Writing Book 6 · Lesson 20

Parallel structure in a list

Parallel structure: items in a series are built the same way.

What it is

Items in a list must be built the same way. When one is a full clause, one is passive and one is an -ing word, the reader trips — not because the facts are wrong, but because the shape keeps changing. Fix it by putting every item in the form of the first.

Watch it built

1
A list whose three items are three different shapes.
We measured the rainfall, the temperature was recorded, and checking the soil.
2
Name the shape of the first item and hold it.
measured — a plain past-tense verb after we
3
Rebuild the other two to match.
We measured the rainfall, recorded the temperature, and checked the soil.

One more

She likes reading, to swim, and hiking.
↓
She likes reading, swimming, and hiking.
Remember
Every item in a list takes the shape of the first.
Ask yourself: “Do all my items start the same kind of word?”

Remember

Every item in a list takes the shape of the first.

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