English Grammar for the Utterly Confused - Laurie Rozakis 2003
Parallel Structure
Chapter 9 Sentence Coordination and Subordination
Part 3 Sentence Sense
In 1946, Winston Churchill traveled to Fulton, Missouri, to deliver a speech and to be present at the dedication of a bust in his honor. After his speech, an attractive and ample woman approached the wartime prime minister of England and said, “Mr. Churchill, I have traveled over a hundred miles for the unveiling of your bust.” Churchill, who was known far and wide for his quick wit, responded, “I assure you, in that regard, I would gladly return the favor.”
Parallel structure means putting ideas of the same rank in the same grammatical structure. In the above anecdote, the italicized words and phrases show parallel structure. Your writing and speech should have parallel words, phrases, and clauses. Parallel structure gives your writing many admirable strengths, including tempo, stress, balance, and conciseness.
1. Parallel words share the same part of speech (such as nouns, adjectives, or verbs) and tense (if the words are verbs).
To some people, traveling by air is safe, inexpensive, and convenient.
To others, it’s dangerous, expensive, and inconvenient.
You should eat foods that are nourishing as well as tasty.
2. Parallel phrases contain modifiers.
Polyester shirts wash easily, drip-dry quickly, and wear durably.
Nick took the new job to learn more about finance, make important connections, and get a health plan.
“For taking away our Charters, abolishing our laws, and altering the Forms of our Government ...” (Declaration of Independence)
3. Parallel clauses can be complete sentences or dependent clauses.
I came, I saw, I conquered.
“Our chiefs are killed; Looking-Glass is dead; Ta-Hool-Shute is dead.” (Chief Joseph’s surrender speech, 1877)
