Parallel Structure Examples

Parallel structure is when you use the same grammatical structure to show that ideas are related and have the same level of importance. The easiest place to see parallel structure is in a list. All items in the list should have the same grammatical structure.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

We must be firm, be fair, and be consistent.

I want to invite my favorite teacher, my favorite coach, and my favorite friends.

The class took a quiz, went to lunch, and watched a video.

My mom enjoys cooking, gardening, and playing with her dog.

Examples of Parallel Structure from Literature and Speeches:

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." (John F. Kennedy)

"We have seen the state of our Union in the endurance of rescuers, working past exhaustion. We've seen the unfurling of flags, the lighting of candles, the giving of blood, the saying of prayers -- in English, Hebrew, and Arabic." (George W. Bush)

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness . . ." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)

"...and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." (Abraham Lincoln)