What is parallel structure in writing?

Parallel structure, or parallelism, is the use of consistent grammatical forms in a list or series within a sentence. It enhances clarity and balance, making the writing more effective and easier to read.

Which of the following sentences uses parallel structure correctly?

The correct sentence is: 'She enjoys reading, writing, and painting.' This maintains the same verb form (gerunds) across the series.

What is the key rule for maintaining parallel structure in lists?

All items in a list must be in the same grammatical form. For example, if the first item is a noun, all subsequent items should also be nouns.

Choose the correctly structured sentence: 'He likes to swim, biking, and to run.'

The correct structure is: 'He likes to swim, to bike, and to run.' This ensures that all items in the list begin with 'to' + verb.

Identify the error in the following sentence: 'The project requires creativity, dedication, and to work hard.'

The error is in mixing forms. The correct version is: 'The project requires creativity, dedication, and hard work.' All items must be nouns.

What tip can help avoid errors in parallel structure?

When listing items, ensure that each element is formatted consistently. A good practice is to say the list out loud to check for any awkwardness or inconsistency.

Fill in the blank to create a parallel structure: 'The teacher encouraged the students to study hard, _____, and to participate in class.'

The correct phrase to fill in is 'to ask questions.' The complete sentence reads: 'The teacher encouraged the students to study hard, to ask questions, and to participate in class.'

Which of the following phrases is NOT an example of parallel structure? 'He wanted to go running, to swim, and hiking.'

The phrase 'and hiking' is not parallel. The correct version would be: 'He wanted to go running, to swim, and to hike.' All items should begin with 'to' + verb.