How to Keep Your Sentences Balanced and Consistent Using Parallel Structure

Have you ever read a sentence that just felt wrong, even if you understood what it meant? It might be because the sentence doesn’t have parallel structure (also called parallelism).

Parallel structure means keeping things consistent in a list or comparison. When parts of a sentence match in structure, it sounds smoother and clearer.

Think of it like this: when you list things, compare ideas, or connect actions, the parts of the sentence should match in form.

Lesson Table of Contents

1. Understanding Parallel Structure
2. Step 1: Keep Verb Forms Consistent in Lists
3. Step 2: Keep Structure the Same in Comparisons
4. Step 3: Keep Structure the Same with Correlative Conjunctions
5. Step 4: Fixing Parallel Structure in Sentences
6. Final Tip: Read It Out Loud!
7. Focus Story: a Trip, a Plan, and a Tiny Problem
8. Practice
9. Answer Key

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses

Understanding Parallel Structure

Examples of parallel structure:

✅ Correct: She enjoys cooking, dancing, and traveling.

❌ Incorrect: She enjoys cooking, to dance, and traveling.

✅ Correct: He prefers walking rather than driving.

❌ Incorrect: He prefers walking rather than to drive.

✅ Correct: It is better to read a book than to watch TV.

❌ Incorrect: It is better to read a book than watching TV.

Let’s break it down step by step with easy examples!

Step 1: Keep Verb Forms Consistent in Lists

When listing actions, all verbs should be in the same form. If you mix them up, the sentence sounds awkward.

❌ Incorrect:

• I like running, to swim, and ride my bike.

What’s wrong here? 🤔

• "Running" (a gerund) doesn’t match "to swim" (an infinitive) or "ride" (a base verb).

✅ Correct:

• I like running, swimming, and riding my bike.
  OR
• I like to run, to swim, and to ride my bike.

Both versions are correct! Just stay consistent – either use all gerunds (-ing) or all infinitives (to + verb).

Step 2: Keep Structure the Same in Comparisons

When you compare two things, make sure both sides have the same structure.

❌ Incorrect:

• She enjoys reading more than to write.

This is incorrect because one part uses a gerund ("reading"), but the other uses an infinitive ("to write").

✅ Correct:

• She enjoys reading more than writing.

Step 3: Keep Structure the Same with Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative means "related."

Correlative conjunctions are pairs like:

• Either…or
• Neither…nor
• Not only…but also
• Both…and
• Whether…or

Since these conjunctions connect two parts of a sentence, both parts must follow the same grammatical structure. Otherwise, the sentence sounds awkward or confusing.

❌ Incorrect: He is not only funny but also he is smart.

(The second part is too long.)

✅ Correct: He is not only funny but also smart.

❌ Incorrect: You can either study or going to the gym.

(The second verb does not use the same structure.)

✅ Correct: You can either study or go to the gym.

See the pattern? Both parts should have the same structure.

Step 4: Fixing Parallel Structure in Sentences

Let’s practice with more examples:

❌ Incorrect: My job includes writing reports, answering emails, and to make presentations.

("Writing" and "answering" are gerunds, but "to make" is an infinitive.)

✅ Correct: My job includes writing reports, answering emails, and making presentations.

❌ Incorrect: She wants to travel the world, learning new languages, and meeting people.

("To travel" is an infinitive, but "learning" and "meeting" are gerunds – no match!)

✅ Correct: She wants to travel the world, to learn new languages, and to meet people.

Final Tip: Read It Out Loud!

A great way to check if your sentence has parallel structure is to read it out loud. If something sounds weird or unbalanced, check if all the parts match!

Focus Story: a Trip, a Plan, and a Tiny Problem

Story Focus: Parallel Structure

Sophie: Hey, Mia! Let’s plan our weekend trip. What do you feel like doing?

Mia: I want to either go hiking or visit a museum.

Sophie: That sounds great! I’d love not only to explore nature but also to learn something new.

Mia: Perfect! We should decide if we’re driving there or taking the train.

Sophie: Let’s take the train. We can spend the ride reading, listening to music, or chatting.

Mia: Good idea! We also need to pack wisely. I’ll be checking the weather, planning the route, and packing my bag.

Sophie: Me too! My plan is to pack light, to stay comfortable, and to enjoy the trip without worrying about extra stuff.

Mia: Sounds like a plan! So, we’ll meet at the station, at 9 AM, and with our tickets ready?

Sophie: Exactly! I can’t wait. We’ll be relaxing, exploring, and making great memories.

Mia: Awesome! Oh, wait… did we actually book the tickets?

Sophie: …I thought you were booking them.

(They stare at each other in silence.)

Mia: Well… I guess we’ll be improvising, problem-solving, and running to catch the next train!

Practice

Now it’s your turn! Can you fix this sentence?

1. ❌ He likes playing soccer, to watch movies, and reading books.
2. ❌ It is easier to walk to school than driving.
3. ❌ She is not only intelligent but also works hard.
4. ❌ We spent the weekend hiking, swimming, and to relax.
5. ❌ He wants to learn French, practicing the piano, and to travel.
6. ❌ The teacher asked us to write an essay and that we should complete it by Monday.
7. ❌ The movie was both exciting and it was emotional.
8. ❌ She prefers reading novels over to watch TV.
9. ❌ He is responsible for managing the team, training new employees, and to improve customer satisfaction.
10. ❌ He is both an excellent musician and writes well.
11. ❌ She likes not only reading novels but also to write stories.
12. ❌You can either take the train or driving your car.
13. ❌ My goals this year are getting in shape, to save more money, and learning a new language.
14. ❌The manager told us to submit the report and that we should attend the meeting.
15. ❌ She advised him to start exercising and that he should eat healthier.

Answer Key

✅ He likes playing soccer, watching movies, and reading books.

✅ It is easier to walk to school than to drive.

✅ She is not only intelligent but also hardworking.

✅ We spent the weekend hiking, swimming, and relaxing.

✅ He wants to learn French, practice the piano, and travel.

✅ The teacher asked us to write an essay and complete it by Monday.

✅ The movie was both exciting and emotional.

✅ She prefers reading novels over watching TV.

✅ He is responsible for managing the team, training new employees, and improving customer satisfaction.

✅ He is both an excellent musician and a talented writer.

✅ She likes not only reading novels but also writing stories.

✅ You can either take the train or drive your car.

✅ My goals this year are getting in shape, saving more money, and learning a new language.

✅ The manager told us to submit the report and attend the meeting.

✅ She advised him to start exercising and eat healthier.

That’s it! Now you know how to keep your sentences smooth and balanced with parallel structure. Keep practicing, and soon it will feel natural!

Return from How to Keep Your Sentences Balanced and Consistent Using Parallel Structure to Understanding the Parts of a Sentence

Return to Really Learn English Home Page

Top of this page