How do you explain parallel structure to a student?

Parallel structure can be explained as making the parts of a sentence match. When items are in a list or comparison, they should use the same kind of word or phrase, such as all ing verbs or all to verbs, so the sentence sounds smooth and clear.

Why is parallel structure important in writing?

Parallel structure makes writing easier to read and understand. It helps readers see which ideas belong together and gives sentences a balanced, polished sound, which is especially helpful in essays, speeches, and test responses.

How can I help my child check for parallel structure?

You can have your child underline each item in a list or each part of a comparison, then say the pattern out loud. If the forms do not match, such as to run, swimming, and to jump, guide your child to choose one pattern and revise all items to follow it.

Is parallel structure only for lists?

Parallel structure is common in lists, but it also appears in paired ideas, comparisons, and repeated sentence patterns in paragraphs. Any time a writer repeats a pattern on purpose, they are using parallel structure to organize and emphasize ideas.

What Is Parallel Structure? Definition and Examples

Kid-friendly explanation

Parallel structure is like making sure all the players on a team wear the same uniform. In a sentence, it means matching the way words are built when you list them. If one word is an action ending in "ing," the others should match. This helps your writing sound smooth and strong!

Worked examples of parallel structure

Example 1 (middle school level):

Not parallel: "My hobbies are reading, to draw, and playing games."

In this sentence, the list uses three different forms: "reading" (a word ending in "ing"), "to draw" (an infinitive, which is "to" plus a verb), and "playing" (another "ing" word). The forms do not match, so the structure is not parallel.

Parallel fix: "My hobbies are reading, drawing, and playing games."

Now each item in the list is an "ing" word, so the sentence has parallel structure.

Example 2 (high school level):

Not parallel: "The coach said that we should practice every day, that we should eat healthy, and to get enough sleep."

The first two items start with "that we should," but the last item switches to "to get," which breaks the pattern.

Parallel fix, option 1: "The coach said that we should practice every day, that we should eat healthy, and that we should get enough sleep."

Parallel fix, option 2: "The coach said to practice every day, to eat healthy, and to get enough sleep."

In both corrected versions, each item in the series follows the same grammatical pattern, so the sentence uses parallel structure.

How parallel structure helps older students

Parallel structure becomes more important as writing tasks get longer and more formal, such as essays, speeches, and research papers. It helps organize complex ideas into clear, balanced sentences that are easier for a reader to follow.

Writers also use parallel structure for emphasis and style, especially in persuasive writing and speeches. Matching patterns can make a point sound more memorable, such as "We came, we saw, we learned."

Parallel structure often appears with lists, comparisons, and paired words. It is especially important when using a correlative conjunction such as "either/or" or "not only/but also," because the parts on each side of the pair should match in structure.

Common mistakes with parallel structure

Mixing verb forms in a list. Mistake: "She likes to swim, running, and to hike." This list mixes "to" verbs and "ing" verbs. Correction: choose one pattern, such as "She likes swimming, running, and hiking" or "She likes to swim, to run, and to hike."
Breaking the pattern after a correlative conjunction. Mistake: "He is not only smart but also works hard." "Smart" is an adjective, but "works hard" is a verb phrase. Correction: match the forms, such as "He is not only smart but also hardworking" or "He not only is smart but also works hard."
Changing structure in comparisons. Mistake: "Doing homework is harder than to study for tests." The first part uses an "ing" word, and the second uses "to" plus a verb. Correction: "Doing homework is harder than studying for tests" or "To do homework is harder than to study for tests."

Where kids see parallel structure in everyday life

Parallel structure shows up in slogans, songs, and speeches your child may already know. Phrases like "of the people, by the people, for the people" or "buy it, love it, share it" use matching patterns to sound catchy and powerful. Once your child starts looking, they will notice parallel structure in ads, social media captions, and school announcements.

Explore reading and language arts practice on Learning Hub

Create a free account to explore free K-12 reading and language arts practice with your child on Learning Hub.

What is parallel structure?