Which sentence uses correct parallel structure our three main objectives

Unless otherwise noted, content in this chapter has been adapted from the Communicating for Results: A Canadian Student’s Guide (3rd Edition) textbook by Carolyn Meyer.

Good writing is very “readable”. In other words, good writers employ strategies that make it easy for their readers to understand their writing.

After completing this chapter, you will be able to

• Be consistent in your use of pronouns, verb tense, and active/passive voice (Meyer, 2014, p. 105-106)
• Apply parallel structure (Meyer, 2014, p. 106-107)

Observing the rules of consistency — by sticking to certain grammatical principles and patterns that shape your writing — is another good way to avoid  unreadable sentences.

Be consistent in number. Don’t switch from singular to plural when referring to a particular thing.

Women have made considerable strides in their [not her] chosen fields.

Be consistent in person. Don’t shift the frame of reference from first person I to second person you or third person he/she/one.

Before you apply for a permit, you [not one] must show proof of Canadian citizenship or landed immigrant status.

Watch this video to learn more about using pronouns consistently and correctly.

Be consistent in verb tense. Show time changes only when logic requires them.

When the CEO entered the auditorium, the crowd applauded [not applauds] wildly.

Be consistent in voice. Don’t shift unnecessarily from active to passive voice.

Financial analysts expect continued growth in the third quarter but anticipate weakness in the tourism sector [not weakness in the tourism sector is anticipated].

Sentences that contain lists or comparison need parallel structure.  Parallelism creates a good rhythm in a sentence and also ensures that each item in the list or comparison is given equal weight. When items are in parallel, each item is expressed in the same grammatical term. In other words, you can have a list of nouns, or a list of verbs, or a list of adjectives, but you cannot have a list that mixes nouns, verbs, and adjectives

Examples of Parallel Structure

Parallelism also applies to statements of comparison. It is important to balance these constructions for readability and rhetorical force.

Watch these videos to further increase your understanding of parallel structure:

Additional Resources for Improving Writing

Try this Linkedin Learning course called Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. When you complete the course, you can add the certificate to your Linkedin profile.

In grammar, parallelism, also known as parallel structure or parallel construction, is a balance within one or more sentences of similar phrases or clauses that have the same grammatical structure. The application of parallelism affects readability and may make texts easier to process.

This sentence shows good parallel structure, and you can see this in the underlined phrasesA set of words that express an idea. A phrase may or may not form a complete sentence.: take the train, ride the bus, and drive the car. All three groups of words are the same type of phrase—in this case, they are verbal phrasesA verbal and any of its modifiers, objects, or compliments. (A verbal is a verb in the sentence acting like a noun or adjective. Example: Running is a great form of exercise has the verbal Running.) An example of a verbal phrase: In the sentence Running to the store was one of his least favorite activities, the verbal phrase is Running to the store. —and have the same function in the sentence.

The group must decide whether to take the train, on the bus, or finding someone to drive the car.

This version of the sentence is more difficult to read because each word grouping in the series is written differently. In fact, each one is a different type of phrase. A good way to check for good parallel structure is to make sure that each phrase in a series flows with the rest of the sentence on its own.

Writing sentences that have good parallel structure means that you use the same grammatical structure for all the parts in the sentence. There are a number of ways to use parallel structure when writing, but some of the most common uses are when you are listing items in a series (list), joining clausesA group of words in a sentence that contains a subject and a predicate. or phrases, or comparingTo draw similarities between people, objects, or concepts. and contrastingTo identify what is different between people, objects, or concepts..

Review the following sentences that have faulty parallelism and see how they can be corrected.

1. Dental assisting is a job that requires certain skills, such as clear communication, keeping records, and working with patients.

This sentence does not show parallel structure in the list of skills. It can be corrected by revising it so the skills listed are presented in the same way.

Correct: Dental assisting is a job that requires certain skills, such as communicating clearly, keeping records, and working with patients

1.  Students who graduate from an accredited program, received training, and will complete internships will be the first to find jobs in their field.

This sentence does not show parallel structure in the three phrases it uses to describe the students. Although the elements are all verb phrases, mixing past, present, and future tenses is not logical parallel structure.

Correct: Students who graduate from an accredited program, receive training, and complete internships will be the first to find jobs in their field.

1. They will not only make a good living, they will find much satisfaction in their work.

This sentence is trying to show that students who become dental assistants will achieve two things; however, because the sentence is not using parallel structure, it can be more difficult to read and understand those two things.

Correct: They will not only make a good living, but they will also find much satisfaction in their work.

What sentence uses correct parallel structure?

What are the three rules to consider when using parallel structures in your writing?

Which sentence uses correct parallel structure Enrique promises to arrive on time and to work with a smile mom bakes a cake buys a present and can hang up decorations?

How do you find the parallel structure?