WRiting Across the curriculum

Parallel Structure

Sentence elements that are alike in function should also be alike in construction. These elements should be in the same grammatical form.

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Use parallel structure with elements joined by coordinating conjunctions.

Non-parallel: The Writing Center and what its strategies for academic writing help many students.

Parallel: The Writing Center and its strategies for academic writing help many students.

Use parallel structures in a lists or in a series

Not parallel: Students play many sports on campus, like football, basketball, and playing soccer.

Parallel: Students play many sports on campus, like football, basketball, and soccer.

Use parallel structures when elements are being compared.

Non parallel: I like swimming better than to go running.

Parallel: I like swimming better than running.

Use parallel structure with elements joined by a linking verb or a verb of being

Non-parallel: Reading daily is helpful to write.

Parallel: Reading daily is helpful with writing.

Use parallel structure with elements joined by a correlative conjunction

Non-parallel: Karen not only wants to go to Hawaii, but also Australia.

Parallel: Karen wants not only to go to Hawaii, but also Australia.

Parallel: Karen wants to only to go to Hawaii, but also to go to Hawaii.