Okay, let's talk about parallelism. You've probably heard the term thrown around in English class or maybe spotted it in a grammar guide and thought, "That sounds fancy... and maybe a bit confusing." Honestly? It doesn't have to be. At its core, parallelism is just about making things match. Think of it like tidying up a messy room – you put similar things together so it looks clean and works better. That’s what parallelism does for your sentences. It makes your writing smoother, clearer, and way more powerful. Forget the textbook jargon for a minute. I messed this up constantly in my early freelance writing days – clients would subtly point out 'awkward phrasing' and it was almost always a parallelism fail. Let's break it down with real, tangible examples of parallelism that show you exactly how it works and why you should care, especially if you write anything online.
No Jargon, Just Clarity: What Parallelism Actually Means
Imagine you're listing ingredients for a recipe. You wouldn't write: "You need flour, to pour some milk, and chopping onions." That feels off, right? Your brain trips over it. Instead, you'd naturally say: "You need flour, milk, and onions." Or "You need to measure the flour, pour the milk, and chop the onions." That matching structure – all nouns, or all verbs starting with 'to', or all verbs ending in -ing – that's parallelism in action. It’s grammatical balance. It’s about using the same grammatical form for elements that are doing the same kind of job in a sentence. When it's missing, your writing feels clunky. When it's there, it flows. Simple as that. Finding good examples of parallelism is the quickest way to grasp it.
The Core Rule You Need to Remember (Seriously, This is It)
Elements linked by coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) or in a list or comparison NEED to be in the same grammatical form. That’s the golden rule. Break it, and your sentence stumbles.
Think of it like train cars. They need compatible couplers to link smoothly. A boxcar (noun) won't link cleanly to a flatbed carrying a verb phrase. They need to be the same type.
Parallelism in Action: Breaking Down the Levels
Parallelism isn't just one thing. It works at different levels in your sentences:
Single Words Level: Keeping It Simple
The most basic place to start. Are the linked elements all single words of the same type?
| Non-Parallel (Awkward) | Parallel (Smooth) | Why it Works |
|---|---|---|
| She is intelligent, caring, and has a lot of humor. | She is intelligent, caring, and humorous. | All adjectives describing 'She'. |
| We need to review the data, discussing the findings, and then implement changes. | We need to review the data, discuss the findings, and implement changes. | All base form verbs following 'to'. |
| The project was long, expensive, and a drain on morale. | The project was long, expensive, and demoralizing. | All adjectives describing 'the project'. (OR: ...long, expensive, and a drain on morale. This keeps 'a drain...' as a noun phrase matching the implied noun structure). |
See how the parallel versions just feel easier to read? That's the rhythm kicking in. Providing clear examples of parallelism makes the concept click instantly.
I recall writing a resume bullet point like the first 'awkward' example years ago: "Managed team projects, client communication excellence, and developed new strategies." Yikes. A hiring manager friend circled it and wrote "Parallelism??" in red pen. Lesson painfully learned!
Phrases Level: Building Blocks in Harmony
Parallelism becomes even more crucial when you're linking phrases. These are bigger chunks, so imbalance is easier to spot and more grating.
| Non-Parallel (Trip Hazard) | Parallel (Clear Path) | Structure Matched |
|---|---|---|
| He enjoys hiking in the mountains, swimming at the lake, and to ride his bike. | He enjoys hiking in the mountains, swimming at the lake, and riding his bike. | All gerund (-ing) phrases. |
| The instructions explained how to assemble the parts and troubleshooting common issues. | The instructions explained how to assemble the parts and how to troubleshoot common issues. | Both 'how to + verb' infinitive phrases. |
| Success requires hard work, dedication to the goal, and being willing to adapt. | Success requires hard work, dedication, and adaptability. OR Success requires working hard, dedicating yourself to the goal, and being willing to adapt. |
Top: All nouns. Bottom: All gerund (-ing) phrases. |
This level trips up a lot of people, even seasoned writers. That last example especially – mixing nouns and a phrase starting with 'being' is super common. The fix isn't always obvious, which is why seeing diverse examples of parallelism helps so much.
Clauses Level: The Big Leagues
When you link whole clauses (groups of words with a subject and verb), parallelism ensures they have comparable weight and structure. This is gold for persuasive writing and speeches.
| Non-Parallel (Power Drain) | Parallel (Punchy & Memorable) | Structure Matched |
|---|---|---|
| The speaker argued that taxes were too high and the government should spend less. | The speaker argued that taxes were too high and that government spending should be reduced. OR The speaker argued for lower taxes and for reduced government spending. |
Top: Both 'that + subject + verb' clauses. Bottom: Both prepositional phrases. |
| If you train hard and by eating properly, you will improve. | If you train hard and eat properly, you will improve. | Both imperative clauses within the 'If...' conditional structure. |
Think famous speeches: "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets..." Churchill nailed it. Powerful examples of parallelism like this stick with you.
