parallel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "parallel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe things that are similar, comparable, or occurring at the same time. Example: "The two projects run parallel to each other, allowing for efficient resource sharing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first academic casualty of the Boston College-Jean McConville furore has been a parallel project which was to involve a London-based historian and an ex-RUC officer as well as retired members of the Garda Siochana in the Irish Republic, all with long records in fighting terrorism.

The Guardian

Take those 327,452 tweets a minute (not to mention a parallel tsunami from Facebook and the rest).

The Guardian

He often blames developments he dislikes on the so-called "parallel state" supposedly made up of traitors, misfits and miscreants, more often than not in league with Fethullah Gülen, an exiled former ally and fellow Islamist with whom he is now involved in a long-running feud.

The Guardian

There is an interesting parallel with Harold Wilson and Jim Callaghan before the 1975 referendum, who trotted round the capitals of Europe getting a packet of matches rather than a cigar and hailed this as a great triumph".

The Guardian

Celtic had issued a statement declaring they were "surprised by the parallel conclusion that no competitive advantage was gained from these arrangements".

The Guardian - Sport

As Russell walked through Glasgow Cross, he said, he saw the helicopter flying westwards over the Saltmarket main road and railway bridges that run parallel to it, only a few hundred metres east of the Clutha Vaults.

The Guardian

Under Mississippi rules all voters, regardless of affiliation, are permitted to vote in the GOP primary, as long as they do not also cast a vote in the parallel Democratic primary.

The Guardian

A parallel government crisis, tangentially related to the euro, sparked early elections and another change of regime in Slovenia.

The Guardian - Business

It is also a parallel universe where when a young woman faced with the loss of housing benefit and loss of shelter doesn't make a decision to get pregnant and thereby keep her housing benefit.

The Guardian

It's then expected to weaken as it moves westward parallel to the Top End north coast on Monday.

The Guardian

One of Blake's heroes is Mala, the dubstep pioneer who shook dub's steady beats on to a parallel axis – Blake traces the line further, going past Burial's night bus and into the coffee house and the jazz club.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "parallel" to describe processing tasks, be clear that such processing occurs simultaneously. For example, say "parallel processing" instead of "parallel" if that's exactly what you mean.

Common error

Avoid using "parallel" when you actually mean 'similar but distinct'. "Parallel" implies a closer relationship, often suggesting simultaneous occurrence or equal importance. If the elements are merely alike, opt for "similar" or "comparable" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "parallel" functions primarily as an adjective describing the relationship between two or more entities, indicating they are equidistant and never meet, or that they are analogous. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys the concept of similarity or concurrence in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Sport

9%

Opinion

8%

Less common in

Business

5%

Tech

1%

Travel

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "parallel" is a versatile word used to describe relationships of similarity, concurrence, or alignment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage across various contexts. It is frequently employed in news, sports, and opinion pieces, denoting that the word holds a neutral formality. While commonly used, it's crucial to ensure you are implying the correct meaning when employing "parallel"; use "similar" when describing general resemblance and reserve "parallel" for direct correspondence or simultaneous events. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively use "parallel" in your writing to create precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

corresponding

Indicates a direct relationship or similarity, often used when elements match or align closely.

analogous

Implies a similarity in some respects between things otherwise dissimilar.

equivalent

Signifies being equal in value, force, or meaning.

similar

Denotes a general resemblance without implying exact correspondence.

comparable

Suggests that two or more things can be compared because they share common features.

concurrent

Refers to events or processes happening at the same time.

aligned

Indicates that things are in agreement or cooperation.

harmonious

Suggests a pleasing or congruent arrangement, often in a more abstract sense.

matching

Describes things that are identical or very similar.

related

Indicates a connection or association between two or more things.

FAQs

How is the word "parallel" used in a sentence?

The word "parallel" can be used to describe lines that never meet, events that happen at the same time, or situations that are similar. For example: "The roads run "parallel to" the river" or "There are "parallel struggles" being fought on the street."

What words can I use instead of "parallel"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "analogous", "corresponding", "similar", or "equivalent" as alternatives to "parallel".

Which is correct: "parallel to" or "parallel with"?

"Parallel to" is the generally accepted and more common usage when indicating direction or alignment, although "parallel with" isn't strictly wrong. "Parallel to" is preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "parallel" and "similar"?

"Parallel" implies a direct correspondence or simultaneous occurrence, whereas "similar" simply means having common qualities or features. For example, "parallel lines" never intersect, indicating a direct correspondence in direction, while similar ideas share common themes but may differ in execution.