Key Principles of Parallelism in Writing

Why This Matters

Parallelism isn't just a stylistic flourish—it's a fundamental principle that exam graders look for when evaluating your writing clarity and sophistication. You're being tested on your ability to construct sentences where related ideas appear in matching grammatical forms, whether that means coordinating verbs, balancing phrases, or structuring lists consistently. Mastering parallelism directly impacts your scores on multiple-choice grammar questions and your essay responses.

The underlying principle is simple: parallel ideas deserve parallel structure. When you break this rule, readers stumble; when you follow it, your writing gains rhythm, clarity, and persuasive power. Don't just memorize what parallelism looks like—understand why certain constructions demand it (conjunctions, comparisons, lists) and train yourself to spot faulty parallelism instantly. That skill will serve you on test day and beyond.

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Foundational Concepts

Parallelism creates balance by matching grammatical structures—the brain processes symmetry more efficiently than asymmetry.

Definition and Core Principle

• Parallelism uses identical grammatical forms for words, phrases, or clauses that serve the same function—creating structural symmetry that mirrors logical symmetry
• Rhythm and balance emerge naturally when parallel elements repeat a pattern, making complex ideas feel organized and intentional
• Effective communication depends on it—from Lincoln's speeches to advertising slogans, parallelism makes language memorable and clear

Why Parallel Structure Matters

• Clarity comes from consistency—readers process information faster when they can predict the grammatical pattern
• Related ideas gain emphasis through repetition of structure, reinforcing logical connections between concepts
• Flow improves dramatically when sentences don't force readers to mentally "shift gears" between mismatched elements

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Parallelism in Lists and Series

When items belong to the same category logically, they should belong to the same category grammatically.

Parallel Structure in Simple Lists

• Every item must share the same grammatical form—all nouns, all gerunds, all infinitives, or all clauses
• Consistency reduces cognitive load by letting readers focus on content rather than decoding shifting structures
• Correct example: "I enjoy reading, writing, and hiking" uses three gerunds; mixing forms ("I enjoy reading, to write, and hikes") creates faulty parallelism

Parallelism in Bulleted or Numbered Lists

• Begin each item with the same part of speech—typically verbs in command form or nouns for formal documents
• Visual uniformity signals logical uniformity, helping readers scan and retain information
• Correct example: "To succeed, you should: review notes, practice problems, take breaks" maintains imperative verb structure throughout

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Parallelism with Conjunctions

Conjunctions are bridges—what appears on one side must match what appears on the other.

Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)

• For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so must connect grammatically equivalent elements—noun to noun, phrase to phrase, clause to clause
• Balance on both sides of the conjunction is non-negotiable; mismatches create jarring, unclear sentences
• Correct example: "She likes to swim and to run" pairs two infinitives; "She likes to swim and running" breaks the pattern

Correlative Conjunctions

• Either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also, both/and demand strict parallelism in what follows each paired word
• Whatever grammatical structure follows the first word must follow the second—this is the most commonly tested parallelism rule
• Correct example: "Not only did she sing, but she also danced" matches verb structures; placing elements asymmetrically ("Not only she sang but also danced") fails

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Parallelism in Comparisons and Consistency

When you compare or contrast, the grammatical playing field must be level.

Parallel Structure in Comparisons

• Compared elements must share grammatical form—adjective to adjective, noun phrase to noun phrase, clause to clause
• Faulty comparisons create logical confusion by suggesting you're comparing unlike things
• Correct example: "He is as talented as he is hardworking" compares two adjectives; "He is as talented as his hard work" illogically compares a quality to a thing

Maintaining Parallel Tense and Voice

• Verbs in a series should match in tense—don't shift from past to present mid-list without reason
• Voice consistency (active or passive) prevents awkward, choppy sentences that distract readers
• Correct example: "She was running, jumping, and swimming" maintains past progressive throughout; "She was running, jumped, and swims" creates temporal chaos

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Identifying and Fixing Errors

Spotting faulty parallelism is a skill you can train—look for the pattern, then find the break.

Recognizing Faulty Parallelism

• Scan lists and conjunctions first—these are the most common error locations on standardized tests
• Identify the pattern established by the first element, then check whether subsequent elements match
• Common error type: mixing gerunds with infinitives or nouns ("She likes reading, to swim, and bikes" contains three different forms)

Correcting Faulty Parallelism

• Choose one grammatical form and apply it consistently—usually match to the first item or the clearest option
• Revision example: "She likes reading, to swim, and biking" becomes "She likes reading, swimming, and biking" (all gerunds)
• Test your correction by reading aloud—parallel structures have a natural rhythm that your ear can detect

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Parallelism for Rhetorical Effect

Beyond correctness, parallelism is a tool for persuasion and memorability.

Using Parallelism for Emphasis

• Repetition of structure amplifies key points—the pattern itself signals importance to readers
• Memorable phrases rely on parallel rhythm—"government of the people, by the people, for the people" wouldn't resonate without structural repetition
• Strategic deployment in essays can strengthen thesis statements and concluding arguments

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Quick Reference Table

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Self-Check Questions

1. What do coordinating conjunctions and correlative conjunctions have in common regarding parallelism, and how do their structural demands differ?

2. If you encounter a sentence with a list containing "to analyze, evaluating, and the synthesis of data," which grammatical form would you choose to create parallelism, and why might that choice matter for clarity?

3. Compare and contrast parallelism in comparisons with parallelism in simple lists—what shared principle governs both, and what unique challenges does each present?

4. An FRQ asks you to revise a paragraph for clarity and coherence. You notice inconsistent verb tenses in a series and a correlative conjunction error. Which would you prioritize fixing first, and how would you explain your revision choices?

5. How does rhetorical parallelism (used for emphasis) differ from grammatical parallelism (used for correctness), and why do effective writers need both skills?