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Parallelism (Structural Consistency)

Introduction

Parallelism (also known as structural consistency) means using the same grammatical form for ideas of equal importance within a sentence. Maintaining parallel structure ensures balance, clarity, and rhythm in writing.

Faulty parallelism often occurs when verbs, nouns, or phrases in a list or comparison don’t follow the same grammatical pattern.

Pattern: Parallelism (Structural Consistency)

Pattern

When ideas are presented in a series, comparison, or list, ensure all elements use the same grammatical form (e.g., verb form, noun form, infinitive form).

  • Correct: She likes reading, writing, and painting.
  • Incorrect: She likes to read, writing, and painting.

Step-by-Step Example

Question

Choose the sentence with correct parallel structure:

  1. He wanted to study medicine, engineering, and become a pilot.
  2. He wanted to study medicine, to study engineering, and become a pilot.
  3. He wanted to study medicine, to study engineering, and to become a pilot.
  4. He wanted to studying medicine, engineering, and to become a pilot.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the pattern

    The sentence lists three activities that must follow the same grammatical form.

  2. Step 2: Check for consistency

    Since the sentence begins with the infinitive “to study,” all items should use the infinitive form for balance.

  3. Step 3: Compare the options

    Only Option C maintains consistent structure: to study medicine, to study engineering, and to become a pilot.

  4. Final Answer:

    He wanted to study medicine, to study engineering, and to become a pilot. → Option C.

  5. Quick Check:

    Parallelism = same grammatical form → (to study, to study, to become) ✅

Quick Variations

1. Use consistent verb forms in lists (e.g., “running, jumping, swimming”).

2. Maintain parallelism in comparisons (e.g., “better to give than to receive”).

3. Avoid mixing infinitives and gerunds within the same structure.

Trick to Always Use

  • Step 1: Identify the elements being compared or listed.
  • Step 2: Ensure each follows the same grammatical form (noun-noun, verb-verb, adjective-adjective).
  • Step 3: Read aloud - if it sounds unbalanced, check for structural mismatch.

Summary

Summary

  • Parallelism keeps similar ideas in matching grammatical forms.
  • Use consistent patterns (e.g., all infinitives, all -ing forms, or all adjectives).
  • Improves readability, rhythm, and clarity of expression.

Practice

(1/5)
1. Identify the part with incorrect parallel structure: 'He likes to jog, swim, and going to the gym.'
easy
A. to jog
B. swim
C. going to the gym
D. No error

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the list elements.

    The sentence lists three activities after 'likes'.

  2. Step 2: Apply the parallelism rule.

    All items should use the same grammatical form (all infinitives or all gerunds).

  3. Step 3: Spot the mismatch.

    'to jog' (infinitive) and 'swim' (bare verb/infinitive sense) are not the same form as 'going to the gym' (gerund phrase) → inconsistent.

  4. Final Answer:

    going to the gym → Option C.

  5. Quick Check:

    Make all items the same: 'to jog, to swim, and to go to the gym' or 'jogging, swimming, and going to the gym' ✅
Hint: Make list items the same form (all -ing or all 'to' + verb).
Common Mistakes: Mixing infinitives and gerunds in the same list.
2. Choose the sentence that shows correct parallelism.
easy
A. She enjoys reading, writing, and painting.
B. She enjoys to read, writing, and to paint.
C. She enjoys reading, to write, and painting.
D. She enjoys to read, write, and painting.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Spot the list

    The sentence lists three activities that must use the same grammatical form.

  2. Step 2: Choose one form and use it consistently

    Option A uses all gerunds (-ing): reading, writing, painting - this is parallel.

  3. Step 3: Verify

    Other options mix infinitives and gerunds, breaking parallel structure.

  4. Final Answer:

    She enjoys reading, writing, and painting. → Option A.

  5. Quick Check:

    All list items share the same form (all -ing) - parallel ✅
Hint: Use all -ing or all ‘to + verb’ forms in a list - don’t mix.
Common Mistakes: Mixing infinitives and gerunds in the same list.
3. Identify the part with incorrect parallelism: 'He likes reading, to write, and drawing.'
medium
A. reading
B. to write
C. drawing
D. No error

Solution

  1. Step 1: List the items after the verb 'likes'.

    We have 'reading', 'to write', and 'drawing'.

  2. Step 2: Check for consistent form.

    'reading' and 'drawing' are gerunds (-ing), but 'to write' is an infinitive → mismatch.

  3. Step 3: Identify incorrect part.

    'to write' breaks the parallel pattern and should be 'writing' to match the others.

  4. Final Answer:

    to write → Option B.

  5. Quick Check:

    Make all -ing: 'reading, writing, and drawing' ✅
Hint: If two items are -ing, convert the third to -ing too.
Common Mistakes: Assuming mixed forms are acceptable in lists.
4. Find the sentence that follows parallel structure in comparison.
medium
A. It is easier to start than to finish a task.
B. It is easier to start than finishing a task.
C. It is easier starting than to finish a task.
D. It is easy to start rather than finishing a task.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the comparison

    'Than' compares two actions - both sides must use the same grammatical form.

  2. Step 2: Match forms across the comparison

    Option A uses infinitives on both sides: to start and to finish, so it is parallel.

  3. Step 3: Verify

    Other choices mix -ing forms and infinitives, which breaks the parallel structure in comparison.

  4. Final Answer:

    It is easier to start than to finish a task. → Option A.

  5. Quick Check:

    On both sides of 'than' use the same verb form (both ‘to + verb’ or both ‘-ing’) - parallel ✅
Hint: Keep the same verb form on both sides of comparisons (than/as).
Common Mistakes: Mixing infinitives and gerunds in comparative structures.
5. Select the sentence that maintains parallel structure in a list of expectations.
medium
A. The manager expects employees to be punctual, to work efficiently, and cooperation.
B. The manager expects employees being punctual, efficient, and cooperative.
C. The manager expects employees to be punctual, efficient, and cooperating.
D. The manager expects employees to be punctual, efficient, and cooperative.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the main verb phrase

    The phrase expects employees to be is followed by qualities - keep those qualities in the same form.

  2. Step 2: Use the same grammatical form for each item

    Option D uses three adjectives (punctual, efficient, cooperative) that match the structure 'to be + adjective'.

  3. Step 3: Verify

    Other options mix nouns, gerunds, or incomplete forms, breaking parallel structure.

  4. Final Answer:

    The manager expects employees to be punctual, efficient, and cooperative. → Option D.

  5. Quick Check:

    After 'to be' list adjectives (not verbs or nouns) - parallel ✅
Hint: After 'to be', list adjectives (punctual, efficient, cooperative) - keep form consistent.
Common Mistakes: Mixing adjectives with verbs/nouns in the same list.

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