B2 Grammar Writing

Parallel Structure

Parallel structure means using the same grammatical form for items that play the same role: I like swimming, cycling and running. Balanced lists and pairs read smoothly and sound professional.

Parallel structure, also called parallelism, is the principle that words or phrases in a series should share the same grammatical form. When you list three things, give all three the same shape: three nouns, or three -ing forms, or three infinitives. The sentence She likes reading, writing and to paint sounds wrong because the last item breaks the pattern; the parallel version is reading, writing and painting. Parallelism is one of the clearest signs of polished, B2-to-C1 writing.

Parallel structure matters in three main places: lists joined by and or or, paired (correlative) conjunctions such as not only…but also, and comparisons with than or as. Get the forms matching and your sentences gain rhythm, balance and authority.

Parallelism in Lists

Every item joined by a coordinating conjunction should be the same part of speech or phrase type.

Faulty Parallel
She is smart, kind and works hard. She is smart, kind and hard-working.
We came, we saw and conquering. We came, we saw, we conquered.
The job needs typing, to file and answering. The job needs typing, filing and answering.

Parallelism With Correlative Conjunctions

Paired conjunctions demand that the words after each half match in form.

Pair Parallel example
both … andboth at home and at work
not only … but alsonot only sang but also danced
either … oreither by bus or by train
neither … norneither fast nor cheap

The repetition test: read each item after the conjunction as if it stood alone with the verb. She wants to read and relaxing fails because wants to relaxing is wrong. Fix it to to read and relax or reading and relaxing.

Parallelism in Comparisons

When you compare with than or as…as, both sides should match grammatically:

Why Parallelism Matters

Parallel structure makes ideas easier to process because the reader's mind expects the pattern to continue. It also creates rhetorical power, which is why famous speeches use it: government of the people, by the people, for the people. Three matching phrases land far harder than three mismatched ones.

Common Mistakes

Practice Exercises

Grammar Quiz

Spot the item that breaks the parallel pattern.

Cloze Dropdown

Choose the form that keeps the list parallel.

Complete the Sentence

Add a third item in matching grammatical form.

Matching Pairs

Match faulty lists with their corrected versions.

Unjumble

Reorder words into a balanced parallel list.

Flash Cards

Drill parallel and faulty constructions.

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Explore related grammar topics:

All Grammar Topics Correlative Conjunctions Conjunctions Gerunds & Infinitives Comparatives & Superlatives

Frequently Asked Questions

What is parallel structure?
Parallel structure, or parallelism, is the use of the same grammatical form for items that play the same role in a sentence. In a list, all items should be the same type: I enjoy swimming, cycling and running uses three -ing forms, so it is parallel.
Why is parallel structure important?
Parallelism makes writing clearer and more elegant because the reader expects the pattern to continue. It also adds rhetorical power, which is why speeches use it: of the people, by the people, for the people. Matching forms are easier to read and more persuasive.
What is faulty parallelism?
Faulty parallelism is mixing grammatical forms in a series, such as She likes reading, writing and to paint. The first two items are -ing forms but the third is an infinitive. The corrected version is reading, writing and painting.
How do correlative conjunctions affect parallelism?
Paired conjunctions like not only…but also and either…or require matching forms after each half: She not only sang but also danced. Placing the conjunctions before different parts of speech, as in not only she sang but also danced, breaks the parallel.
Does parallelism apply to comparisons?
Yes. Both sides of a comparison with than or as…as should match: Driving is faster than taking the train, not than to take the train. Compare a gerund with a gerund and an infinitive with an infinitive.
How do I check if my sentence is parallel?
Read each item on its own with the shared verb. In She wants to read and relaxing, test wants to relaxing — it is wrong, so the list is not parallel. Fix it to to read and relax. If every item fits the same frame, the sentence is parallel.
Do I need to repeat words to keep parallelism?
Sometimes. Repeating to, an article or a preposition can keep items balanced and clear: I want to read, to write and to learn or in the morning and in the evening. Repeat the word when leaving it out would cause confusion or break the pattern.
Is parallelism the same as a parallel structure in lists with bullets?
Yes. Bulleted and numbered lists should also be parallel: start every bullet with the same form, such as all verbs or all noun phrases. A list that mixes Plan the event with Budgeting breaks parallelism; use Plan and Budget consistently.
Can parallelism use clauses, not just words?
Yes. Whole clauses can be parallel: We learned what to say, when to say it and how to say it. Three matching question word + infinitive structures keep the clauses balanced. Parallelism works at the level of words, phrases or full clauses.
What level should learners master parallel structure?
Parallel structure is typically taught at B2 and refined at C1, when learners write longer texts with lists and comparisons. It is especially valued in academic essays, reports and exams like IELTS and TOEFL, where balanced sentences raise the quality of writing.