Parallel structure (parallelism) means keeping the same grammatical pattern in a list, comparison, or sentence structure. It makes your writing clearer, smoother, and more professional. When the forms don’t match, the sentence sounds awkward or confusing.
Parallelism in lists
All items in a list should use the same form.
- Incorrect: She likes dancing, cooking, and to read.
- Correct: She likes dancing, cooking, and reading.
- Incorrect: I need a pen, paper, and to find my notes.
- Correct: I need a pen, paper, and my notes.
Parallelism with infinitives
- Correct: He wants to relax, to travel, and to learn.
- Also correct: He wants to relax, travel, and learn.
Parallelism in comparisons
Keep the structure the same on both sides of a comparison.
- Incorrect: My job is more stressful than working at a café.
- More natural corrections:
- ✔️ My job is more stressful than a job at a café.
- ✔️ My job is more stressful than the café job.
- ✔️ Working in the office is more stressful than working at a café.
Parallelism with paired conjunctions
Expressions like both…and, either…or, neither…nor, and not only…but also require matching structures.
- Correct: She is both smart and hardworking.
- Correct: He is not only talented but also hardworking.
- Incorrect: He wants either to travel or studying.
- Correct: He wants either to travel or to study.
