Decoding the Parallel Structure Code
2. Nailing Noun Parallelism
Let's break down the different forms parallel structure can take, starting with nouns. If you're listing nouns, make sure they're all... well, nouns! Don't mix in a verb, an adjective, or some other random part of speech. Keep it consistent.
For example, instead of saying: "I enjoy reading, hiking, and to swim," you'd say: "I enjoy reading, hiking, and swimming." Notice how "swimming" keeps the -ing form consistent, just like "reading" and "hiking." Its about maintaining that grammatical harmony.
Another example: Instead of "The committee needed leadership, organization, and a strong will," youd say "The committee needed leadership, organization, and determination." Here, all elements are abstract nouns describing qualities needed by the committee.
Its helpful to consciously analyze each element in your list, ensuring they fulfill the same grammatical function within the sentence. Think of it like lining up soldiers they all need to be facing the same direction!
3. Verb Power
Verbs also demand parallelism. If you're listing verbs, make sure they're in the same tense and form. Mixing past, present, and future tenses in a list can create a jarring effect. Maintain consistency in your action words!
Instead of writing: "She likes to sing, dancing, and will act," go for: "She likes to sing, dance, and act." Notice how all three verbs are in the infinitive form (to + verb) or the base form when implied after "like." This creates a sense of balance and rhythm.
Another case: Instead of saying, "He walked to the store, purchased milk, and is going home," say "He walked to the store, purchased milk, and went home." Maintaining the past tense ("walked," "purchased," "went") ensures a smooth and logical sequence of actions.
When dealing with verb phrases (e.g., "is walking," "will be walking"), ensure that all elements in the series maintain the same structure. For example, "She is reading a book, is writing a letter, and is painting a picture" works better than "She is reading a book, writing a letter, and will paint a picture." Consistency is key!
