Parallel Structure

When we write lists, it is important for us to remember to use parallel structure. Parallel structure means using the same parts of speech (or kinds of phrases) for each item in the list.

Let’s look at these examples to see what parallel structure should look like:

Bad Example Orlando needs to learn to wrestle, flirt, and poems.

The problem here is “poems”; the first two items in the list are verbs, but “poems” is a noun. The correction is as follows:

Good Example Orlando needs to learn to wrestle, flirt, and write poems.

Now, all three items are verbs.

Exercises

In the following exercises, circle the word that does not follow parallel structure and explain why it is not parallel. If all of the items are parallel, write “correct” under the sentence.

1. She should breathe, relax, and perspective.

2. My favorite sports are football, playing rugby, and basketball.

3. The world is cold, lonely, and darkens quickly.

4. We could go to the store or to a movie.

5. The boss asked him to make more documents, to proofread them, and filing them.

6. To be or not being, that is the question.

7. Daggers, poisoned swords, and perform are Hamlet’s favorite weapons.

8. Smoke, shampoo, and bad grammar all make my eyes sting.

 

Answers

1. perspective – this word is a noun, and the others are verbs, so it is not parallel

2. playing rugby – this is a gerund phrase, but the others are nouns, so it is not parallel

3. darkens quickly – this is a verb phrase, but the others are adjectives, so it is not parallel

4. correct

5. filing – this is a present participle, but the others are infinitive phrases, so it is not parallel

6. To be AND not being – since neither matches the other, neither is parallel, but one needs to be fixed.

7. perform – this is a verb, but the others are nouns, so it is not parallel

8. correct

 

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