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Parallelism (Structural Consistency)

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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: Parallelism (Structural Consistency)

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

  • 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 correct connector to maintain parallel structure: 'Either he will start the project ___ he will delay it.'
easy
A. or
B. nor
C. and
D. but

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the correlative pair.

    The sentence uses 'Either ... ___' which requires a parallel correlative partner.

  2. Step 2: Apply the parallelism/correlative rule.

    'Either' pairs with 'or' to present two alternatives.

  3. Step 3: Choose the correct connector.

    The correct pair is 'Either ... or' → 'Either he will start the project or he will delay it.'

  4. Final Answer:

    or → Option A.

  5. Quick Check:

    'Either ... or' (alternatives) ✅
Hint: Pair correlative conjunctions correctly: either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also.
Common Mistakes: Using the wrong partner (e.g., 'either ... and' or 'neither ... or').
3. Identify the sentence that maintains correct structural consistency.
easy
A. She is talented, hardworking, and has creativity.
B. She is talented, hardworking, and creative.
C. She is talent, hardworking, and creative.
D. She is talented, works hard, and creative.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the descriptors

    The words describe the same subject (she) and must be in the same grammatical form.

  2. Step 2: Use the same form for each descriptor

    Option B uses three adjectives (talented, hardworking, creative), so it is parallel and correct.

  3. Step 3: Verify

    Other options mix nouns/verbs with adjectives, breaking parallelism.

  4. Final Answer:

    She is talented, hardworking, and creative. → Option B.

  5. Quick Check:

    All items describing the subject are adjectives - parallel ✅
Hint: Keep descriptors in the same grammatical category (adjective/adverb/noun).
Common Mistakes: Mixing verbs or noun phrases with adjectives.
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.