Grammar
Parallel structure: keep lists and comparisons balanced
A project role may involve planning meetings, writing reports, and speaking to clients. The three activities are easy to scan because they follow the same pattern.
Build clear lists, paired expressions, and comparisons by giving linked ideas the same grammatical form.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
The team hopes to reduce delays, improve access, and train new volunteers. /ðə tiːm həʊps tə rɪˈdjuːs dɪˈleɪz, ɪmˈpruːv ˈækses, ən treɪn njuː ˌvɒlənˈtɪəz/
The short answer
When words or phrases are linked, give them the same grammatical shape. Match noun with noun, verb form with verb form, phrase with phrase, or clause with clause.
The workshop covers negotiating prices, writing proposals, and handling objections.
Why it works: Each item is an -ing phrase, so the list has a consistent shape.
4 more examples
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The team hopes to reduce delays, improve access, and train new volunteers.
The first infinitive marker applies to the three coordinated verbs.
Not this:The team hopes to reduce delays,
improving access, and to train new volunteers. What changes: Improving does not match the infinitive pattern set by to reduce and to train. -
Applicants need both relevant experience and clear written communication.
Both introduces two noun phrases that describe what applicants need.
Not this:Applicants need both relevant experience and
to communicate clearly in writing. What changes: The first half is a noun phrase, while the second is an infinitive phrase. -
The committee agreed that the proposal should be revised and that a second vote should be held.
The committee agreed to two matching that-clauses.
Not this:The committee agreed that the proposal should be revised and
to hold a second vote. What changes: The second idea is understandable, but a matching clause makes the two decisions easier to read as equal points. -
The cost of repairing the bridge is lower than the cost of replacing it.
The comparison puts one cost beside another cost.
Not this:The cost of repairing the bridge is
lower than replacing it. What changes: The shortened comparison can make it seem as if a cost is being compared with an action.
Read the full guide
Look for the words that join or compare ideas: and, or, but, both, either, neither, than, and as. Then identify the form on each side. If one item is a noun phrase and the next is an infinitive or a full clause, revise the sentence until the linked items answer the same grammatical question.
Notice the grammar of linked ideas
Parallel structure begins with a simple question: what form does each linked idea take? A list after a verb may contain noun phrases, -ing phrases, or infinitives. Choose one form and keep it through the list.
The role includes answering enquiries, updating records, and arranging appointments.
All three items are -ing phrases. They name duties in the same way.
Which form changes the pattern: answering enquiries, to update records, or arranging appointments?
To update records changes the pattern. Use updating records to match the other items.
Keep lists in one form
Lists are the most visible place to use parallel structure. If the first item is a noun phrase, make the next items noun phrases. If the first item begins with an -ing verb, use that form for the rest of the list.
The report discusses staffing levels, delivery dates, and customer feedback.
Each item is a noun phrase, so each one answers what the report discusses.
Before the interview, practise introducing yourself, describing your experience, and asking informed questions.
The three -ing phrases name actions to practise.
Balance paired expressions
Paired expressions signal that two ideas have equal weight. For the pairs both ... and, either ... or, and neither ... nor, put matching forms on each side. Keep the paired words close to the material they connect.
You can either send the form today or bring it to the office tomorrow.
Either and or connect two verb phrases: send the form and bring it to the office.
The course teaches accurate grammar and confident editing.
The paired items are noun phrases: accurate grammar and confident editing.
Which version is balanced: both checking the figures and clear notes, or both checking the figures and writing clear notes?
Use both checking the figures and writing clear notes. The two -ing phrases match.
Match clauses when two complete ideas matter
A writer may need to connect two complete ideas rather than two short phrases. Repeating a clause frame can show that the ideas receive equal attention. This is useful in formal explanations, policies, and decisions.
The manager explained that the deadline had moved and that the budget would remain unchanged.
Each item is a that-clause after explained, so the reader can identify two separate points.
The notice says that visitors must sign in and that deliveries must use the rear entrance.
The repeated frame makes the two requirements easy to scan.
Compare like with like
A comparison needs parallel structure as well as a sensible meaning. Ask what is being compared after than or as. If the first item is a cost, rate, number, method, or group, name an equivalent item on the other side when the meaning could otherwise be unclear.
The number of online orders was higher than the number of phone orders.
The sentence compares one number with another number.
Her approach was more practical than the approach suggested in the first meeting.
Approach is compared with approach, which makes the contrast precise.
What should follow The price of the annual pass is lower than ... when you compare two prices?
Use another price phrase, such as the price of two monthly passes.
Edit without adding unnecessary repetition
Parallel structure often needs a small edit, not a longer sentence. A shared word may apply to every item in a list, so you do not need to repeat it. Remove a repeated word only when the remaining items still have the same grammar and the meaning stays clear.
The plan aims to cut waste, improve safety, and increase reliability.
To applies to cut, improve, and increase. Repeating it before every verb would be possible but unnecessary.
The survey asked whether staff needed more training and whether they had enough time to complete the work.
Whether is repeated because each half is a distinct question.
Before you go
Remember this
When ideas are joined, check their form as well as their meaning. Keep list items in the same pattern, balance the two halves of paired expressions, repeat a clause frame when it makes the relationship clearer, and compare equivalent things. Read the sentence aloud: a sudden shift in form often signals a place to revise.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Parallel structure: keep lists and comparisons balanced"
What is parallel structure in English?
Parallel structure gives linked ideas the same grammatical form. In The workshop covers negotiating prices, writing proposals, and handling objections, each item is an -ing phrase, so the list is easy to follow.
The workshop covers negotiating prices, writing proposals, and handling objections.
How do I make a list parallel?
Choose one form for the list and keep it. The report discusses staffing levels, delivery dates, and customer feedback uses three noun phrases. A list can also use three -ing phrases or three infinitives when the sentence calls for those forms.
The workshop covers negotiating prices, to write proposals, and handling objections.
What should follow both and either?
Both ... and and either ... or should connect equivalent grammar. You can either send the form today or bring it to the office tomorrow because the two linked parts are verb phrases. Put the paired words near the phrases they join.
The team hopes to reduce delays, improve access, and train new volunteers.
Do I need to repeat that in two clauses?
You may repeat that when it makes two complete ideas clearer. The manager explained that the deadline had moved and that the budget would remain unchanged gives both points the same clause frame. In shorter sentences, one that can sometimes be enough.
The team hopes to reduce delays, improving access, and to train new volunteers.
Why should comparisons be parallel?
Parallel comparisons show exactly what is being measured on each side. The number of online orders was higher than the number of phone orders compares one number with another number. Matching the terms prevents an awkward or uncertain comparison.
Applicants need both relevant experience and clear written communication.