Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Parallel structure means using the same grammatical form for all items in a list to ensure clarity and professional rhythm.
- Match parts of speech: If the first item is a noun, make them all nouns. Example: 'Apples, pears, and grapes.'
- Match verb forms: Don't mix gerunds and infinitives. Example: 'I like hiking, swimming, and running.'
- Match clause types: Keep the same voice (active/passive) throughout. Example: 'He opened the door, entered the room, and sat down.'
Overview
Parallel Structure(평행 구조)가 있습니다. 특히 목록(Lists) 내에서 단어의 형태를 일치시키는 작업은 영미권 지성인들이 글을 쓰거나 연설을 할 때 가장 공을 들이는 부분 중 하나입니다.은/는, 이/가, 을/를)가 문장 성분을 명확히 해주기 때문에 구조가 조금 틀어져도 이해에 큰 지장이 없지만, 영어는 어순과 단어의 형태 자체가 문법적 기능을 결정하기 때문입니다. 오늘 이 시간을 통해 원어민조차 간혹 실수하지만, 전문가 수준의 영어를 구사하기 위해 반드시 마스터해야 할 평행 구조의 정수를 파헤쳐 보겠습니다.and, or, but과 같은 등위 접속사로 연결되는 요소들은 마치 저울의 양팔처럼 동일한 무게(문법적 형태)를 가져야 합니다.-고, -며, -거나 등의 어미를 사용하여 단어, 구, 절을 비교적 자유롭게 연결합니다. 예를 들어 «그는 친절하고, 똑똑하며, 우리를 항상 도와준다»라는 문장은 한국어에서 매우 자연스럽습니다. 여기서 '친절하고(형용사)', '똑똑하며(형용사)', '도와준다(동사)'가 섞여 있어도 우리는 어색함을 느끼지 못합니다.He is kind, smart, and always helps us.라고 하면 C1 레벨에서는 '구조적 결함'이 있는 문장으로 간주합니다. 앞의 두 요소가 형용사(kind, smart)이므로 마지막 요소도 형용사인 helpful로 바꾸어 He is kind, smart, and always helpful.이라고 하거나, 모두 동사구로 통일해야 합니다.-ing)로 시작했다면 끝까지 동명사로 가야 한다는 규칙입니다. 이것이 바로 영어식 논리의 일관성입니다.A, B, and C 패턴을 중심으로 주요 품사별 형성 방식을 살펴보겠습니다.Noun, Noun, and Noun | The job requires patience, focus, and dedication. | patience, focus, dedication 모두 추상 명사로 일치 |Adj, Adj, and Adj | The presentation was brief, clear, and persuasive. | brief, clear, persuasive 모두 형용사로 일치 |Verb, Verb, and Verb | We need to analyze the data, identify trends, and create a report. | analyze, identify, create 모두 동사 원형으로 일치 |Gerund, Gerund, and Gerund | She enjoys hiking, swimming, and photography. (X) -> She enjoys hiking, swimming, and taking photos. (O) | 명사(photography)를 섞지 않고 모두 -ing 형태로 통일 |to V, (to) V, and (to) V | Our goal is to innovate, to lead, and to inspire. | to는 첫 항목에만 쓰고 나머지는 생략 가능하지만, 반복하면 강조 효과가 있음 |A, B, and C에서 and 앞의 콤마를 말하는데요, 현대 영어(특히 학술적, 공식적 글쓰기)에서는 이 콤마를 찍어주는 것이 원칙입니다.I love my parents, Lady Gaga and Humpty Dumpty.라고 쓰면 (콤마가 없어서) 내 부모님이 레이디 가가와 험티 덤티라는 오해를 살 수 있습니다. 하지만 I love my parents, Lady Gaga, and Humpty Dumpty.라고 하면 세 부류를 사랑한다는 것이 명확해집니다. C1 레벨의 학습자라면 명확성을 위해 옥스퍼드 콤마를 적극적으로 사용하는 습관을 들이는 것이 좋습니다.- 1비즈니스 이메일 및 보고서 (Professional Communication):
- (Bad)
Our team is responsible for marketing, sales, and we also manage customer support. - (Good)
Our team is responsible for marketing, sales, and customer support.(모두 명사로 통일)
- 1학술 에세이 및 논문 (Academic Writing):
This study aims to examine the causes, to evaluate the impacts, and to suggest solutions.
