How to Write Sentences with Parallel Structure: Improve Your Writing Skills

📚 What is Parallel Structure?

Parallel structure (also called parallelism) is the repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence. By making each compared item or idea in your sentence follow the same grammatical pattern, you create balance and clarity. This makes your writing more persuasive and easier to understand.

📜 A Brief History of Parallelism

Parallelism isn't a new concept! It has been used throughout history by great writers and speakers to add rhythm and power to their words. Think about famous speeches – many rely on parallelism to make their message memorable. From the Bible to Shakespeare to Martin Luther King Jr., the power of balanced phrasing has resonated across centuries.

🔑 Key Principles of Parallel Structure

• ⚖️ Balance Your Elements: Ensure the elements you're connecting (words, phrases, or clauses) are grammatically similar.
• 🔗 Use Coordinating Conjunctions: Words like 'and,' 'but,' 'or,' 'nor,' 'for,' 'so,' and 'yet' often connect parallel elements.
• 🎯 Maintain Consistency: If you start with a verb in one part of the sentence, stick with verbs in the other parallel parts. The same goes for nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and phrases.
• 🚫 Avoid Mixing Grammatical Forms: Don't mix gerunds (verb + -ing) with infinitives (to + verb), for example.

✍️ Real-World Examples of Parallel Structure

Let's look at some examples to solidify your understanding:

• ✅ Correct: She likes hiking, swimming, and biking. (All gerunds)
• ❌ Incorrect: She likes hiking, to swim, and bike. (Mixed forms)
• ✅ Correct: The manager wanted employees who were reliable, who were motivated, and who were innovative. (Parallel clauses)
• ❌ Incorrect: The manager wanted employees who were reliable, motivated, and had innovation. (Mixed forms)
• ✅ Correct: We went to the store, to the park, and to the beach. (Parallel prepositional phrases)
• ❌ Incorrect: We went to the store, the park, and the beach. (Missing 'to' in the second phrase)

💡 Tips for Using Parallel Structure Effectively

• 🧐 Read Aloud: Reading your writing aloud can help you identify awkward phrasing where parallelism is missing.
• 📝 Outline Your Sentences: Before writing, outline the structure of complex sentences to ensure parallel elements.
• 🔎 Revise Carefully: During revision, specifically look for opportunities to improve parallelism.
• 📚 Study Examples: Pay attention to how skilled writers use parallelism in their work.

✏️ Practice Quiz

Identify the sentences with correct parallel structure:

1. A. He enjoys reading, to cook, and gardening.
2. B. He enjoys reading, cooking, and gardening.
3. C. She is not only intelligent but also she is beautiful.
4. D. She is not only intelligent but also beautiful.
5. E. They came, they saw, and they conquered.
6. F. They came, they saw, and conquering.
7. G. To err is human; to forgive, divine.

(Answers: B, D, E, G)

🔑 Conclusion

Mastering parallel structure is a key step in elevating your writing. By paying attention to the grammatical balance of your sentences, you can create prose that is both clear and compelling. So, go forth and write with confidence!