Easy Parallelism Examples and Explanations

Parallelism is one of those literary tools that makes sentences feel like they’re walking in rhythm—balanced, smooth, and purposeful. In fact, whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably encountered parallelism examples in some of your favorite books, speeches, or poems. Moreover, writers use parallelism examples to give their words flow, emphasize ideas, and make lines stick in your mind like lyrics to a great song. As a result, this technique not only enhances clarity but also leaves a lasting impression on readers.

What is Parallel Structure?

Parallel structure—also known as parallelism—is when you keep the same format for words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence.

Want to write with flawless parallelism? Try Arvin’s AI Grammar Checker and let your sentences flow smoothly and purposefully.

Parallel Sentence Structure Examples

Parallelism Examples in Writing

Words, Phrases, or Clauses in Parallelism Examples

Parallelism can occur at three levels:

1. Words

When you list words, they need to match in form:

• Not Parallel: “She enjoys hiking, to swim, and riding bikes.”
• Parallel: “She enjoys hiking, swimming, and riding bikes.”

Why It Works: All items (hiking, swimming, riding) are in the gerund form, creating consistency.

2. Phrases

Parallel structure also applies to phrases—whether they’re prepositional, noun, or verb phrases.

• Not Parallel: “He spends his free time reading books, watching movies, and to play video games.”
• Parallel: “He spends his free time reading books, watching movies, and playing video games.”

Why It Works: All items (reading books, watching movies, playing video games) follow the same gerund phrase pattern.

3. Clauses

When clauses are connected (often by conjunctions like and, or, but), they should follow the same grammatical structure.

• Not Parallel: “The teacher said we must complete the project quickly, that we should submit it on time, and reviewing it is important.”
• Parallel: “The teacher said we must complete the project quickly, submit it on time, and review it thoroughly.”

Why It Works: The clauses (complete the project, submit it, review it) now follow the same verb structure, making the sentence flow smoothly.

From words to clauses, structure matters. Use Arvin’s AI Grammar Checker to make your writing polished, professional, and clear

Parallelism in Literature

Parallelism is that secret ingredient in writing that makes words flow like a perfectly composed song. By repeating a grammatical structure, writers add rhythm, balance, and emphasis, turning ordinary sentences into unforgettable lines. From Charles Dickens to Shakespeare, parallelism has been used to make literature feel timeless and powerful.

Parallelism Examples in Literature

1. Charles Dickens – A Tale of Two Cities

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

This line opens Dickens’ classic novel and perfectly sets the tone. By using parallel opposites (best and worst), Dickens creates a dramatic tension that mirrors the chaos of the French Revolution. It’s a masterclass in using structure to reflect content.

2. Julius Caesar – Plutarch’s Lives

“I came, I saw, I conquered.”

This line, attributed to Julius Caesar, is one of the most famous examples of parallelism in history. Each clause follows the same pattern (subject + verb), creating a rhythm that feels swift and decisive—just like Caesar’s victory.

3. Alfred Lord Tennyson – Ulysses

“To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

In Tennyson’s poem, these parallelism examples close the speaker’s passionate monologue. The repeated structure of “to + verb” (strive, seek, find) builds a sense of determination and resolve. Parallelism here builds momentum. You can almost hear the speaker’s conviction growing with each word like a mantra for life.

4. Robert Frost – Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.”

Frost’s use of three parallel adjectives (lovely, dark, deep) creates a calm and reflective mood. The balance of the words mirrors the stillness of the woods themselves, giving the reader a sense of peace. The simplicity of parallel adjectives adds beauty without overcomplicating the line.

William Shakespeare and Parallelism Examples

When it comes to crafting lines that stand the test of time, William Shakespeare was a master of using parallelism. His works are filled with sentences that mirror each other in structure, creating rhythm, balance, and emotional intensity. Whether it’s in his comedies, tragedies, or history plays, Shakespeare knew how to use parallelism to emphasize ideas, make dialogue memorable, and add poetic beauty to his writing.

1. Twelfth Night

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

This line is classic Shakespeare. Notice how each clause starts similarly (some are, some achieve, some have) and repeats the word great. The parallel structure builds momentum while emphasizing that greatness comes in many forms. It’s not just poetic; it’s practical, breaking down greatness into three clear ideas.

2. Julius Caesar

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.”

In this line, Shakespeare uses parallel clauses (not in our stars, but in ourselves) to contrast two ideas: fate and personal responsibility. The balance of the sentence highlights the core message—our choices define us, not destiny.

