Parallelism in writing (speaking): Definition and examples

Parallelism, or parallel structure, is when you use the same grammatical form for similar elements in a sentence or list. Accordingly, this means that if you start with a verb, noun, or phrase in one part of your sentence, the following parts should match that form. It makes your writing clearer, more balanced, and easier to understand. Also, remember that in some forms of writing, the writer has a literary license to break the rules. However, use this with caution as it could confuse readers or listeners. On another note, it is a good idea to use parallelism when speaking. For example, if you are telling a story, you want consistency to help others follow what you are saying.

Why is it important?

• Clarity: It helps readers understand your points by maintaining consistency.
• Emphasis: It can emphasize ideas by similarly structuring them.
• Rhythm: It creates a rhythmic flow in your sentences, making them more engaging.

Examples of parallelism

1. In lists
   • Incorrect: She likes dancing, to swim, and playing guitar.
   • Correct: She likes dancing, swimming, and playing guitar. (All verbs are in the gerund form)
2. In comparisons
   • Incorrect: My father enjoyed both cooking and to bake.
   • Correct: My father enjoyed both cooking and baking. (Both actions are in the gerund form)
3. In sentences with correlative conjunctions (like not only…but also)
   • Incorrect: He is not only fluent in English, but also in French he can speak.
   • Correct: He is not only fluent in English but also fluent in French. (Both phrases are structured similarly)
4. In clauses
   • Incorrect: The manager told me to clean my desk, to organize my files, and that I should make sure to back up my computer.
   • Correct: The manager told me to clean my desk, organize my files, and back up my computer. (All commands in infinitive form)
5. In repetitive structures for emphasis
   • Example: To succeed, you must work hard, study consistently, and never give up. (Each element starts with an action verb in the same form)

Tips for ESL students

• When you write a list or compare items, check that each item follows the same grammatical pattern.
• If you’re using conjunctions like “and,” “or,” or “but,” make sure what comes before and after them matches in form.
• Read your sentences out loud; if they sound awkward, check if parallelism could improve them.

By practicing parallelism, you’ll make your writing more cohesive and compelling. Remember, the key is consistency in structure.

In summary

This guide explains parallelism as the practice of matching grammatical structures for similar sentence elements, such as using all gerunds (“dancing, swimming, playing”) or infinitives (“to clean, to organize, to back up”). It highlights its benefits: clarity through consistency, emphasis by structuring ideas similarly, and rhythm that makes sentences more appealing. Examples illustrate correct versus incorrect usage in lists, comparisons, correlative conjunctions (e.g., “not only…but also”), and repetitive structures for emphasis. For ESL learners, tips include checking patterns in lists or conjunctions and reading aloud to detect awkward phrasing. While literary license may allow deviations, cautious use is advised. Practicing parallelism fosters cohesive, compelling communication by ensuring structural consistency.