Have you ever noticed how some writing just flows beautifully, feeling balanced and rhythmic? Often, that pleasing effect is thanks to a clever literary technique called Parallel Structure. It is a powerful tool authors use to create emphasis, clarity, and a memorable reading experience. This guide will explore everything you need to know about parallel structure, from its basic definition to its more nuanced applications.
What is Parallel Structure?
At its simplest, Parallel Structure, also sometimes called parallelism, means using the same grammatical form for multiple words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence. Think of it as creating a sense of balance and rhythm through repeated patterns. It is like building with blocks—when the blocks are the same shape and size, the structure is much more stable and visually appealing.
Basic Examples of Parallel Structure
Let’s start with some straightforward examples:
- Not Parallel: I like running, to swim, and cycling.
- Parallel: I like running, swimming, and cycling. (All gerunds – verbs acting as nouns ending in -ing)
- Not Parallel: She enjoys reading, to write, and painting.
- Parallel: She enjoys reading, writing, and painting. (All gerunds)
- Not Parallel: He wanted a car that was fast, reliable, and it was affordable.
- Parallel: He wanted a car that was fast, reliable, and affordable. (All adjectives)
Notice how the parallel versions sound smoother and more polished. That is the effect of consistent grammatical structure.
Why Use Parallel Structure?
Parallel structure isn’t just about making your writing sound better; it also improves clarity and impact. Here’s how:
- Emphasis: Repeating a grammatical pattern draws attention to the elements being presented.
- Clarity: It helps readers understand the relationship between ideas by signaling that certain elements are of equal importance.
- Rhythm and Flow: Parallelism creates a pleasing rhythm that makes your writing more enjoyable to read.
- Memorability: Balanced phrases are easier to remember.
Types of Parallel Structure
Parallel structure can be applied at different levels: words, phrases, and clauses. Let’s look at each:
Parallelism with Words
This involves repeating the same type of word—nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs—in a series.
Example: She bought apples, bananas, and oranges. (All nouns)
Example: He ran, jumped, and swam. (All verbs)
Parallelism with Phrases
Here, you repeat the same type of phrase—prepositional, infinitive, gerund—in a series.
Example: The report covered the budget, the timeline, and the personnel changes. (All noun phrases)
Example: I enjoy reading novels, writing poetry, and painting landscapes. (All gerund phrases)
Example: He wants to travel the world, to learn new languages, and to experience different cultures. (All infinitive phrases)
Parallelism with Clauses
This involves repeating the same grammatical structure in multiple clauses—independent or dependent.
Example: She came, she saw, and she conquered. (All independent clauses in the past tense)
Example: If you study hard, if you practice regularly, and if you stay focused, you will succeed. (All dependent clauses)
Advanced Examples & Nuances
Let’s explore some more complex examples to see how parallel structure can be used to create powerful effects.
Example: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” (John F. Kennedy). This famous quote relies heavily on parallelism to emphasize the importance of civic duty. Both clauses begin with “ask” and follow the same subject‑verb‑object structure.
Example: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” (Abraham Lincoln). The repeated prepositional phrases create a powerful and memorable rhythm, underscoring the idea of popular sovereignty.
Example: Consider this sentence: “She is skilled in writing, painting, and to sing.” This is not parallel. To fix it, you could say: “She is skilled in writing, painting, and singing.” Or “She is skilled in to write, to paint, and to sing.” The key is consistency.
Example: Not Parallel: “He likes cooking, to read, and playing the guitar.”
Parallel: “He likes cooking, reading, and playing the guitar.”
Example: “The novel was both exciting and thought provoking.” – Demonstrates parallelism with adjectives connected by “both…and.”
Example: Not Parallel: “She wanted to be a doctor, a teacher, and a successful businesswoman.”
Parallel: “She wanted to be a doctor, a teacher, and a businesswoman.”
Avoiding Common Mistakes
While parallel structure is a powerful tool, it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are a few things to watch out for:
- Mixing Grammatical Forms: Don’t combine infinitives with gerunds or nouns with adjectives.
- Missing Connecting Words: If you have a series of parallel elements, make sure they’re connected with coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) or correlative conjunctions (both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also).
- Overuse: While parallelism is effective, too much can make your writing sound repetitive or artificial. Use it strategically for emphasis and clarity.
Putting it All Together
Parallel structure is a valuable technique that can significantly enhance the quality of your writing. By understanding the different types of parallelism and avoiding common mistakes, you can create sentences that are clear, concise, and impactful. Whether you’re writing a formal essay, a persuasive speech, or simply crafting an email, paying attention to parallel structure will help you communicate your ideas with greater precision and elegance. Embrace the power of balance and rhythm, and let parallel structure become a cornerstone of your writing style.