Skip to Main Content

Parallel ideas should have the same grammatical structure. This means that parts of a sentence—like phrases or clauses—should match.
Using parallel structure helps make writing clear and balanced.

Examples of Parallel Construction

Parallelism is important when using conjunctions like "between" and "and" to compare two items.


cancel

  Incorrect Example: We debated the difference between the weather in Minnesota in the winter and how hot it is in the summer.



Both parts of the sentence compare different types of weather. To maintain parallel structure, both parts should use "weather" for winter and summer, instead of mixing sentence structures.


check_circle

  Correct Example: We debated the difference between the weather in Minnesota in the winter and the weather in Minnesota in the summer.

When using "both," ensure that both parts of the sentence follow a parallel structure.


cancel

  Incorrect Example: The films were enjoyable both to watch and for discussing.



"Both" and "and" should connect two actions that are expressed in the same form. In the incorrect example, "to watch" and "for discussing" are not in the same grammatical form, which disrupts the balance.


check_circle

  Correct Example: The films were enjoyable both to watch and to discuss.

When using these paired conjunctions, both elements they connect should be structured similarly.


cancel

  Incorrect Example: Neither the responses to the questionnaire nor what we asked on the survey were answered.



The words "responses" and "survey" should match. "What we asked on the survey" is a phrase, while "responses" is a noun, creating an imbalance. Both parts should be nouns for parallelism.


check_circle

  Correct Example: Neither the responses to the questionnaire nor the responses to the survey were answered.

When using this correlative pair, both parts should maintain a parallel structure to avoid awkwardness.


cancel

  Incorrect Example: It was surprising not only that the house sold, but also it sold well over the asking price.



The sentence requires two clauses that are grammatically parallel after "not only" and "but also." In the incorrect example, "that the house sold" and "it sold well over the asking price" are not structurally parallel, disrupting the balance.


check_circle

  Correct Example: It was surprising not only that the house sold but also that it sold well over the asking price.

Parallel Construction in a List

Sentences with lists require special attention to parallel construction. When you present multiple items or actions in a list, all elements should follow the same grammatical structure for clarity and balance.

Example #1


cancel

  Incorrect Example: This paper will address No Child Left Behind, how to teach effectively, and instructing with multimedia aids.

In this case, the list contains three items: "No Child Left Behind," "how to teach effectively," and "instructing with multimedia aids." These are not in parallel form, as the first item is a noun phrase, the second is a noun clause, and the third is a gerund phrase.



check_circle

  Correct Example: This paper will address No Child Left Behind  benchmarks, effective teaching strategies, and multimedia instructional aids.

Now, the list has parallel elements (benchmarks, strategies, and aids are all plural nouns).

Example #2


cancel

  Incorrect Example: The students were unprepared, poorly behaved, and disrupted the class.

Here, the first two items ("unprepared" and "poorly behaved") are adjectives, but "disrupted the class" is a verb phrase.



check_circle

  Correct Example: The students were underprepared, poorly behaved, and disruptive.

Now, the list has parallel elements ("underprepared," "behaved," and "disruptive" are all adjectives).

Check Your Understanding