- 1프레젠테이션 및 연설 (Public Speaking):
I Have a Dream연설이 왜 감동적인지 아시나요? 바로
I have a dream that...이라는 구조를 반복하며 평행 구조의 극치를 보여주었기 때문입니다.- 1비교와 대조 (Comparisons):
than이나 as를 사용하여 두 대상을 비교할 때도 구조가 같아야 합니다.Driving to Seoul is more tiring than taking the KTX.(동명사Driving과taking의 일치)
- 오류:
I like coffee, music, and playing the piano. - 원인: 한국어로는 «나는 커피, 음악, 그리고 피아노 치는 것을 좋아해»가 너무나 자연스럽습니다. 하지만 영어에서
coffee와music은 단순 명사이고playing the piano는 동명사구입니다. - 교정:
I like coffee, music, and piano performances.(모두 명사) 또는I like drinking coffee, listening to music, and playing the piano.(모두 동명사구)
- 오류:
Yesterday, I went to the cafe, drank a latte, and am checking my emails. - 원인: 동작이 일어난 순서대로 생각하다 보면 마지막 동작이 현재까지 이어지는 느낌을 받아 현재진행형을 쓰기 쉽습니다. 하지만
and로 연결된 일련의 동작은 시제를 통일해야 합니다. - 교정:
Yesterday, I went to the cafe, drank a latte, and checked my emails.
- 오류:
The candidate is experienced, creative, and she has a lot of energy. - 원인: 사람을 묘사할 때 형용사로 시작했다가 설명이 길어지면 문장(
she has...)으로 마무리하려는 경향이 있습니다. - 교정:
The candidate is experienced, creative, and energetic.(모두 형용사로 통일)
Correlative Conjunctions)와 결합할 때 그 중요성이 배가됩니다. 많은 학습자가 not only A but also B는 알지만, A와 B의 형태를 맞춰야 한다는 사실은 간과하곤 합니다.not only A but also B | He is not only talented but also has kindness. | He is not only talented but also kind. |either A or B | You can either stay here or going home. | You can either stay here or go home. |both A and B | The movie was both long and a bore. | The movie was both long and boring. |rather than | I prefer walking rather than to drive. | I prefer walking rather than driving. |not only 뒤에 형용사가 왔다면 but also 뒤에도 형용사가 와야 합니다. rather than 앞이 동명사라면 뒤도 동명사여야 하죠. 이것이 바로 C1 수준에서 요구하는 '구조적 정교함'입니다.and 앞에 콤마(Oxford Comma)를 안 찍으면 틀린 건가요?and가 포함되어 있는 경우(예: I ate bread, ham and cheese, and fruit.) 옥스퍼드 콤마는 필수입니다.to나 조동사를 매번 반복해야 하나요?to나 can, should 등을 사용했다면, 나머지 항목에서는 생략해도 평행 구조로 인정됩니다.I want to eat, sleep, and rest. (O)We must fight for justice, we must fight for freedom, and we must fight for peace. (강조 효과)Matching Grammatical Forms in Lists
| Category | Parallel Form 1 | Parallel Form 2 | Parallel Form 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Nouns
|
The teacher
|
the student
|
the parent
|
|
Adjectives
|
Smart
|
funny
|
kind
|
|
Gerunds
|
Running
|
jumping
|
swimming
|
|
Infinitives
|
To see
|
to hear
|
to feel
|
|
Adverbs
|
Quickly
|
quietly
|
carefully
|
|
Prep. Phrases
|
In the car
|
on the bus
|
at the station
|
|
Clauses
|
That he came
|
that he saw
|
that he conquered
|
Meanings
Parallel structure (also called parallelism) is the repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence. By making each compared item or idea in your sentence follow the same grammatical pattern, you create a cohesive and balanced flow.
Word-Level Parallelism
Matching individual words like nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a simple list.
“The workshop was informative, engaging, and practical.”
“We need to act quickly, decisively, and effectively.”
Phrase-Level Parallelism
Matching phrases such as gerund phrases (-ing), infinitive phrases (to...), or prepositional phrases.
“He enjoys reading historical novels, watching indie films, and playing classical guitar.”
“To succeed is to work hard, to stay focused, and to remain humble.”
Clause-Level Parallelism
Matching entire clauses, ensuring they all use the same voice (active/passive) or tense structure.
