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Parallel Construction
Sentences and lists are awkward when they contain a series of items with inconsistent grammatical structure. But as your reader scans through a series of items with parallel grammatical structure, the relationships between different items of information become clear. Here’s an example:
Which of the two sentences below is easier to follow?
At the February meeting we will hold a discussion of the new health plan, whether to revise the procedures manual, and then a draft will be developed of the early retirement policy.
At the February meeting, we will discuss the new health plan, decide whether to revise the procedures manual, and draft an early retirement policy.
In the second example, the parallel verb tenses saved space and helped us grasp the ideas immediately. To help your writing flow smoothly and make sense, use the same format for items you present in a series.
The same approach applies to lists, which are much easier to read when the grammar is parallel.
Incorrect Example
The agenda for the March meeting includes the following goals:
- Discussion of the new health plan
- Whether to revise the procedures manual
- The early-retirement policy will change
Correct Example
The agenda for the March meeting includes the following goals:
- Discussing the new health plan
- Deciding whether to revise the procedures manual
- Revising the early-retirement policy
Parallel construction can help you organize your thoughts, make your writing flow smoothly, and make your meaning clear immediately. (Now that sentence is a good example of parallel construction!)
This tip was contributed by WriteItWell.com, your editing partner.
To learn more about parallel construction and effective writing, click here.
Due to the E-Newsletter's large readership, please submit your English usage questions through GrammarBook.com's "Grammar Blog." |
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Pop Quiz
Rewrite these sentences using parallel construction.
- Rita’s responsibilities include sorting the mail, answering the phone, and to run errands.
- We have asked managers to reduce travel budgets by 20 percent and that expense reports should be submitted weekly.
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 Wordplay
A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.
A boiled egg is hard to beat.
I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. I can't put it down.
I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time.
Pop Quiz Answers
The answers are in bold with the parallel words underlined.
Rewrite these sentences using parallel construction.
1.Rita’s responsibilities include sorting the mail, answering the phone, and to run errands.
1. Rita’s responsibilities include sorting the mail, answering the phone, and running errands.
2. We have asked managers to reduce travel budgets by 20 percent and that expense reports should be submitted weekly.
2. We have asked managers to reduce travel budgets by 20 percent and to submit expense reports weekly.
Learn all about who and whom, affect and effect, subjects and verbs, adjectives and adverbs, commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and much more by just sitting back and enjoying these easy-to-follow lessons. Tell your colleagues (and boss), children, teachers, and friends. Click here to watch. |
