WR2 - Writing Conventions Continued Lesson
Writing Conventions Continued
Parallel Structure
Parallel structure is another advanced skill used in higher-level writing. When including a list or a series of information, writers should make sure to use parallel structure by repeating a chosen grammatical form in the list or series. View the examples of parallel structure below:
Not Parallel: Sam likes to fish, to run, and playing video games.
(This series contains two infinitives and a gerund)
Parallel: Sam likes to fish, to run, and to play video games.
(This series contains all infinitives)
Parallel: Sam likes fishing, running, and playing video games.
(This series contains all gerunds)
In the first example using parallel structure, readers can see that the first two actions use infinitive phrases: "to fish" and "to run". However, the last action in the series uses a gerund.
In the second example using parallel structure, readers can see that the first two actions use gerunds: "fishing" and "running". However, the last action in the series uses an infinitive phrase.
Overall, parallel structure means that each item or action in the series reveals the same grammatical structure—do not mix grammatical forms. Therefore, if each action takes the form of an infinitive phrase, the series is parallel. Similarly, if each action takes the form of a gerund, the series is parallel.
View another example of parallel structure using clauses below:
Not Parallel: The teacher told the students that they should complete their homework, that they should study for the test tomorrow, and to eat a healthy breakfast before school in the morning.
(The clause of "that they" should continue throughout the series)
Parallel: The teacher told the students that they should complete their homework, that they should study for the test tomorrow, and that they should eat a healthy breakfast before school in the morning.
(The clause of "that they" continues throughout the series and creates parallel structure)
Similar to items in a series receiving the same grammatical structure, if a series begins with a clause, the same clause must continue throughout the sentence to create parallel structure.
Parallel Structure Self-Assessment
Subject/Verb Agreement
In order to strengthen writing, make sure that the subjects in all sentences agree with the verbs. Therefore, if a sentence contains a singular subject, the verb must be singular. Similarly, if a sentence contains a plural subject, the verb must be plural. View the examples of subject/verb agreement below:
Subject and Verb Agree: Jane goes to the gym every day.
(This sentence has a singular subject of "Jane" and a singular verb of "goes")
Subject and Verb Do Not Agree: Jane and Mallory goes to the gym every day.
(This sentence has a plural subject of "Jane and Mallory" and a singular verb of "goes")
Subject and Verb Agree: Jane and Mallory go to the gym every day.
(This sentence has a plural subject of "Jane and Mallory" and a plural verb of "go")
Some subject/verb agreement errors can be difficult to identify.
Subject/Verb Agreement Self-Assessment
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