“The coach told the players that they should get plenty of sleep, that they should eat a healthy meal, and that they should arrive early.”
“What we say is what we do, and what we do is who we are.”
Reference Table
| 문법 유형 | 비병렬 구조 예시 (틀림) | 병렬 구조 예시 (맞음) | 왜 병렬 구조인가요? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
명사
|
I enjoy `reading`, `to run`, and `music`.
|
I enjoy `reading`, `running`, and `music`.
|
모두 동명사(gerund) 또는 명사로 일관성을 유지합니다.
|
|
형용사
|
She is `smart`, `kindly`, and `talented`.
|
She is `smart`, `kind`, and `talented`.
|
모두 형용사입니다.
|
|
동사 (원형)
|
He likes `to swim`, `dance`, and `singing`.
|
He likes `to swim`, `to dance`, and `to sing`.
|
모두 `to`-부정사입니다.
|
|
부사
|
They worked `quickly`, `efficient`, and `diligently`.
|
They worked `quickly`, `efficiently`, and `diligently`.
|
모두 부사입니다.
|
|
동명사
|
`Running`, `to eat`, and `sleeping` are fun.
|
`Running`, `eating`, and `sleeping` are fun.
|
모두 동명사입니다.
|
|
과거 분사
|
The report was `written`, `reviewed`, and `publishing`.
|
The report was `written`, `reviewed`, and `published`.
|
모두 과거 분사입니다.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
The candidate is diligent, punctual, and highly professional. (Professional evaluation)
She is hardworking, on time, and professional. (Professional evaluation)
She's a hard worker, always on time, and super pro. (Professional evaluation)
She's a beast, always there, and totally legit. (Professional evaluation)
목록에서 병렬 구조: 단어 맞추기
단어의 종류
- 명사 books, movies, podcasts
- 형용사 fast, reliable, intuitive
- 부사 quickly, clearly, confidently
- 동사 (같은 형태) study, practice, reflect
- 동명사 running, swimming, cycling
장점
- 명확성 Easy to understand
- 가독성 Smooth flow
- 영향력 Stronger message
- 전문성 Polished writing
흔한 실수
- 혼합된 형태 reading, to run, and music
- 일관성 없는 동사 sing, dance, and painted
병렬 vs. 비병렬 목록
목록에서 병렬 구조 확인하기
'and', 'or', 'but'으로 연결된 2개 이상의 항목으로 된 목록이 있나요?
첫 번째 항목의 문법 형태(명사, 형용사, 동사, 동명사 등)를 식별하세요.
목록의 다른 모든 항목이 첫 번째 항목과 정확히 같은 문법 형태를 공유하나요?
품사별 병렬 구조
명사
- • `books`, `films`, `games`
- • `experience`, `skills`, `achievements`
형용사
- • `bright`, `colorful`, `engaging`
- • `smart`, `kind`, `ambitious`
동사 (원형)
- • `run`, `jump`, `swim`
- • `plan`, `execute`, `evaluate`
동명사 (-ing)
- • `drawing`, `painting`, `sculpting`
- • `researching`, `writing`, `presenting`
부사
- • `quickly`, `quietly`, `calmly`
- • `clearly`, `concisely`, `confidently`
수준별 예문
I like cats, dogs, and birds.
I like cats, dogs, and birds.
She is tall and thin.
She is tall and thin.
He can run and jump.
He can run and jump.
Red, blue, and green are colors.
Red, blue, and green are colors.
I enjoy swimming and hiking.
I enjoy swimming and hiking.
He wants to eat and to sleep.
He wants to eat and to sleep.
The car is fast, quiet, and expensive.
The car is fast, quiet, and expensive.
She works in an office and at a school.
She works in an office and at a school.
The film was not only long but also boring.
The film was not only long but also boring.
We decided to stay home, order pizza, and watch a movie.
We decided to stay home, order pizza, and watch a movie.
She is interested in learning French and visiting Paris.
She is interested in learning French and visiting Paris.
You can either pay by cash or use a credit card.
You can either pay by cash or use a credit card.
The professor expected the students to arrive on time, to have read the book, and to be ready for the quiz.
The professor expected the students to arrive on time, to have read the book, and to be ready for the quiz.
Success depends on how hard you work and how well you network.
Success depends on how hard you work and how well you network.
