Parallel Sentences and

Parallel Sentences and Phrases
Non-Parallel Sentences: A
Common Problem in Sentence
Structure
Parallelism concerns the balance of

a sentence, or the similarity of
words, phrases, or clauses in a list
or series.
The following sentences have

parallelism of words:
Bethany enjoys baking cakes,

cookies, and brownies.
She doesn’t like washing dishes,

ironing clothes, or mopping the
floor.
This sentence does not:
Bethany enjoys baking cakes,

cookies, and to make brownies.
See the difference? The parallel

sentences contain a list of gerunds
(-ing groups). The incorrect
sentence sounds awkward because
it contains a mixture of two verbal
nouns (gerunds) and an infinitive
phrase (to + verb).
This sentence contains an
unparallel mixture of a gerund and
a noun:
She doesn’t like washing clothes or

housework.
But this sentence contains two

gerunds:
She doesn’t like washing clothes or

doing housework.
Parallelism is necessary in phrases,

as well:
The British Museum is a wonderful

place to see ancient Egyptian art, you
can explore African artifacts, and find
beautiful textiles from around the
world.
This sentence sounds jerky and out

of balance, doesn’t it? That’s
because the phrases are not
parallel. Now read this:
The British Museum is a wonderful

place where you can find ancient
Egyptian art, explore African
artifacts, and discover beautiful
textiles from around the world.
Notice that each phrase has a verb
and a direct object. Parallelism is
necessary when a series of words,
thoughts, or ideas appears in one
sentence. If you encounter a
sentence that just sounds wrong or
clunky, look for conjunctions like
and, or, but, and yet to
determine whether the sentence is
off balance.
Parallel Structure
Summary: (similar patterns of words).
Parallel structure means using the

same pattern of words to show
that two or more ideas have the
same level of importance. This
can happen at the word, phrase, or
clause level. The usual way to join
parallel structures is with the use of
coordinating conjunctions such as "and"
or "or."
Words and Phrases
With the -ing form (gerund) of
words:
Parallel: Mary likes hiking,
swimming, and bicycling.
With infinitive phrases:

Parallel: Mary likes to hike,
to swim, and to ride a
bicycle.
OR
Mary likes to hike, swim, and
ride a bicycle.
(Note: You can use "to" before all the

verbs in a sentence or only before the
first one.)
Do not mix forms.
Example 1
Not Parallel:
Mary likes hiking, swimming,
and to ride a bicycle.
Parallel:
Mary likes hiking, swimming,
and riding a bicycle.

Example 2
Not Parallel:
The production manager was
asked to write his report
quickly, accurate ly, and in a
detailed manner.
Parallel:
The production manager was
asked to write his report
quickly, accurately, and
thoroughly.
Example 3
Not Parallel:
The teacher said that he was a
poor student because he waited
until the last minute to study
for the exam, completed his
lab problems in a careless
manner, and his motivation was
low.
Parallel:
The teacher said that he was a
poor student because he waited
until the last minute to study
for the exam, completed his
lab problems in a careless

manner, and lacked
motivation.
Clauses
A parallel structure that begins with
clauses must keep on with clauses.
Changing to another pattern or
changing the voice of the verb (from
active to passive or vice versa) will
break the parallelism.
Example 1
Not Parallel:
The coach told the players
that they should get a lot of
sleep, that they should not
eat too much, and to do some
warm-up exercises before the
game.
Parallel:

sleep, that they should not
eat too much, and that they
should do some warm-up
exercises before the game.
— or —
Parallel:
sleep, not eat too much, and
do some warm-up exercises
before the game.

Example 2
Not Parallel:
The salesman expected that he
would present his product at
the meeting, that there would
be time for him to show his
slide presentation, and that
questions would be asked by
prospective buyers. (passive)
Parallel:
The salesman expected that he
would present his product at
the meeting, that there would
be time for him to show his
slide presentation, and that

prospective buyers would ask
him questions.
Lists After a Colon

Be sure to keep all the elements in
a list in the same form.
Example 1
Not Parallel:
The dictionary can be used for
these purposes: to find word
meanings, pronunciations,
correct spellings, and looking
up irregular verbs.
Parallel:
The dictionary can be used for
these purposes: to find word
meanings, pronunciations,
correct spellings, and
irregular verbs.
Proofreading Strategies to Try:
 Skim your paper, pausing at the words
"and" and "or." Check on each side of
these words to see whether the items
joined are parallel. If not, make them
parallel.
 If you have several items in a list, put
them in a column to see if they are
parallel.
 Listen to the sound of the items in a list
or the items being compared. Do you
hear the same kinds of sounds? For
example, is there a series of "-ing"
words beginning each item? Or do your
hear a rhythm being repeated? If
something is breaking that rhythm or
repetition of sound, check to see if it
needs to be made parallel.

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Parallel Sentences and Phrases

Parallelism concerns the balance of

The following sentences have

Bethany enjoys baking cakes,

She doesn’t like washing dishes,

This sentence does not:

Bethany enjoys baking cakes,

See the difference? The parallel

She doesn’t like washing clothes or

But this sentence contains two

She doesn’t like washing clothes or

Parallelism is necessary in phrases,

The British Museum is a wonderful

This sentence sounds jerky and out

The British Museum is a wonderful

Parallel structure means using the

swimming, and bicycling.

With infinitive phrases:

to swim, and to ride a

(Note: You can use "to" before all the

Mary likes hiking, swimming,

and to ride a bicycle.

Mary likes hiking, swimming,

and riding a bicycle.

The production manager was

asked to write his report

quickly, accurate ly, and in a

The production manager was

asked to write his report

quickly, accurately, and

The teacher said that he was a

poor student because he waited

until the last minute to study

for the exam, completed his

lab problems in a careless

manner, and his motivation was

The teacher said that he was a

poor student because he waited

until the last minute to study

for the exam, completed his

lab problems in a careless

The coach told the players

that they should get a lot of

sleep, that they should not

eat too much, and to do some

warm-up exercises before the

The coach told the players

sleep, that they should not

eat too much, and that they

should do some warm-up

exercises before the game.

The coach told the players

that they should get a lot of

sleep, not eat too much, and

do some warm-up exercises

before the game.

The salesman expected that he

would present his product at