Parallel structures can help you pair two ideas effectively. The more nearly parallel the two structures are, the stronger the connection between the ideas will be.

History became popular, and historians became alarmed.

– Will Durant

I type in one place, but I write all over the house.

– Toni Morrison

In these examples, the parallel structures help readers see an important contrast between two ideas or acts.

With coordinating conjunctions

When you link ideas with a coordinating conjunction—and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet—try to make the ideas parallel in structure.

In both sentences, the editing links the two ideas by making them parallel.

With correlative conjunctions

Use the same structure after both parts of a correlative conjunction: either…or, both…and, neither…nor, not…but, not only…but also, just as…so, and whether…or.

Balancing to go with to live links the two ideas and makes the sentence easier to read.