The new policy is neither efficient nor cost-effective.
The new policy is neither efficient nor cost-effective.
He was praised for his honesty, his bravery, and his kindness.
He was praised for his honesty, his bravery, and his kindness.
The candidate's goals are to improve the economy, to reform the healthcare system, and to protect the environment.
The candidate's goals are to improve the economy, to reform the healthcare system, and to protect the environment.
It is a story about a man who loses everything, who struggles to survive, and who eventually finds redemption.
It is a story about a man who loses everything, who struggles to survive, and who eventually finds redemption.
The report was criticized for being biased, for lacking evidence, and for containing numerous errors.
The report was criticized for being biased, for lacking evidence, and for containing numerous errors.
Whether we win the game or whether we lose the game, we must play with honor.
Whether we win the game or whether we lose the game, we must play with honor.
To think clearly is a virtue; to speak eloquently is a gift; to act justly is a duty.
To think clearly is a virtue; to speak eloquently is a gift; to act justly is a duty.
The committee noted that the proposal was technically sound, that it was financially viable, but that it was ethically questionable.
The committee noted that the proposal was technically sound, that it was financially viable, but that it was ethically questionable.
We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets.
We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets.
The more we learn about the universe, the more we realize how little we actually know.
The more we learn about the universe, the more we realize how little we actually know.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners often think they must repeat every word to be parallel, but ellipsis allows you to remove shared words.
This is a literary device where one word applies to two others in different senses (e.g., 'He took his hat and his leave').
Comparing a thing to a person or a quality to an object.
자주 하는 실수
I like apples and to swim.
I like apples and swimming.
He is tall and has strength.
He is tall and strong.
She likes cats, dogs, and play.
She likes cats, dogs, and playing.
I am from Spain and student.
I am from Spain and I am a student.
I enjoy to read and writing.
I enjoy reading and writing.
The room was dark, cold, and it smelled bad.
The room was dark, cold, and smelly.
He can sing, dance, and he plays guitar.
He can sing, dance, and play guitar.
It is better to stay than leaving.
It is better to stay than to leave.
She is not only smart but also she is kind.
She is not only smart but also kind.
The job involves typing, filing, and to answer phones.
The job involves typing, filing, and answering phones.
The report was researched well, written clearly, and the presentation was good.
The report was researched well, written clearly, and presented effectively.
The goal is to increase sales, reduce costs, and the improvement of quality.
The goal is to increase sales, reduce costs, and improve quality.
He was told to either sign the contract or that he should leave.
He was told either to sign the contract or to leave.
The study focused on the effects of stress, how people sleep, and diet.
The study focused on the effects of stress, sleep patterns, and diet.
문장 패턴
I enjoy ___, ___, and ___.
The project was not only ___, but also ___.
To ___, to ___, and to ___ are my main goals.
Whether you ___, or whether you ___, you must ___.
Real World Usage
Specializing in digital marketing, content creation, and brand strategy.
Served with roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables, and garlic bread.
I am responsible for hiring staff, training new employees, and managing budgets.
Day 1: Arrive in Paris. Day 2: Visit the Louvre. Day 3: Depart for Lyon.
The tenant shall maintain the property, pay the rent, and respect the neighbors.
I love long walks, good wine, and great conversation.
패턴을 먼저 파악하세요
reading, writing, and speaking' 에서 'reading'이 동명사니까 나머지도 동명사로 맞춰주는 거죠.다른 문법 형태를 섞지 마세요
소리 내어 읽어보세요
to swim, dance, and singing'처럼 읽으면 왠지 모르게 걸리는 느낌이 들 거예요.명확성은 만국 공통의 가치예요
효과를 위해 활용하세요
act, unite, and overcome.'Smart Tips
Check the ending of each word. If the first two end in -ly, the third one probably should too.
Start every bullet point with a past-tense action verb.
Place the 'not only' immediately before the word you are comparing.
Repeat the 'anchor' word (like 'that' or 'to') to help the reader stay on track.
발음
List Intonation
When speaking a parallel list, use a rising intonation for each item except the last one, which should have a falling intonation.
The 1-2-3 Rise-Fall
I like hiking ↗, swimming ↗, and running ↘.
Indicates that the list is finished.
암기하기
기억법
Think of 'The Mirror Rule': If you look at the first item in a list, every other item should see its own reflection in the same grammatical shape.
