What is Parallelism in Writing?

Put another way, parallelism is form that follows meaning. Readers intuit meaning and importance from parallel structure when it’s used correctly—and become confused when it’s not.

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Parallel Structure Rules

Let’s look at some of the rules of parallel construction:

• Parallel ideas in a series should be balanced. When writing a series of items or statements, each part of the series should be in the same grammatical format.
• Parallel ideas in pairs should be balanced. Both ideas in a pair should have the same grammatical format. You can recognize parallel ideas by looking for the use of conjunctions (and, but, or) or indicators of comparison (than, as).
• Headers, lists, and outlines should use parallel structure. Bulleted lists, research paper outlines, or headers that appear throughout a document should have matching grammatical format.

Parallel structures require parallel elements. For example, if you have parallel ideas, and the first idea includes a prepositional phrase, the second idea should include one too.

Parallel structure with parallel elements:

We searched for the lost toy in the house and at the park but didn’t find it.

Parallel structure without parallel elements:

We searched for the lost toy in the house and park but didn’t find it.

Examples of Parallel Structure

Here are examples of the common ways you can use parallel structure—and common ways you may make a parallel structure mistake.

Series

Parallel:

When he cleans his apartment, the order of chores is usually starting a load of laundry, dusting, vacuuming, moving the laundry from the washer to the dryer, mopping, and folding the laundry.

Not parallel:

When he cleans his apartment, the order of chores is usually to start a load of laundry, dusting, vacuuming, to move the laundry from the washer to the dryer, mopping, and folding the laundry.

Pairs

Parallel:

My favorite parts of wedding receptions are the cake cutting and dancing.

Not parallel:

My favorite parts of wedding receptions are when the cake is cut and dancing.

Lists

Parallel:

Flu symptoms include:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle and body aches

Not parallel:

Flu symptoms include:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Spiking a fever
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Aching muscles

While programs like Word include built-in editors that can recognize grammar mistakes and offer practical writing help, don’t leave crafting parallel structure to AI. Using parallel structure correctly will help your writing be clear, economical, and enjoyable for your intended audience.