Why It Works:
Parallelism here creates a clean, dramatic contrast.

3. Macbeth

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

This short yet haunting line spoken by the witches in Macbeth uses parallel structure to highlight the reversal of morals and order in the play. By flipping fair and foul, Shakespeare conveys the unsettling theme that appearances are deceptive.

Why It Works:
The mirrored structure of “fair is foul” and “foul is fair” creates a hypnotic rhythm. It sticks in the reader’s mind, much like a sinister chant.

4. Richard II

“This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.”

In this speech, Shakespeare repeats “this” followed by nouns (plot, earth, realm, England) to emphasize pride and reverence for England. The structure builds gradually, intensifying the emotional weight of the line.

Why It Works:
The repetition of “this” gives the sentence a steady rhythm, like a drumbeat building to a climax. Shakespeare uses parallel nouns to elevate the land from a simple “plot” to a revered nation.

5. Hamlet

“To die, to sleep—To sleep, perchance to dream.”

In Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, Shakespeare uses parallel infinitives (to die, to sleep) to reflect Hamlet’s contemplation of life and death. The repetition of the “to + verb” structure creates a reflective, rhythmic flow.

Why It Works:
The parallel structure mirrors Hamlet’s indecision. Each phrase feels like a step in his thought process, drawing the reader deeper into his inner turmoil.

Times it Was the Worst: A Literary Example

Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities begins with one of the most iconic lines in literary history:

“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…”

At first glance, this line seems contradictory, but when you look closer, it’s clear that Dickens is painting a vivid picture of a world torn between extremes. By using parallelism, Dickens creates a rhythm that feels deliberate, powerful, and timeless. But what makes this line so impactful?

Each clause in this sentence begins with the repeated phrase “it was” followed by opposing ideas. This creates a strong, balanced rhythm while emphasizing the tension and contradictions of the time:

• “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.”

The repetition doesn’t just add style; it makes the opposites hit harder. As you read, the contrasts build like waves crashing in quick succession, reflecting the chaos and unpredictability of the French Revolution.

Why Does It Work So Well?

Parallelism works here for a few key reasons:

1. It Creates Rhythm:
   • By repeating “it was,” Dickens establishes a steady beat that pulls the reader along. It’s almost like a drumline, giving the sentence momentum and flow.
2. It Highlights Contrast:
   • The opposites—best/worst, wisdom/foolishness, belief/incredulity—are clearer and more dramatic because of their mirrored structure. The balance draws attention to how two extremes can exist side by side.
3. It Amplifies Meaning:
   • The line captures the dual nature of society. Dickens isn’t just describing one moment—he’s showing how progress and chaos often coexist. This is why the line resonates across generations.
4. It Feels Universal:
   • While Dickens was writing about the French Revolution, the structure of the sentence applies to almost any period of upheaval. The rhythm and contrasts make it timeless.

Parallelism Examples in Poetry

1. Walt Whitman – Song of Myself

“I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”

Whitman’s use of parallel clauses—“I celebrate myself,” and “I sing myself”—gives the poem a confident, rhythmic opening. In fact, this parallelism reflects the central theme of unity and shared humanity, which runs throughout Song of Myself.

Moreover, the repetition of “I” followed by verbs like “celebrate” and “sing” creates a sense of deliberate rhythm, making the lines sound almost like a chant. As a result, this balance brings a musical quality to the poem, drawing readers into Whitman’s expansive, optimistic worldview.

Ultimately, it feels like a rallying cry—unifying, rhythmic, and self-assured. By repeating structure and form, Whitman sets the tone for a work that celebrates individuality while reminding us of our connection to one another.

2. William Blake – The Tyger

“Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?”

In The Tyger, Blake uses parallel structure in phrases like “immortal hand or eye” to emphasize the mysterious and divine nature of creation. By repeating this balanced pattern, he builds a sense of awe and tension, drawing the reader deeper into the enigma of the tiger’s existence.

Moreover, the mirrored structure feels deliberate and haunting, much like the tiger itself—both mesmerizing and fearsome. The rhythm of the line, resembling a steady drumbeat, adds to the poem’s hypnotic quality and makes the imagery feel powerful and otherworldly, as if Blake is tapping into something both divine and unknowable.

3. T.S. Eliot – The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

“In the room, the women come and go,
Talking of Michelangelo.”

Eliot’s line repeats the parallel phrase “the women come and go” throughout the poem, creating a refrain that underscores monotony and social superficiality. In doing so, the structure mirrors the repetitive, almost meaningless movements of modern life.

