English as an Additional Language: Parallel Constructions

Your ideas must be presented in parallel grammatical form, which means that each part of a sentence uses the same grammatical structure. Parallel structures use similar, well-balanced grammatical elements​.

Information in parallel with each other communicates that this information is of equal importance​ and adds to a clear delivery of your ideas.

Parallelism enhances:

1. Clarity and Readability
2. Emphasis and Impact
3. Rhythm and Flow
4. Balance and Cohesion

Be sure to use parallel structures:

• When listing or naming items, present items in a similar pattern​
  • Today I washed, waxed, and vacuumed the car.​

• If using more than one clause, keep same voice and type of introduction​
  • E.g. I was worried that he would drive too fast, that the road would be too slippery, and that the police would stop the car. ​
• Order items in a series by chronology or degree of importance​
  • E.g. Misuse of the drug can result in fever, dizziness, or death.​
• Use prepositions consistently and correctly​
  • E.g. The invading insects are on the living room floor, on the dining room table, and in the sink.​
  • E.g. Let’s schedule meetings on November 20, December 13, and January 7.
• Common paired (or correlative) conjunctions used in parallel construction include:​
  • Both/and​
  • Either/or​
  • Neither/nor​
  • Not only/but also​
• Each conjunction should be followed by the same grammatical form and/or tense. You may need to:
  • Change vocabulary (e.g., noun to verb)​
  • Insert new words (e.g., an article)​
  • Change punctuation (e.g., include a comma)​
  • Make structural changes (e.g., reverse order of items)