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Parallel structure means using the same grammatical pattern within phrases and clauses. The means making sure that all of the verbs are consistent in form and arranging phrases and clauses within a sentence to follow the same grammatical pattern. The goal of parallel structure is also to eliminate unnecessary words and repetition. One of the major rules of writing is the fewer words, the better! If you can say something in 5 words instead of 10, why wouldnt you? Fewer words allow you (and your reader) to get to the point more quickly and clearly. Parallel structure means you are dealing with one of two things: pairs [a and b/a or b] or series [a, b, and c/a, b, or c]. the letter a, b, c, etc. stand for words or groups of words. Any words or groups of words you put into a sentence should be in the same form or follow the same pattern. For example: Pairs: running and jumping annoyed and frustrated laughing or crying ugly shoes and pretty dresses (adj. + plural noun) Series: grumpy, hungry, and tired (all adjectives) an old doll, a teddy bear, and a warm blanket (adj. + noun) eating, drinking, and talking cleaned, painted, and decorated
Achieving parallel structure is relatively easy. It is all about grammatical balance. Look for it when you read: experienced writers often use it because it creates a sense of fluidity (flow) in their writing. The children are energetic and noisy. = adjective + adjective She bought a skirt and a blouse. = noun + noun He walked slowly and confidently to the witness stand. = adverb + adverb Swimming and hiking are my favorite summer activities. = gerund + gerund
Original: Better: Original: Better: Original: Better: Original: Better: The children were running and jumped around. The children were running and jumping. I am grumpy, hungry, and I feel tired. I am grumpy, hungry, and tired. My little sisters favorite things are her doll that is old, a teddy bear, and a blanket that is warm. My little sisters favorite things are an old doll, a teddy bear, and a warm blanket. I like to hike, shopping, and to cook food. I like to hike, to shop, and to cook. OR I like hiking, shopping, and cooking. I have so many home improvement projects to do this summer, like painting, I have to put up cabinets, and then there is the job of replacing all of the windows in the house. I have many home improvement projects to do this summer, like painting walls, putting up cabinets, and replacing windows. OR This summer, I have many home improvement projects to do: paint walls, put up cabinets, and replace windows. I lived in Berrien Springs, and then I decided to move to Mount Pleasant, and finally ended up downstate in Lansing. I lived in Berrien Springs, Mount Pleasant, and Lansing. OR I moved from Berrien Springs to Mount Pleasant to Lansing.
Original: Better:
Original: Better:
The doctor worked many hours a week and a lot of lives were saved by him. The doctor worked many hours a week and saved a lot of lives.
There are many different modes of transportation available to people living in the city: the train, subways, they can take the bus, and taxis. There are many different modes of transportation available to people living in the city: trains, subways, buses, and taxis.