English Toolkit for Thorildsplans Gymnasium

Parallel structure

Give related ideas matching grammatical patterns so the reader can follow how they fit together.

What does “parallel” mean in a sentence?

When you join ideas that do the same job in a sentence, give them a matching form. The items might be things, descriptions, actions, or whole clauses. A consistent pattern helps the reader see that the ideas belong together.

Parallel: Ella enjoys drawing, reading, and cooking.

drawing-ing form
reading-ing form
cooking-ing form

Each item names an activity that Ella enjoys. All three follow the same pattern.

Broken pattern

Ella enjoys drawing, reading, and to cook.

To cook switches to an infinitive. Change it to cooking to match the other two items.

What can match?

Noun phrases: We need a clear question, reliable evidence, and a reasonable conclusion.

Each item names something we need.

Descriptions: The instructions are clear, brief, and easy to follow.

The descriptions have different lengths, but all describe the instructions after are.

Actions: Amir opened the document, checked the title, and saved a copy.

The past-tense verbs share the subject Amir.

Clauses: The guide explains what the task involves, why it matters, and how students can prepare.

Each item is a clause explaining part of the task. Their opening words can differ.

Matching structure does not mean identical words or equal length. Compare the grammatical job of the items you are joining. You can use varied language while keeping that pattern clear.

Try it: check the pattern

Decide whether the joined items follow a parallel pattern.

1. Mina enjoys cycling, swimming, and to dance.

2. The course develops confidence, independent thinking, and how to write clearly.

3. Before class, Leo checked his notes, charged his laptop, and packed his bag.

4. We could meet at the library, in the café, or outside the station.

5. She wants to read more widely, practise regularly, and improve her vocabulary.

6. The speaker was calm, well prepared, and spoke with confidence.

How to repair a broken pattern

Find the connected items and read each one after the shared beginning. Then decide which pattern you want the sentence to use.

Original sentence

During revision, we practised planning paragraphs, choosing evidence, and we explained quotations.

The first two items are -ing phrases after practised. The last item changes to a clause with its own subject, we.

Repair 1: match the final item

During revision, we practised planning paragraphs, choosing evidence, and explaining quotations.

All three activities now follow practised.

Repair 2: rebuild the list as actions

During revision, we planned paragraphs, chose evidence, and explained quotations.

All three past-tense verbs now share we. This version describes what we did, with less emphasis on practising.

A word can be shared across the list

We hope to learn more, ask better questions, and write clearly.

We hope to learn more, to ask better questions, and to write clearly.

Both versions are parallel. In the first, to applies to all three verbs. In the second, it is repeated before each one.

Keep the meaning as well as the form

A repair should preserve the idea you want to express. Sometimes changing one phrase is enough. Sometimes rewriting the whole list produces a clearer sentence.

Parallel structure concerns connected items. You do not have to make every verb in a sentence use the same tense. In “She explained what happened yesterday and what might happen tomorrow,” the two clauses match even though they refer to different times.

Try it: complete the pattern

Choose the phrase that matches the structure of the other items. Focus on parallel form, rather than just whether the meaning is understandable.

1. The workshop includes planning an argument, selecting evidence, and ___.

2. A useful source should be relevant, reliable, and ___.

3. In her conclusion, Sara summarised the findings, explained their significance, and ___.

4. The student council wants to improve the study areas, to extend library hours, and ___.

5. The report explains what the survey measured, how the data were collected, and ___.

6. The volunteers worked in the entrance hall, beside the stage, and ___.

Paired expressions need matching parts

Expressions such as both … and, either … or, neither … nor, and not only … but also connect two related ideas. Check what comes immediately after each part.

The task requires both careful reading and clear writing.

careful readingnoun phrase after “both”
clear writingnoun phrase after “and”

You can either work alone or join a partner.

Both parts are verb phrases following the shared can.

Original sentence

The club offers not only weekly workshops but also you can get individual feedback.

The first part names something the club offers. The second switches to a complete clause.

Repair

The club offers not only weekly workshops but also individual feedback.

Both noun phrases now follow offers.

Try it: check paired expressions

Choose the revision that puts matching structures after both parts of the paired expression.

1. Revise: You can either taking the bus or walk to school.

2. Revise: The project requires both patience and to plan carefully.

3. Revise: The course helps students not only to read critically but also writing clearly.

4. Revise: The proposal is neither affordable nor it is practical.

A quick check for your own writing

  1. Find the ideas joined by and, or, or a paired expression.
  2. Read each item with the words it shares. Does each one fit?
  3. Compare their grammatical jobs. Are you joining things with things, actions with actions, or clauses with clauses?
  4. Adjust the form or rewrite the list, then check that the meaning is still right.
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