# Parallel Structure: Examples & How to Fix It

> Parallel structure means items joined in a sentence share the same grammatical form — all nouns, all -ing verbs, or all clauses. “She likes hiking, swimming, and biking” is parallel; “hiking, swimming, and to bike” is not.

**URL:** https://humanit.app/writing/parallel-structure  ·  **Updated:** May 2026  ·  Humanit

Parallel structure means items joined in a sentence share the same grammatical form — all nouns, all -ing verbs, or all clauses. “She likes hiking, swimming, and biking” is parallel; “hiking, swimming, and to bike” is not. Paste your own sentence into the free checker below to fix it in one click.

## How it works

1. **Spot the pattern** — Look at anything joined by “and”, “or”, or a pair like “not only… but also”. Read the items as a vertical list — if one doesn’t match the shape of the others, the structure has broken.
2. **Apply the rule** — Rewrite the odd item to match the form of the rest. Usually the cleanest fix is to make every item a gerund (“-ing”) or every item a plain noun or adjective.
3. **Check your sentence** — Paste your text into the grammar checker below — it flags the issue and shows the correction.
4. **Re-read it** — Read the corrected version aloud to confirm it says exactly what you meant.

## The rule

When you list or compare two or more items in a sentence, every item must take the same grammatical form. If the first item is a gerund (-ing), they all are; if the first is an adjective, they all are.

## How to spot it

Look at anything joined by “and”, “or”, or a pair like “not only… but also”. Read the items as a vertical list — if one doesn’t match the shape of the others, the structure has broken.

## How to fix it

Rewrite the odd item to match the form of the rest. Usually the cleanest fix is to make every item a gerund (“-ing”) or every item a plain noun or adjective.

## The most common mistake

Mixing a gerund with an infinitive (“reading, writing, and to jog”) or tacking a full clause onto a list of adjectives (“bold, innovative, and it cost a lot”). If you’re not sure whether your sentence has the problem, paste it into the checker above — it catches this and explains the fix in plain language.

**Before → after**

| ❌ Incorrect | ✓ Corrected | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| I like to read, writing, and to jog. | I like reading, writing, and jogging. | All three items are gerunds |
| The plan was bold, innovative, and it cost a lot. | The plan was bold, innovative, and expensive. | All three are adjectives |
| She is responsible for hiring, training, and to evaluate staff. | She is responsible for hiring, training, and evaluating staff. | Parallel gerunds after “for” |

## FAQ

**Which sentence uses parallel structure?**

The one where every listed or compared item shares the same grammatical form. “We came, we saw, we conquered” is parallel (three matching clauses); “We came, seeing the city, and conquered” is not.

**Why does parallel structure matter?**

It makes sentences easier to read and signals careful writing. Faulty parallelism is one of the most common marks graders and editors flag, even when a sentence is otherwise correct.

**How do I check my own writing for this?**

Paste your text into the free grammar checker on this page. It flags the issue, suggests a correction, and explains why — so you learn the rule, not just the fix.

**Is it free?**

Yes — your first run needs no account, and a free account adds 5 more, each up to 1,500 words. They are a one-time grant, not a daily allowance. Upgrade for a word pool that removes the per-run cap, or use the free iOS app.

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_Last updated: June 2026._