Furthermore, the rhythm of the repeated phrases gives the line a hypnotic quality—much like the sound of footsteps pacing back and forth in an empty room. This subtle repetition reinforces the speaker’s sense of disconnection and boredom, amplifying the emotional weight and making the experience feel both tangible and universal.

4. Emily Dickinson – Because I Could Not Stop for Death

“We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground –
The Roof was scarcely visible –
The Cornice – in the Ground.”

In this passage, Dickinson uses parallel noun phrases—“the Roof” and “the Cornice”—to describe a grave. This repetition creates a calm, solemn tone, emphasizing death as both quiet and inevitable.

Moreover, the parallel structure lends the description a measured, deliberate rhythm, mirroring the stillness of the grave itself. It feels as though Dickinson is carefully guiding the reader step by step toward understanding the peaceful finality of death, transforming what could be unsettling into something serene and contemplative.

Famous Speeches and Historical Parallelism Examples

Parallelism isn’t just a tool poets use—it’s the heartbeat of some of the greatest speeches in history. By repeating grammatical structures, leaders have turned their words into timeless messages that inspire, motivate, and stay with us long after they’re spoken.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Use of Parallelism

One of the most powerful uses of parallelism in modern history comes from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream”speech.

“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight.”

Dr. King repeats the phrase “I have a dream” throughout his speech, creating a rhythmic refrain that builds both momentum and emotion. With each repetition, he introduces a new vision of equality and justice, reinforcing a collective hope for change and progress.

The parallel structure gives the speech a musical quality, as if each line adds a new verse to his vision of a better future. This deliberate rhythm not only amplifies the message but also makes it unforgettable. It’s no accident that the speech continues to resonate decades later—parallelism lends it clarity, strength, and a timeless, lyrical flow that inspires generation after generation.

John F. Kennedy and Parallelism

“Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

Here, Kennedy uses parallelism with a mirrored structure to reverse the focus from self to service. The symmetry of the sentence creates a sharp, impactful contrast, reinforcing his challenge to Americans to act for the greater good.

Small Step for Man, Giant Leap for Mankind

When Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon in 1969, his words captured the magnitude of the moment:

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

The brilliance of Armstrong’s statement lies in its parallel contrast—small step versus giant leap. While the act itself was simple, the parallelism elevated its significance, framing it as a milestone for all humanity.

Coordinating Conjunctions in Parallelism Examples

Coordinating conjunctions—and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet—act like traffic directors in your sentences, ensuring everything flows in the same direction. When using these conjunctions in a list or series, parallelism requires that the connected words, phrases, or clauses follow the same grammatical structure.

1. Words Joined by “and”

• Not Parallel: “Beyoncé is talented, hardworking, and a force to be reckoned with.”
• Parallel: “Beyoncé is talented, hardworking, and unstoppable.”

Why It Works: All the items (talented, hardworking, unstoppable) are adjectives describing Beyoncé, maintaining grammatical balance.

2. Phrases Joined by “but”

• Not Parallel: “He wanted to write a novel, but finishing Netflix shows took up all his time.”
• Parallel: “He wanted to write a novel, but he ended up binge-watching Netflix shows instead.”

Why It Works: Both parts now follow the same clause structure (he wanted vs. he ended up).

3. Clauses Joined by “or”

• Not Parallel: “You can work hard to succeed, or giving up on your goals might seem easier.”
• Parallel: “You can work hard to succeed, or you can give up on your goals.”

Why It Works: Both clauses now start with “you can”, balancing the options.

4. Items Joined by “nor”

• Not Parallel: “Elvis neither performed for fame nor to earn money.”
• Parallel: “Elvis neither performed for fame nor sang for money.”

Why It Works: Both verbs (performed and sang) follow the same structure, aligning the ideas.

5. Sentences Joined by “yet”

• Not Parallel: “She practiced the violin tirelessly, yet her love for painting distracted her focus.”
• Parallel: “She practiced the violin tirelessly, yet she was constantly distracted by her love for painting.”

Why It Works: Both clauses start with “she” and follow a balanced subject-verb structure.

Final Words

Parallelism is more than just a grammatical rule—it’s the secret sauce that makes writing clear, rhythmic, and powerful. From timeless works of literature to historic speeches, parallel structure gives words a flow that sticks in your mind and resonates long after you’ve read or heard them.

Wondering how to master parallelism? Check out Arvin’s AI Grammar Checker to perfect your writing in seconds!

The next time you write, pay attention to balance. Because when your words flow in harmony, your ideas won’t just be understood—they’ll shine.

FAQ