements joined by the
coordinate conjunction are parallel to one another.
Write your answers in the space provided under each item. When you have
completed the exercise, click on "Check My Answers" and check your
answers with those on the answer key.

1. What I said or my actions upset everyone in the room.

2. She suggested that I write a memoir and to send it to a good

publisher.

3. The instructor advised me to use the rearview mirror often, and I

should observe the speed limit.

4. People are paying more now for health insurance but to get less
coverage.

5. Doing strenuous exercise and poor nutrition habits can lead to illness.

6. We put the pictures and what our itinerary was into the album.

7. Many young people like to skateboard and watching the techniques of

other skateboarders.

8. Joe wants to buy a vest that has buttons or closing with a zipper.

9. Her ideas are usually sound and of importance.

10. Good sense and being thoughtful are two valuable assets.
Sentence Parallel Structure - Exercise 2
Directions: Each sentence below contains faulty parallelism with coordinate
conjunctions. Revise each sentence so that the elements joined by the
coordinate conjunction are parallel to one another.
Write your answers in the space provided under each item. When you have
completed the exercise, click on "Check My Answers" and check your
answers with those on the answer key.

1. The students have dissected frogs, cats, and how to dissect human
torsos.

2. At the store my duties are to keep the shelves stocked, to work the
registers, and assisting customers.

3. Original, imaginative, and seeming almost fantastic describe the

techniques of Dali's paintings.

4. My brother enjoys three activities: checkers, welding, and he collects

baseball cards.

5. Later that day, Mike took the fishing rods to the lake, caught several
fish, and he fell asleep.

6. The nanny was supposed to feed the children, walk the dog, and some
dusting in the living room.

7. The condominium board's goals include building up a reserve fund,

keeping the community informed, and property assessment.

8. Our baseball coach taught us how to hit, tag out runners, and base
stealing.

9. We want a candidate who has a sense of commitment, a good record in

public office, and who has experience in foreign affairs.

10. Reading mystery novels, exercising in the park, and crossword

puzzles occupy a good deal of my retirement time.
Sentence Parallel Structure - Exercise 3
Directions: Each sentence below contains faulty parallelism with coordinate
conjunctions. Revise each sentence so that the elements joined by the
coordinate conjunction are parallel to one another.
Write your answers in the space provided under each item. When you have
completed the exercise, click on "Check My Answers" and check your
answers with those on the answer key.

1. It is harder to tie a slip knot than tying a square knot.

2. We enjoyed water skiing much more than when we swam in the lake.

3. Driving will get you there more quickly than to walk.

4. A big car is not necessarily better than one that is small.

5. Hearing her sing in person was ten times better than if you heard her
on the radio.

6. He felt that being a good listener was just as important as to talk well.

7. Her excuses bothered me more than she was absent.

8. It is better to learn the material slowly than cramming on the night

before the test.

9. What you actually do is a better indication of your true motives than

your words.

10. One is more likely to slip on a banana peel than when an orange peel
is on the floor.
Sentence Parallel Structure - Exercise 4
Directions: Each sentence below contains faulty parallelism with elements
joined by linking verbs. Revise each sentence so that the elements are
parallel to one another.
Write your answers in the space provided under each item. When you have
completed the exercise, click on "Check My Answers" and check your
answers with those on the answer key.

1. To take the fifth amendment is refusing to incriminate yourself.

2. What she said was her meaning.

3. Doing well on the GRE means to assure yourself acceptance into a good
graduate school.

4. Many people mistakenly think that being wealthy is the same thing as
to be happy.

5. Marrying Major Boundy meant to leave her family and to travel all over
the world.
Sentence Parallel Structure - Exercise 5
Directions: Each sentence below contains faulty parallelism with correlative
conjunctions. Revise each sentence so that the elements are parallel to one
another.
Write your answers in the space provided under each item. When you have
completed the exercise, click on "Check My Answers" and check your
answers with those on the answer key.

1. Either ask Ben or Marianne to prepare the agenda for tonight's

meeting.

2. The director for special projects not only visited our regional center
in Baltimore but also our main office in New York.

3. The exercise both toned my muscles and it helped me to lose

weight.

4. At my training session, I was not only taught how to work the

register, but also how to treat customers courteously.

5. Either work today, or you will have to work tomorrow.

6. My friends are neither anxious to see the items in the museum nor
are they happy about the admission price.

7. She is both happy about the raise and she is nervous about the
extra responsibility.

8. They not only ate all the food in the house but they also didn't clean
up their mess.

9. Bert will meet us either at the restaurant or he will be at the taxi

stand.

10. The doctor promised neither to cause pain during the procedure nor
leave a scar.