Parallel Construction
What's the Issue?
Using parallel structure helps make your writing clear and graceful. Lack of parallel structure can make a sentence weak or confusing.
Examples
In the sentences below, notice how the parallel sentences are easier to understand.
Non-parallel: The horse trotted, pranced, and was sashaying.
Parallel: The horse trotted, pranced, and sashayed.
Non-parallel: My main goals in life were to earn a good income and having children.
Parallel: My main goals in life were to earn money and have children.
Non-parallel: Acme Drugs can improve its profits by cutting production costs; increase its market share; and updating the automation process.
Parallel: Acme Drugs can improve its profits by cutting production costs; increasing its market share; and updating the automation process.
Non-parallel: The new policy is problematic because it is poorly written, undercuts the company's mission statement, and because of civil liberty issues.
Parallel: The new policy is problematic because it is poorly written, undercuts the company's mission, and ignores people's civil liberties.
Let's practice!
Make these sentences parallel.
- I like living in Bellevue because I can go fishing, sailing, or take a ski trip without driving very far.
- Sacramento has a great climate, excellent parks, and you can go to good plays and concerts.
- He can ski, swim, and he has even learned to sail a boat.
- The goals of this course are critical reading, careful writing, and being able to think clearly.
- I haven't decided whether to go into medicine or be a lawyer.
Possible Answers
- I like living in Bellevue because I can go fishing, sailing, or skiing without driving very far.
- Sacramento has a great climate, excellent parks, and high quality plays and concerts.
- He can ski, swim, and sail.
- The goals of this course are critical reading, careful writing, and lucid thinking.
- I haven't decided whether to go into medicine or to go into law.