Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, is a technique of using the same grammatical form for elements that have the same function or meaning in a sentence. It helps you create clear and concise sentences that are easy to read and understand. In this article, you will learn what parallel structure is, why it is important, and how to apply it to your writing.
Parallel structure means that you use the same word order, tense, voice, and punctuation for items that are coordinated or compared in a sentence. To illustrate, if you use a verb after a preposition, you should also use a verb after every other preposition in the same sentence. Similarly, if you use a noun after a conjunction, you should similarly use a noun after every other conjunction in the same sentence. As an example, consider the following examples of parallel structure: She likes reading, writing, and painting (all gerunds); He is smart, handsome, and funny (all adjectives); They went to the park, the museum, and the cinema (all nouns).
Parallel structure is like setting the table for a formal dinner. Just as each place setting requires the same arrangement of plates, utensils, and glasses for consistency and balance, each part of your sentence needs a matching structure. For instance, "She enjoys hiking, swimming, and to bike" disrupts the flow, much like a misplaced fork in a table setting. Instead, "She enjoys hiking, swimming, and biking" aligns each activity, creating a smooth, harmonious sentence, just as a well-set table creates a pleasing visual harmony.
Parallel structure is important for making sentences more coherent, consistent, and logical. It can prevent confusion, ambiguity, and repetition while demonstrating a clear and organized thought process. Additionally, it can improve the rhythm, flow, and emphasis of sentences. Furthermore, parallel structure has several benefits: it improves readability and comprehension; reduces wordiness and redundancy; and adds variety and interest. For example, you can use it to create contrast, comparison, or balance in your sentences. You can also use different types of parallelism such as antithesis, anaphora, or asyndeton to create rhetorical effects.
Parallel sentence structure is a way to wordplay and logic-play where you can scaffold meaning and create a rhythm. Use of parallel structure is particularly effective in persuasive writing and/or business and political writing. Shakespeare and Lincoln used it to create rhetoric that was memorable, humorous, and when needed poignant.
To apply parallel structure to your writing, you need to identify the elements that are coordinated or compared in your sentence and ensure they have the same grammatical form. Additionally, you should examine the word order, tense, voice, and punctuation of these elements and make them consistent. To do this, first identify the coordinating or correlative conjunctions in your sentence, such as 'and', 'but', 'or', 'neither...nor', 'not only...but also', etc. Then, recognize the elements linked by these conjunctions and make sure they have the same grammatical form. Finally, check the word order, tense, voice, and punctuation of these elements and make them uniform. For instance, if you use a verb in the past tense after one conjunction, use a verb in the past tense after every conjunction; if you use a comma after one element, use a comma after every element.
Applying parallel structure is like coordinating dancers in a ballet. Each dancer (word or phrase) must move in harmony with the others. For example, in "She likes to run, to swim, and biking," the last part is out of step. It's like one dancer doing a different routine. Correct it to "She likes to run, to swim, and to bike," ensuring each action follows the same form, like dancers in unison. This approach keeps your writing balanced and rhythmic, making it more pleasing and easier to follow for your readers.
Sometimes, errors in parallel structure can affect the clarity and accuracy of your writing, making sentences confusing or awkward. To spot and fix these errors, you need to look for signs such as mixing different grammatical forms, like nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or clauses. For example, "She likes to read, writing, and paint." is not parallel because it mixes a verb (to read), a gerund (writing), and a verb (paint). To make it parallel, you can use all verbs or all gerunds: "She likes to read, write, and paint." or "She likes reading, writing, and painting." Additionally, changing the word order, tense, voice, or punctuation of the elements can also create errors in parallel structure. For instance, "He not only studies hard but also is a good athlete." is not parallel because it changes the word order of the verb phrases. To make it parallel, you can use the same word order: "He studies hard and is a good athlete." or "He is not only a hard-working student but also a good athlete."
Improving your parallel structure is a skill that can be honed through practice and feedback. To begin, you can read and analyze different types of writing, such as essays, articles, speeches, or poems, to observe how parallel structure enhances clarity, coherence, and style. Then, you can rewrite sentences that are not parallel and make them parallel with the help of online tools like Grammarly or Hemingway. Additionally, write your own sentences using parallel structure and compare them to those generated by online platforms such as Quillbot or Paraphrase Online to gain a better understanding of the differences.
Parallel structure involves using consistent grammatical patterns in a sentence or paragraph. This consistency aids clarity by making it easier for readers to follow and understand the relationships between ideas. It creates a smooth flow and balance, preventing confusion that may arise from abrupt shifts in structure. Essentially, parallelism helps structure information in a way that is more digestible and comprehensible to the reader.