Parallelism: overview

The principle of parallel structure is to put similar ideas in similar grammatical form.

In this example, note the careful repetition of phrasing in both the subject and the predicate:

Example sentence: The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent vice of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Explanation: Subject of first clause:

Parallel structures emphasize balance. You can balance ideas in pairs, in series, or in lists.

Single words should be balanced with single words, phrases with phrases, clauses with clauses.

Heading: Parallel words. Example sentence: A kiss can be a comma, a question mark, or an exclamation point.

Heading: Parallel phrases. Example sentence: This novel is not to be tossed lightly aside, but to be hurled there with great force.

Heading: Parallel introductory phrases and main clauses. Correct example sentence: In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current.

Exercise: Identifying parallel structure

Exercise: Parallelism 1

Exercise: Parallelism 2

Exercise: Parallelism 3

Exercise: Parallelism 4

subject Grammatically, a word or word group that names who or what a sentence is about.

predicate A verb and its objects, complements, and modifiers.