How to Write in Parallel Sentence Structure

Recognizing Unparallel Verb Phrases in Academic & Formal Papers

Sep 8, 2009

When editing a paper or essay, be sure to check for parallel sentence structure by reading each segment individually with the sentence to see if it makes sense.

Most people recognize when something is not written in parallel structure because it does not make sense or sound right. Ensuring parallel sentence structure is used is most important in business documents, legal statements, academic papers and formal writing, but even day-to-day emailing can get confusing if sentences are not written in parallel structure.

What is Parallel Sentence Structure?

Tom drove to the store and bought eggs, milk, picked up the paper, and cashed a check.

What is wrong in the above sentence? The word bought introduces a list. What did Tom buy? eggs and milk. In the middle of the sentence, however, the verbs picked up and cashed interrupt the action bought, creating unparallel sentence structure.

The sentence could be fixed by inserting the word bought before milk or by inserting and between milk and eggs.

Tom drove to the store and bought milk and eggs, picked up the paper, and cashed a check.

Trick for Identifying Problems in Parallel Sentence Structure

A great method for identifying errors in sentence structure is to create a bullet point list of each action or word in the series. Take the above sentence for example:

The first two words work but the second two phrases make no sense with the word bought in front of them. Try using each verb instead.

Other Errors in Parallel Sentence Structure

Parallel sentence structure does not only include verb errors but can also include other parts of speech. In this example, there is an error with the pronouns of the sentence.

In the above example, the word a should either be included before each item or omitted before the word sandwich.

Jennifer wanted to eat a sandwich, watch some TV, and to play outside before bed.

In the above example the infinitive form of each verb is used (to ___) except in the middle phrase (watch). Either to should be left before play and inserted before watch or removed from play altogether.

Edit for Parallel Structure by Reading Segments Individually

It can be easier to spot parallel sentence structure errors in other writing than your own writing, so be sure to read carefully always asking yourself if each item in the list makes sense with the verb beginning the list or if each item either has its own adjective, pronoun or modifier or can fit into the one before the list begins. Try reading each segment of a list with the rest of the sentence to ensure it makes sense.