Grammar:

Parallel Structure

In this lesson, you will learn how to use parallel structure in your writing.

Parallel structure is a way to show your reader that two (or more) ideas have the same importance. Using parallel structure also makes your writing smooth and easy to read. To create parallel structure, you must present ideas in the same grammatical structure.

Parallel Structure in Sentences

Let’s consider the following sentence:

Parallel:She asked me to sweep the floor, clean the tables, and stack the chairs.

Do you see a similar pattern in the ideas of that sentence? Let’s look at the list of ideas in the sentence:

sweep the floor

clean the tables

stack the chairs

Notice how each of the ideas has the same structure of present tense verb + the + item Let’s change the sentence. See below:

Not parallel: She asked me to sweep the floor, clean the tables, and I need to stack the chairs.

Now the sentence does not have parallel structure. Let’s look at the list of ideas in the sentence:

Do you see a similar pattern in the ideas of that sentence? Let’s look at the list of ideas in the sentence:

sweep the floor

clean the tables

I need to stack the chairs

Notice that the last item has a different structure that does not match the structure of the first two items. Instead of keeping the item focused on the base of the sentence (She asked me to), the writer used I need to.

Let’s look at another example sentence:

Not parallel: I have seven years’ experience with account management, marketing strategies, and being a team leader.

In the last item in the sentence above, the writer breaks away from the structure of adjective + noun.

Let's see a correction:

Parallel:I have seven years’ experience with account management, marketing strategies, and team leadership.

In the correction, the last item was put in the same structure as the other items. The parallel structure keeps the focus evenly on all three items in the sentence. It is also easier to read.

Parallel Structure in Bulleted Lists

When creating bulleted lists, it is important to use parallel structure in each item in the list. You will use bulleted lists in communication such as résumés, emails, and memos.

See the example below from a résumé:

Not parallel:

Leadership Experience

• Tutored students in reading and math at Sunnyside Elementary
• Served classmates at Eagle High School as student body president
• I have mentored at-risk children at the Boys and Girls Club

Notice how the last item in the list does not follow the pattern of past tense verb + object + preposition. Let’s correct the last item.

See below:

Parallel:

Leadership Experience

• Tutored students in reading and math at Sunnyside Elementary
• Served classmates at Eagle High School as student body president
• Mentored at-risk children at the Boys and Girls Club

In the corrected list, the last item was put in the same structure as the first two items. The parallel structure keeps the focus evenly on all three leadership experiences in the list. It is also easier to read.