Welcome to this week's writing lesson from

 MyEnglishTeacher.net

Yes, there is something wrong.  Did you find the problem?  Well, if you didn't find the problem, keep reading, and we'll tell you later.  

Did you ever pick up a book and read something like this:

Hopefully, you haven't seen too much of this type of writing.  Although there are some situations where this form of writing is necessary (maybe for emphasis), it is usually not necessary to repeat words over and over again.  We can write the above sentences like this:

Taking out repetitive words and combining similar sentences and ideas is called parallel structure, parallel construction, and parallelism.   In parallel structure, it is important to group similar ideas and items together.  For example, in the three sentences above, the words Carol picked up her... repeat.  Additionally, the words that do NOT repeat are all nouns: books, pens, and jacket.  Since books, pens, and jacket are all nouns, they can be grouped together.  Thus, we can correctly write the following:

Notice that the commas are placed after each noun in the list except the last one.  For more information about commas, please see our previous lesson about commas.  

When using parallel structure, the main rule to remember is that the things in the list must be the same grammatical form.  This is best summed up in the following:

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Take a look at this sentence:

If the preposition or article (a, an, the) is the same for all items in the list, the writer can decide to include them in all of the items or write it just in the first.  Therefore, the above sentence is incorrect.   The items in the list are work, a restaurant, and the movies.  However, the writer used the preposition to with the first and third items only.   

Here is another example:

The preposition is in.  When proofreading, ask yourself, "Is this the correct word for each item?"

The correct preposition for noon is at.  Therefore, we must write

Some words and verbs use prepositions as well.   Look at this example:

What are the words in the parallel structure?  They are interested and excited.  When the writer wrote excited, she also correctly wrote about.  How about interested?  Do you use about with interested?  Let's do the proofreading test that we learned above.

The correct preposition used with interested is in.  Therefore, the above sentence is INCORRECT.   The correct preposition must be used in each item of the parallel structure.  The following is correct:

For a list of common verbs with prepositions, click here.  

There are a number of situations which require you to use parallel structure.  They are

Remember the rule of parallel structure: the words in the list must be the same grammatical form.  In this situation, the X and Y must be the same grammatical form.  Many common problems with parallel structure can be easily corrected.  Look at the chart of examples below.

When using the above constructions, the X and Y must be the same grammatical forms:  both nouns, both infinitives, both prepositional phrases, both gerunds, or both clauses.

The words in the list of items are not the same: boring and silly are adjectives; however, was too long begins with a verb.

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Quiz time

Directions: Read the following sentences.  If the sentence is correct, don't change anything.  If the sentence is incorrect, find the parallel structure problem and fix it.

1. The factory workers were ready, able, and were quite determined to do a great job.

2. The computer network is safer, stronger, and more secure. 

3.  We cannot be worried or terrified of difficulties in life. 

4.  The actor taught his student how to read, how to stand, how to cry, and to talk with fans. 

5.  The requirements for a chemistry degree are not as strict as a medical degree.

6.  Either you can join the army or the navy.

7.  The reorganization of the company is neither simple nor it will be cheap.  

8.  When I was in high school, I learned piano and how to play the guitar.

9.  Fred supports the idea because, first, its simplicity; second, it is unique.

10.  They are either our friends or they are not.

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