Watch Out! Comparisons using 'than' or 'as' absolutely demand parallelism. "She likes coffee more than drinking tea" is unbalanced. Fix it: "She likes coffee more than tea" (nouns) or "She likes coffee more than she likes drinking tea" (clauses).
Why Bother? The Real-World Power of Parallel Structure
So, okay, it makes sentences smoother. Big deal? Actually, yes. Here’s why mastering parallelism isn't just grammar nitpicking:
- Clarity is King (Especially for Google & Readers): Non-parallel structures force the reader to pause and mentally re-organize your meaning. Online readers skim. If they stumble, they leave. Clear, parallel sentences get your point across instantly. Good examples of parallelism directly support comprehension.
- Rhythm & Readability: Parallelism creates a natural rhythm. It makes complex information easier to digest and more pleasant to read. Think of it as the beat in music – it keeps things moving forward predictably.
- Persuasion & Impact: Want to emphasize points? Drive an argument home? Make a list memorable? Parallelism is your secret weapon. It lends weight and authority. Politicians, marketers, and anyone trying to convince you use it constantly (or try to!). Contrasting ideas presented in parallel ("Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more") are devastatingly effective.
- Professionalism: Consistent parallelism signals attention to detail and competence. Sloppy, unbalanced writing makes you look, well, sloppy. In emails, reports, websites – it matters.
I once proofread a competitor's landing page riddled with parallelism errors. It looked unprofessional. Fixing that stuff in my own content? Definitely saw better engagement times. Users might not know *why* it felt smoother, but they felt it.
Beyond the Basics: Tricky Spots & Pro Tips
You've got the core rules. Now let's tackle some areas where parallelism often goes wrong, even for experienced writers. These are the things editors actually look for.
Correlative Conjunctions: The Double Trouble Makers
These pairs (both...and, not only...but also, either...or, neither...nor, whether...or) are parallelism landmines. The grammatical structure following the first part MUST match the structure following the second part.
| Non-Parallel (Broken Link) | Parallel (Fixed Connection) | Trap Avoided |
|---|---|---|
| She is not only talented but also she is very dedicated. | She is not only talented but also dedicated. | After 'not only' (adjective), 'but also' needs adjective, not a new clause. |
| The plan both excited the team and it caused some anxiety. | The plan both excited the team and caused some anxiety. | After 'both' (verb), 'and' needs verb, not a new clause with 'it'. |
| You must decide whether to accept the offer or if you should decline it. | You must decide whether to accept the offer or to decline it. OR You must decide whether you should accept the offer or decline it. |
Both sides need matching structures: 'to + verb' OR 'subject + should + verb'. |
Correlatives are probably the #1 source of parallelism errors I see in otherwise polished writing. Spotting flawed examples of parallelism involving correlatives is key to fixing them.
Lists: The Series Test
Any time you have three or more items in a list (separated by commas, with 'and' or 'or' before the last item), those items MUST be parallel. This applies to bullet points in presentations and websites too!
| Non-Parallel List (Jarring) | Parallel List (Flawless) |
|---|---|
| The renovation project includes: - Knocking down the old shed - To build a new patio - Landscaping the garden |
The renovation project includes: - Knocking down the old shed - Building a new patio - Landscaping the garden OR - The demolition of the old shed - The construction of a new patio - The landscaping of the garden |
Apply this ruthlessly to your website's bullet-pointed features or benefits!
After a Colon: Setting Up Expectations
A colon often announces a list or an explanation. What follows the colon needs to be grammatically compatible with what came before it, especially if it's a list.
| Awkward Colon | Smooth Colon |
|---|---|
| Our priorities are: customer satisfaction, innovating new products, and employee morale. | Our priorities are: customer satisfaction, product innovation, and employee morale. OR Our priorities are: satisfying customers, innovating new products, and boosting employee morale. |
| He had one passion: to travel the world. | (This is fine! It's a single item, not a list needing parallelism) |
Putting It Into Practice: Spot and Fix
Let's get hands-on. Here are some common sentences needing a parallelism tune-up. Try fixing them yourself before checking the answers below. Focus on the conjunctions and lists.
| Original (Needs Fixing) | Fixed (Parallel Perfection) |
|---|---|
| My boss values punctuality, being responsible, and teamwork. | My boss values punctuality, responsibility, and teamwork. OR My boss values being punctual, being responsible, and working as a team. |
| The course teaches you how to write code, debugging techniques, and about software design. | The course teaches you how to write code, how to debug, and how software is designed. OR The course teaches you coding, debugging, and software design. |
| To succeed, you need talent, working hard, and a bit of luck. | To succeed, you need talent, hard work, and a bit of luck. OR To succeed, you need to be talented, to work hard, and to have a bit of luck. |
| She not only passed the exam but also got the highest score. | (This one is actually CORRECT! 'Passed' and 'got' are both past tense verbs) |
Practicing with flawed examples of parallelism is the best way to train your eye and ear.
