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making a list?
When items in sentences follow similar patterns of language, they are described as parallel. Parallel structure makes your writing easier to read and understand.
When possible, make compound items parallel.Don’t confuse your readers by requiring them to untangle subjects, verbs, modifiers, or other items that could easily be parallel.
| NOT PARALLEL | Becoming a lawyer and to write a novel are Casey’s goals. |
| PARALLEL | Becoming a lawyer and writing a novel are Casey’s goals. |
| NOT PARALLEL | The college will demolish its aging stadium and bricks from it are being sold. |
| PARALLEL | The college will demolish its aging stadium and sell the bricks. |
| NOT PARALLEL | The TV anchor reported the story thoroughly and with compassion. |
| PARALLEL | The TV anchor reported the story thoroughly and compassionately. |
Keep items in a series parallel.This means that once you start a series, all the items in it should share the same form or structure. You might have a series of adjectives (tough, smart, and aggressive), adverbs (slowly and carefully), participles (kicking, screaming, and giggling), infinitives (to break the siege and to free the hostages), and so on.
| NOT PARALLEL | She was a fine rookie teacher — eager, very patient, and gets her work done. |
| PARALLEL | She was a fine rookie teacher — eager, very patient, and conscientious. |
| NOT PARALLEL | We expected to rehabilitate the historic property, breaking even on the investment, and earn the goodwill of the community. |
| PARALLEL | We expected to rehabilitate the historic property, to break even on the investment, and to earn the goodwill of the community. |
| PARALLEL | We expected to rehabilitate the historic property, break even on the investment, and earn the goodwill of the community. |
Keep headings and lists parallel. If you use headings to break up the text of a document, use a similar language pattern and design for all of them. It may help to type the headings out separately from the text to make sure you are keeping them parallel. Items in a printed list should be parallel as well.