What Revision Should Be Made to Maintain Parallel Structure
Parallel structure, also known as parallelism or parallel construction, is one of the most essential yet frequently overlooked elements of effective writing. When you revise for parallel structure, you check that words, phrases, and clauses within a sentence follow the same grammatical pattern. This consistency creates rhythm, clarity, and professionalism in your writing. Whether you are drafting a business report, an academic essay, or creative content, understanding what revision should be made to maintain parallel structure will significantly improve the quality of your work.
Understanding Parallel Structure in Writing
Parallel structure means that items in a series, elements in a comparison, or parts of a list should use the same grammatical form. When you write "She likes reading, writing, and to paint," you have broken parallel structure because "reading" and "writing" are gerunds while "to paint" is an infinitive. On top of that, the revision to maintain parallel structure would be: "She likes reading, writing, and painting. " All three items now follow the same grammatical pattern But it adds up..
This principle extends beyond simple lists. So or," "neither... and," "either...It applies to headings in documents, bullet points in presentations, comparative sentences using "both...but also.So nor," and "not only... " When you master what revision should be made to maintain parallel structure, your writing becomes more readable and persuasive.
Why Parallel Structure Matters in Revision
The primary reason to revise for parallel structure is clarity. When grammatical elements match, readers can process information quickly without stumbling over inconsistent patterns. Consider this sentence: "The job requires a candidate who is creative, motivated, and has experience.That said, " The first two items are adjectives, while the third is a verb phrase. This inconsistency creates cognitive friction.
A revision to maintain parallel structure would produce: "The job requires a candidate who is creative, motivated, and experienced." Now all three elements follow the same pattern, and the sentence flows smoothly Small thing, real impact. And it works..
Beyond clarity, parallel structure adds rhetorical power to your writing. Lists with parallel structure sound more memorable and impactful. In practice, this is why political speeches, marketing copy, and legal documents often employ careful parallelism. When you revise with parallel structure in mind, you elevate the overall quality of your communication.
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Common Parallel Structure Problems and How to Revise Them
Lists with Mixed Grammatical Forms
The most frequent parallel structure errors appear in lists. Writers often start with one grammatical form and switch to another without realizing it. Here are examples of problems and their revisions:
Problem: "The workshop covers time management, how to prioritize tasks, and stress reduction." Revision: "The workshop covers time management, task prioritization, and stress reduction." All items are now nouns.
Problem: "To finish the project on time, you need to plan carefully, work efficiently, and should stay focused." Revision: "To finish the project on time, you need to plan carefully, work efficiently, and stay focused." All items are now infinitives without "to."
Comparisons Using Conjunctions
When using correlative conjunctions like "both...and," "either...And or," "not only... but also," and "neither...nor," the elements following each conjunction must be parallel.
Problem: "She is not only talented but also a hard worker." Revision: This sentence is actually correct because both elements are noun phrases. Still, "She is not only talented but also works hard" would be incorrect because "talented" is an adjective while "works hard" is a verb phrase.
Problem: "Neither the manager nor the employees were satisfied." Revision: This sentence is correct. That said, "Neither the manager nor the employees were happy with the decision" maintains parallel structure because both subjects are treated equally.
Headings and Bullet Points
In business documents, reports, and presentations, headings and bullet points must maintain parallel structure for professional appearance Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
Problem:
- Introduction
- What we did
- Analysis of results
- Conclusions
Revision:
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Analysis
- Conclusions
All headings now use nouns in the same form.
Steps to Revise for Parallel Structure
Step 1: Identify Lists and Correlative Conjunctions
When revising your first draft, search for all instances of "and," "or," "but," and their correlative forms. Also look for any numbered lists or bullet points. These are the most common locations for parallel structure errors.
Step 2: Determine the Grammatical Form of the First Element
Once you identify a list or comparison, examine the first item. That's why is it a noun, verb, adjective, gerund, or infinitive? This first element establishes the pattern that all subsequent elements must follow No workaround needed..
Step 3: Revise All Elements to Match
Go through each item in the list and revise them to match the grammatical form of the first element. This may require changing some words or restructuring phrases Small thing, real impact..
Step 4: Read Aloud
Reading your revised sentences aloud helps you hear inconsistencies that your eyes might miss. Parallel structure creates a natural rhythm, while non-parallel structure often sounds awkward or clunky Surprisingly effective..
Step 5: Check Multiple Times
Parallel structure errors are easy to overlook, especially when you have been working on a document for a long time. Reading your work after a break or having someone else review it can help catch remaining issues.
Examples of Revision for Parallel Structure
Example 1: Resume Skills Section
Before: "Skills include project management, data analysis, and to communicate effectively." Revision: "Skills include project management, data analysis, and effective communication."
Example 2: Company Mission Statement
Before: "Our company aims to innovate, inspire, and excellence." Revision: "Our company aims to innovate, inspire, and excel."
Example 3: Educational Objectives
Before: "Students will learn to think critically, solve problems creatively, and application of knowledge." Revision: "Students will learn to think critically, solve problems creatively, and apply knowledge."
Example 4: Comparative Sentence
Before: "It is easier to make plans than executing them." Revision: "It is easier to make plans than to execute them." or "It is easier to make plans than execute them."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the simplest way to identify parallel structure errors?
Look for lists or comparisons containing "and," "or," "but," "both," "either," "neither," or "not only." Check whether each element follows the same grammatical pattern as the first element Easy to understand, harder to ignore. Practical, not theoretical..
Does parallel structure apply to headings in documents?
Yes. Headings within the same level should use consistent grammatical forms. To give you an idea, if one heading is a noun like "Introduction," other headings at that level should also be nouns like "Methods," "Results," and "Discussion.
Can parallel structure ever be intentionally broken?
Experienced writers sometimes break parallelism for stylistic effect, such as creating emphasis or humor. That said, this should be done deliberately and sparingly. In most professional and academic writing, maintaining parallel structure is the safer choice That's the part that actually makes a difference..
How does parallel structure affect SEO?
While parallel structure is primarily a readability concern, search engines favor content that is easy to read and understand. Well-structured sentences with consistent parallelism contribute to better user experience, which can indirectly support SEO performance.
Is parallel structure different in British and American English?
No. The principle of parallel structure applies equally to both varieties of English. Grammar rules regarding parallelism do not change based on regional spelling or vocabulary differences.
Conclusion
Understanding what revision should be made to maintain parallel structure is a fundamental skill for any writer. By ensuring that grammatical elements within sentences follow consistent patterns, you create writing that is clear, professional, and easier to understand. The revision process involves identifying lists and correlative conjunctions, determining the grammatical form of the first element, and revising all subsequent elements to match.
Remember to check your work multiple times and read aloud to catch errors that might otherwise go unnoticed. Whether you are writing business documents, academic papers, or creative content, parallel structure will enhance the quality of your communication. Make parallel structure revision a regular part of your editing process, and your writing will improve significantly But it adds up..