Why Do We Get Parallelism Wrong? (Frequent Culprits)
Understanding the common pitfalls helps you avoid them:
- Adding Detail Mid-List: You start with simple elements, then tack on a longer, more complex phrase or clause without adjusting the earlier items. "The job requires lifting heavy objects, working weekends, and you must have a valid license." Oops.
- Prioritizing Variety Over Clarity: Trying too hard not to repeat words can lead you into grammatical inconsistency. Using synonyms is good, but not if it breaks the parallel structure.
- Losing Track in Long Sentences: In complex sentences, it's easy to forget what grammatical form you started with by the time you reach the last linked element.
- Misplacing Correlatives: Putting the first part of the correlative conjunction too early or too late in the sentence, making it hard to match the second part correctly. ("She both designed the logo wrote the copy." Needs: "She both designed the logo and wrote the copy.")
Be honest with yourself – which trap do you fall into most?
Parallelism Power-Up: Your Quick-Check Guide
Before you hit publish, run this quick checklist on sentences with lists, and's, or's, but's, or comparisons:
- Identify the Joining Words: Find the 'and', 'or', 'but', 'not only...but also', etc.
- Highlight the Linked Elements: What words or phrases are actually being connected by that joining word?
- Grammar Test: Are the linked elements the SAME type?
- All nouns? (coffee, tea, milk)
- All adjectives? (fast, cheap, reliable)
- All verbs? (run, jump, swim)
- All infinitive phrases? (to run, to jump, to swim)
- All gerund (-ing) phrases? (running, jumping, swimming)
- All clauses starting the same way? (that she ran, that she jumped)
- Listen: Read the sentence aloud. Does it flow smoothly, or does it hit a bump where the structure changes?
This simple process will catch 95% of parallelism errors. Keep practicing with varied examples of parallelism to build intuition.
Parallelism Power: Your Questions Answered (FAQs)
Q: Is parallelism ONLY about lists?
A: No! While lists are a common place it's crucial, parallelism applies anytime you link elements with coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, etc.) or correlative conjunctions (both/and, not only/but also), or in comparisons (as...as, more...than). Anywhere elements are presented as equal partners.
Q: Can I break parallelism for stylistic effect?
A: Technically, yes, but it's risky and requires serious skill. Deliberately breaking parallelism can create surprise or emphasis if done very intentionally. But unless you're a seasoned literary writer aiming for a specific jarring effect, stick to parallel structure for clarity and professionalism. In most web content, business writing, or academic work, avoid intentional breaks. Good examples of parallelism rarely involve intentional breaking.
Q: Does parallelism matter in bullet points on my website?
A: Absolutely, critically yes! Bullet points are essentially lists. Non-parallel bullet points look messy, feel unprofessional, and undermine your credibility. Ensure each bullet starts with the same part of speech (usually a verb or a noun phrase) and follows a consistent grammatical pattern. This is HUGE for SEO landing pages and product descriptions. Users scan bullets for key info – inconsistency slows them down.
Q: How do I fix parallelism errors in long, complex sentences?
A: Break it down! Isolate the linked elements. Often, the easiest fix is to simplify – shorten phrases or split one complex sentence into two shorter, clearer sentences using parallel structure within each. Don't force unnatural contortions just to make a single sentence parallel if it becomes awkward.
Q: Are there tools that reliably catch parallelism errors?
A: Grammar checkers (Grammarly, ProWritingAid, even Word) are getting better at flagging some parallelism issues, especially with correlatives and simple lists. But they are far from perfect. They miss many subtle ones or sometimes flag correct structures. Your best tools are:
- Your ear (read aloud!)
- The checklist above
- Understanding the core principle (match the grammar!)
Q: Why do I see non-parallel structures sometimes in published writing?
A: A few reasons:
- Oversight: Even great editors miss things, especially in fast-paced digital publishing.
- Informal Tone: Highly conversational writing (like this blog!) might occasionally bend the rule slightly for a natural flow, though clarity should still be paramount.
- Dialogue: Fiction uses non-parallel speech to reflect how people actually talk.
- Stylistic Choice (Rare): As mentioned earlier, used deliberately for effect by skilled writers.
Look, mastering parallelism isn't about becoming a grammar robot. It's about communicating your ideas as clearly and powerfully as possible. When your sentences flow smoothly, readers grasp your point faster, trust your message more, and stick around longer. That's what Google rewards – content that actually solves the user's problem effectively. The best examples of parallelism are the ones you don't even notice because they just work. They make the reading experience effortless. That's the goal. Start paying attention to it in what you read – you'll spot it (or its absence) everywhere now. And next time you write that list of bullet points or craft a key sentence, take two seconds to check: are these parts truly parallel? Your readers (and maybe your Google ranking) will thank you.
Honestly, fixing this in my own writing was a game-changer. It felt less like fixing mistakes and more like polishing rough edges until everything just clicked. Give it a try.