시각적 연상
Imagine a set of train tracks. For the train to move smoothly, both tracks must be perfectly parallel and made of the same material. If one rail turns into wood while the other is steel, the train crashes.
Rhyme
If the first is an -ing, let the others sing the same thing!
Story
A perfectionist architect was building a house. He insisted that if the first window was round, every window must be round. If the first door was oak, every door must be oak. His house was the most beautiful in the city because of its perfect symmetry.
Word Web
챌린지
Look at your last three sent emails. Find one list and check if it follows parallel structure. If not, rewrite it!
문화 노트
Parallelism is highly valued in 'elevator pitches' and resumes. It signals a logical, organized mind.
Strict adherence to parallelism is expected in essays. Breaking it is often seen as a sign of poor education.
Parallelism is used in 'Mission Statements' to create a memorable, punchy brand voice.
From the Greek 'parallelos' (beside each other). It has been a core principle of rhetoric since Ancient Greece.
대화 시작하기
What are three things you love doing on the weekend?
If you were the president, what three things would you change first?
Describe your ideal job in three adjectives.
What are the qualities of a great leader?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
올바른 문장을 고르세요:
reading, running, music)이 동명사 또는 명사로 일관된 문법 형태를 유지하고 있어요.Find and fix the mistake:
The candidate was `intelligent`, `experienced`, and `a hard worker`.
intelligent, experienced)와 명사구(a hard worker)를 섞고 있어요. Hard-working은 형용사이므로 병렬 구조를 만들어 줍니다.My goals for this year are `learning a new skill`, `traveling to a new country`, and ___ `more regularly`.
learning, traveling)이므로, 세 번째 항목도 병렬 구조를 유지하기 위해 동명사여야 해요.Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /4
연습 문제
8 exercisesFind and fix the mistake:
He likes to swim, hiking, and to run.
Select the correct sentence:
She is not only a great singer but also ___.
The study was expensive, time-consuming, and it was difficult.
To succeed is to work hard and staying focused.
Identify the non-parallel list:
I want to lose weight, ___.
1. Noun, 2. Gerund, 3. Clause
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesThe film was `dark`, `gritty`, and sometimes quite ___.
어떤 문장이 올바른가요?
My hobbies include `hiking`, `playing guitar`, and `to cook`.
'Él es inteligente, ambicioso y trabajador.'를 영어로 번역하세요.
이 단어들을 문장으로 배열하세요:
시작 구문과 문법적으로 병렬인 목록을 짝지으세요:
She handled the crisis `calmly`, `decisively`, and ___.
The restaurant serves `fresh` seafood, `delicious` pasta, and `their desserts are amazing`.
이 문장들 중 문법적으로 올바른 것은 무엇인가요?
문장의 시작 부분과 올바른 병렬 끝 부분을 짝지으세요:
'Ella es dedicada, creativa y confiable.'를 영어로 번역하세요.
Score: /11
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
No, you can say 'to eat, to sleep, and to dream' OR 'to eat, sleep, and dream.' Just don't mix them like 'to eat, sleep, and to dream.'
Technically yes, because gerunds function as nouns (e.g., 'I like pizza and swimming'). However, for stylistic C1 writing, it is often better to keep them identical.
Yes! If your first bullet point starts with a verb, all of them should start with a verb in the same tense.
It is when you attempt to create a list but use different grammatical forms, like 'He is smart and a hard worker.'
Absolutely. Whatever follows 'either' must match whatever follows 'or.' For example: 'either at home or at work.'
It helps the listener follow your logic. If your structure is messy, the listener has to work harder to understand you.
Usually no. If you are listing actions in the past, keep them all in the past: 'He came, he saw, he conquered.'
Yes, the rules of parallelism are universal across all standard dialects of English.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Paralelismo
English uses gerunds for 'enjoying' activities; Spanish uses infinitives.
Parallélisme
French repeats prepositions more frequently than English.
Parallelismus
German requires case matching across the list.
並列構造 (Heiretsu kōzō)
Japanese uses specific grammatical markers (particles) to signal parallelism.
التوازي (al-tawāzī)
Arabic often repeats the conjunction 'and' between every item.
排比 (Páibǐ)
Chinese parallelism often focuses on matching the number of syllables.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
관련 동영상
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