Handbook Index

Writing Tip: Parallel Structure

It is very important to keep elements in a sentence parallel. Look at the following sentences.

  1. The nightclub was noisy, crowded, and it cost a lot to get in.
  2. I like to jog, swim, and hiking.
  3. Getting a good job requires persistence, patience, and it helps to be dedicated.

Each of these sentences contains faulty parallelism. Now look at the corrected sentences below.

  1. The nightclub was noisy, crowded, and expensive.
  2. I like to jog, swim, and hike.
  3. Getting a good job requires persistence, patience, and dedication.

Notice how in the corrected sentences each element in the series is the same part of speech: adjectives in sentence 1, infinitive verbs in sentence 2, and nouns in sentence 3. Observing parallel structure will add clarity to your writing.