Essential Grammar: Parallel Structure

To help your writing flow smoothly and make sense, use the same format for items you present in a series.  Sentences and lists are awkward when they contain a series of items with inconsistent grammatical structure. But as your reader scans through a series of items with parallel grammatical structure, the relationships between different items of information become clear. Here’s an example:

NOT PARALLEL:
At the February meeting we will hold a discussion of the new health plan, whether to revise the procedures manual, and then a draft will be developed of the early retirement policy.

 

PARALLEL:
At the February meeting, we will discuss the new health plan, decide whether to revise the procedures manual, and draft an early retirement policy.

 

In the first example, it’s hard to follow the mix of verb tenses.  In the second example, the parallel verb tenses save space and help guide the reader smoothly through the plans for the February meeting. Consistent grammar helps the reader grasp the parallel ideas immediately.

Want to practice? Write down which structures in these sentences either are parallel, or should be parallel. If necessary, rewrite the sentences.

  1. Rita’s responsibilities include sorting the mail, answering the phone, and to run errands.
  2. We have asked managers to reduce travel budgets by 20 percent and that expense reports should be submitted weekly.

Here are the answers. The parallel words are underlined:

  1. Rita’s responsibilities include sorting the mail, answering the phone, and running errands.
  2. We have asked managers to reduce travel budgets by 20 percent and to submit expense reports weekly.

The same approach applies to lists, which are much easier to read when their grammar is parallel. For example, if one item begins with a verb, all the items should begin with verbs. If the verb is in the present tense, all the verbs should be in the present tense.

NOT PARALLEL:
The March agenda includes the following goals:

 

  • Discussion of the new health plan
  • Whether to revise the procedures manual
  • The early-retirement policy will change

PARALLEL:
The March agenda includes the following goals:

 

  • Discussing the new health plan
  • Deciding whether to revise the procedures manual
  • Revising the early-retirement policy

It’s hard to follow the different parts of speech in the first list. It’s much easier to follow the second list because all items start with parallel -ing verbs.

Parallel structure can help you organize your thoughts, make your writing flow smoothly, and make your meaning immediately clear.

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