Ideas that are logically parallel should be structurally parallel; that is, they should be stated in the same grammatical form. Balance noun with noun, adjective with adjective, prepositional phrase with prepositional phrase, infinitive phrase with infinitive phrase, gerund phrase with gerund phrase, dependent clause with dependent clause, independent clause with independent clause, and so on.
Look for conjunctions on which parallel items balance: and, but, or, either—or, neither—nor, both—and, not only—but also, etc. Make the items they join structurally parallel.
That you are a sinner and your need of the Savior are two important truths you must face, (not parallel— the first item is a noun clause and the second is a noun with modifiers.)
That you are a sinner and that you need the Savior are two important truths you must face, (parallel—both elements are noun clauses.)
This ticket permits you to sit either on the main floor or you may sit in the balcony, (not parallel—the first element is a prepositional phrase and the second is an independent clause.)
This ticket permits you to sit either on the main floor or in the balcony. (Parallel—both elements are prepositional phrases.)
► Note. All the items in a series should be parallel even though conjunctions do not appear between each item.
Parallel
Jon likes fishing (gerund) swimming (gerund) hiking (gerund)
Not Parallel
Jon likes fishing (gerund) swimming (gerund) to hike (infinitive)
When checking for parallelism, look at the first word of phrase in each item. If each item begins with the same kind of word or phrase, you can be sure that they are parallel even if the other parts of each item differ.
All the examples below are parallel, even though the items may not be the same length. The first word or phrase in each item is what determines parallelism, not the length of the items.
Children are to honor their parents and to obey them whether or not they understand why they are asked to do something.
Jon fishes for pleasure, swims to stay in condition, and hikes to get away from civilization for a while.
Each member of a correlative conjunction should be placed immediately before a parallel element.
By flying nonstop over the Atlantic Ocean, Lindbergh not only won a $25,000 prize but also the respect and admiration of the world. (faulty—the first member of the correlative conjunction is out of place.)
By flying nonstop over the Atlantic Ocean, Lindbergh won not only a $25,000 prize but also the respect and admiration of the world. (correct)
You can either hang the painting here by the window or there over the piano, (faulty—the first member of the correlative conjunction is out of place.)
You can hang the painting either here by the window or there over the piano, (correct)
Repeat any key word necessary to make the parallelism clear.
Mr. Bean is excellent in welding and supervising the men in his shop. (not clear—Was he excellent in welding the men?)
Mr. Bean is excellent in welding and in supervising the men in his shop. (clear)
Bobby likes to read books which describe auto races and picture the action in his mind. (Confusing— Describe and picture seem to be parallel.)
Bobby likes to read books which describe auto races and to picture the action in his mind. (clear)
Do not use the expressions and who, and whom, or and which unless a parallel who, whom, or which clause has preceded it in the sentence. (The same holds true for but who, but whom, or but which.)
Mr. Helmser is a man of great political power but who uses his power in the best interests of the people he serves, (not parallel—the conjunction but joins a dependent clause to an independent clause.)
Mr. Helmser is a man who has great political power but who uses his power in the best interests of the people he serves, (parallel—the conjunction but joins two dependent clauses.)
Our country faces serious problems, and which cannot be easily solved, (not parallel—the and joins a dependent clause to an independent clause.)
Our country faces serious problems, which cannot be easily solved, (correct—since the items were not parallel, the and was removed from the sentence.)
Absolute parallelism is not always possible or desirable.
He greatly enjoys golf and fishing, (acceptable— though these expressions are not parallel in grammatical form, they are parallel in use [noun].)
The commencement speaker spoke slowly and with dignity, (acceptable—though these expressions are not parallel in grammatical form, they are parallel in use [adverb]. Also, would it be desirable to say “… spoke slowly and dignifiedly)
