Parallel Structure

Parallel Structure (Parallelism) is the repetition of the same pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage. It shows that two or more ideas are of equal importance.

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Rules #3: Make separate ideas look IDENTICAL by using the same wording. Try and use the same amount of words for each idea. Bad Parallel Structure: Having nice friends is better than having friends who are rich.

Good Parallel Structure: Having nice friends is better than having rich friends.

Rule #4: Always keep the same verb tense - don't let your ideas switch between the past, present and future. Bad Parallel Structure: He walked to school, ran home, and was skipping to his friend's house.

Good Parallel Structure: He was walking to school, running home and skipping to his friend's house. -OR- He walked to school, ran home, and skipped to his friend's house.

Rule #1: Don't explain one idea unless you're going to explain all of the ideas. Bad Parallel Structure: My favorite characters are Pooh, Eeyore, and a tiger named Tigger.

Good Parallel Structure: My favorite characters are Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger. -OR- My favorite characters are a bear names pooh, a mule named Eeyore and a tiger named Tigger.

Rule #2: Begin each idea with the same kind of word. Bad Parallel Structure: Stanley likes to hunt, fish, and to drive.

Good Parallel Structure: Stanley likes to hunt, to fish, and to drive. -OR- Stanley likes to hunt, fish, and drive.