Parallelism

Parallelism, (parallel structure or parallel construction), is a grammatical concept that enhances clarity and rhythm in writing. At its core, parallelism means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This principle helps writers maintain consistency and balance in their sentences.

One of the biggest changes a writer can make during a self-edit is to fix parallelism mistakes. Unfortunately, grammar/spellcheckers don't always point out this type of issue, so you'll have to be on the lookout!

Why Parallelism Matters
Parallelism improves readability. It allows readers to more easily follow the structure of your sentence and understand the relationships between ideas. Without parallelism, writing can feel awkward or disjointed, even if the grammar is technically correct.

Basic Examples
A sentence is parallel when elements in a series or list follow the same grammatical form. Here’s a simple example:

Funky: She likes dancing, to swim, and biking.
Parallel: She likes dancing, swimming, and biking.

In the corrected version, all elements are gerunds (verbs ending in -ing). This uniformity helps the sentence flow more naturally.

Coordinating Conjunctions
Parallel structure is especially important when using coordinating conjunctions like and, but, or, nor.

Funky: The manager wanted to improve productivity and that employees would feel more engaged.
Parallel: The manager wanted to improve productivity and to increase employee engagement.

By repeating the “to + verb” structure (to improve / to increase), the sentence becomes clearer and more professional.

Comparisons
Comparisons using words like than or as should also maintain parallel structure:

Funky: Reading is more relaxing than to go jogging.
Parallel: Reading is more relaxing than jogging.

This ensures that both elements being compared are grammatically similar, improving comprehension.

Lists and Bullet Points
When writing lists—especially in business documents, resumes, or presentations—parallelism is critical:

Funky:

• Conducted weekly meetings
• Responsible for budget
• Analyzing performance data

Parallel:

• Conducted weekly meetings
• Managed the budget
• Analyzed performance data
  
  

Each bullet begins with a past-tense verb, keeping the format consistent and professional.

Common Pitfall
One common mistake is mixing nouns and verbs in a list or changing verb tenses mid-sentence. For instance:

Funky: The goals of the project include increasing outreach, better communication, and to lower costs.
Parallel: The goals of the project include increasing outreach, improving communication, and lowering costs.

Mastering parallelism is a small but powerful way to improve your writing. It brings a sense of order and balance to your sentences, making them more persuasive and easier to read. Whether you’re writing an essay, a book, or a marketing pitch, paying attention to parallel structure will help your message come across clearly and effectively.