Items or Ideas Expressed in Parallel Grammatical Format 

By: Sonya Begum

Lizna Rahman

Zakarin Matin

What is Parallel Grammatical Format? Parallel structures are used to show that sentences or

different parts of sentences are similar in context and function.

When correctly used, parallel structure helps the reader recognize which ideas are related and which are not.

Because we are taught to vary our sentence length and structure, it is a common misconception that we have to do this all the time. When repeating an idea for emphasis, length and structure should vary but aside from that, similar expressions should be in parallel form.

How to use parallel structures?

A sentence is expressed in parallel format when each related item or

idea follows the same grammatical pattern.

Examples 1 Incorrect Sentence:

Ann likes to dance, go fishing, and play soccer

Correct Sentence: Ann likes to dance, to

fish, and to play soccer

Ann likes to dance, fish, and play soccer

Ann like dancing, fishing, and playing soccer.

Another example of parallel grammatical

format is when you are listing things.

Always use parallel structure when using a list.

Example 2 Incorrect:

The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs

Correct: The dictionary can be

used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs.

TensesInconsistent tense breaks the

parallelism

Example 3 Incorrect

It was both a long ceremony and very tedious.

A time not for words, but action

Either you must grant his request or incur his ill will.

After work I clean the house, cooked dinner, and go to bed

Correct

The ceremony was both long and tedious.

A time not for words, but for action

You must either grant his request or incur his ill will.

After work I clean the house, cook dinner, and go to bed

Work Cited "Purdue OWL: Parallel Structure." Welcome to

the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL). Dana Lynn Driscoll, 17 Apr. 2010. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/623/01/>.

Strunk, William, and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. New York: Macmillan, 1979. Print.