1. Writing in
Parallel Structure

2. Parallelism
Parallelism is the use of similar grammatical structures to link related ideas. Parts of a sentence that have parallel meanings should have parallel structure. For example, if you’re listing various activities, use the same sentence part to describe each activity – nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, or phrases with phrases.

3. Parallelism
A typical error occurs when and is used to join different sentence parts. Original: Volunteering is fun, easy and rewards you. (The construction is not parallel because two adjectives are joined to a verb.) Revised: Volunteering is fun, easy and rewarding. (The construction is now parallel because three adjectives are joined.)

4. Parallel Structure
When you write in parallel structure, you use the same pattern of words (whether they be words, phrases, or clauses) to show that two items are equally important.
Parallel structure is oftentimes referred to as parallelism.

5. Parallel Structure
It is the matching grammatical structure of a sentence.

6. Why use Parallel Structure?
Improves the clarity of your writing
Provides more of an impact
Adds style to your writing

7. Practice Volunteers are kind and sympathize with people.
Donating clothing, volunteering at a food bank, and work at a homeless shelter are all ways you can help others.
Food banks are important for people who are unemployed, disabled, or don’t have a home.
Don’t spend all your time playing video games, watching movies, and at the mall.

8. Practice Answers Volunteers are kind and sympathetic with people.
Donating clothing, volunteering at a food bank, and working at a homeless shelter are all ways you can help others.
Food banks are important for people who are unemployed, disabled, or homeless.
Don’t spend all your time playing video games, watching movies, and shopping at the mall.

9. Parallel Structure with Gerunds
A gerund is the –ing form of a word.
Example: running, fishing, jumping
Example sentence in parallel structure:
Sara likes running, fishing, and hiking.
This sentence is in parallel structure because all of the verbs are in the same tense.

10. Parallel Structure with Infinitive Phrases
An infinitive phrase is when you place the word “to” in front of the verb.
Example: to run, to fish, to jump.
Example sentence in parallel structure:
Sara likes to run, fish, and jump.
Sara likes to run, to fish, and to jump.

11. Spot the Error Not Parallel Parallel
Sara likes to run, swimming, and jump.
Sara likes to run, to swim, and to jump.
Sara likes to run, swim, and jump.
Sara likes running, swimming, and jumping.
When the sentence is parallel, ALL of the verbs in the list are the same form and tense.

12. Spot the Error Not Parallel Parallel
Luis dislikes to dance, playing soccer, and golf.
Luis dislikes to dance, to play soccer, and to play golf.
Luis dislikes dancing, playing soccer, and golfing.
When the sentence is parallel, ALL of the verbs in the list are the same form and tense.

13. Spot the Error Not Parallel Parallel
The tax accountant was asked to deliver his report accurately, quickly, and in a detailed manner.
The tax accountant was asked to deliver his report accurately, quickly, and thoroughly.
When the sentence is parallel, ALL of the verbs in the list are the same form and tense.

14. Examples of
Parallel Structure

15. Parallel Structure
Not Parallel Elizabeth has intelligence, honesty, and she is funny. Parallel Elizabeth has intelligence, honesty, and humor.

16. Parallel Structure
Not Parallel Good writers plan outlines, write many drafts, and revision. Parallel Good writers plan outlines, write many drafts, and revise their work.

17. Parallel Structure - Lists
Not Parallel I failed the test for many reasons: I didn’t study, I didn’t try, and I don’t care about my grade. Parallel I failed the test for many reasons: I didn’t study, I didn’t try, and I didn’t care about my grade.

18. Famous Quotes in Parallel Structure
“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy
“I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” Winston Churchill
“If you are idle, be not solitary; if you are solitary, be not idle.” Samuel Johnson

19. Famous Quotes in Parallel Structure
“You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” Abraham Lincoln
“Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Benjamin Franklin

20. Sentence
Combining in
Parallel Structure
Class Practice

21. Let’s Practice
Combine the below sentences to create one sentence written in parallel structure.
Not caring about her performance in high school, the girl showed up late for class.
She also dressed inappropriately for class.
She failed to complete the work for class.

22. Let’s Practice
Combine the below sentences to create one sentence written in parallel structure.
Not caring about her performance in high school, the girl showed up late for class.
She also dressed inappropriately for class.
She failed to complete the work for class.

23. Answer
Not caring about her performance in high school, the girl showed up late for class.
She also dressed inappropriately for class.
She failed to complete the work for class.
In Parallel Structure:
Not caring about her performance in high school, the girl showed up late, dressed inappropriately, and failed to complete the work for class.

24. Let’s Practice
Combine the below sentences to create one sentence written in parallel structure.
Trying to do his best in school, the boy studied his notes every night.
He also completed his homework every night.
He read from the textbook every night.

25. Let’s Practice
Combine the below sentences to create one sentence written in parallel structure.
Trying to do his best in school, the boy studied his notes every night.
He also completed his homework every night.
He read from the textbook every night.

26. Answer
Trying to do his best in school, the boy studied his notes every night.
He also completed his homework every night.
He read from the textbook every night.
In Parallel Structure:
Trying to do his best in school, the boy studied his notes, completed his homework, and read from the textbook every night.

27. Sentence
Combining in
Parallel Structure
Individual Practice

28. Let’s Practice Jennifer likes running. Jennifer also likes to swim.
Combine the below sentences to create one sentence written in parallel structure.
Jennifer likes running.
Jennifer also likes to swim.
Finally, Jennifer likes reading.

29. Let’s Practice
Combine the below sentences to create one sentence written in parallel structure.
In the crisp winter air, the skiers zip down the mountain.
The skiers also are dodging obstacles.
In the crisp winter air, the skiers have a good time.

30. Let’s Practice My best friend took me to a show.
Combine the below sentences to create one sentence written in parallel structure.
My best friend took me to a show.
My best friend took me to a dance.

31. Let’s Practice
Combine the below sentences to create one sentence written in parallel structure.
To get ready for the baseball tournament, the team fielded ground balls.
The team has batting practice.
The team is working on base running.

32. Let’s Practice
Rewrite the sentence using correct parallel structure.
The cooking students watched the celebrity chef cut the chicken, dicing the tomatoes, and prepare the rice.