Remember that old rule about always writing items on a list using the same forms of the word or phrase? It’s called parallel construction and it’s not just grammatically sound – it’s an immensely powerful writing instrument.

When you are up to writing, basically, you need to know correct grammar and correct language usage. As a writer, you should also study what is a parallel construction in writing your content. You might hear of the term way back in your elementary and high school years. If not, you must be absent with this course or worse, you haven’t paid any attention with it. Maybe, but I guess it is normal for a student to be like that.

Anyway, parallelism construction is a very useful technique in writing where is maintains the balance of similar words in your sentence. It is also applied to similar or related phrases or clauses. Through this technique, it helps you formulate a new writing style which your readers will fully understand it because it will create a sense of readability.

Whenever there are few structural situations in your content, this method enables you to use only one so that the subject of each verb will no longer have to restate those sentences again.

Need an example to refresh on the topic? Take this list, for instance:

“drinking, drugs and gambling”

Is the list clear? Of course it is. Anyone can read that and know what every item in the list is about. Even better, they can glean some of the context based directly from it. However, one of the words is off. If you guessed “drugs,” you’re right. The three other words use a verb to describe it, while “drugs” is a noun. As an alternative, we recommend writing this out as:

“drinking, using and gambling”

While “using” may not be as straightforward as “drugs,” most people will likely understand what it means too. How? Same way that people understand that “drinking” means getting drunk, instead of quenching your thirst: it’s all in the context.

Since you used parallel construction in the second example, the sequence also sounds much better. In fact, if you use them in a speech, the second one will likely make a good sound bite, while the first is bound to be passed over.

Since parallelism is usually in a series format which combines some related elements in a sentence, you should also use the correct syntax in order for you to create a good one. You need to put in mind that when you series related words or phrases in a sentence, it should appear clear and a bit more concise.

Parallel construction allows you to create text with stronger effect because it allows the material to flow smoothly. That’s because text that doesn’t include parallels usually cause the reader to stop momentarily to process what was written. It breaks the flow and dampens what could have been a powerful statement. Many grammar checkers include grammatical parallelism during their document. Make sure to note it and fix any errors found to allow you to fashion the most effective writing possible.