Improving Style Through Syntax, Part 15: Keeping Parallel Form

Over the past 15 years, I have written extensively in this blog about parallel structure: in a two-part series (4/29-5//05/05), a follow-up three-part series (3/15-29/15), a 20-part series "Starting with What Matters" (12/17/17-5/3/18), a 25-part series "Splendid Sentences" (11/27/18-7/26/18), and a post on plain language  (3/7/16). I have heard more than once that my interest in parallelism borders on obsession. Maybe so, but I am convinced that understanding and using this grammatical device will improve your writing style. 

Parallel structure requires us to write like ideas in grammatically consistent terms. Here are some examples with the nonparallel words and phrases struck through and the preferable parallel words italicized:

• Parallel Verbs – Call the client, post the invoice, and an email should be sent to email the project manager.
• Parallel Nouns – She will meet the supervisor, dispatcher, and the staff person who does the price estimating estimator. 
• Parallel Adjectives –  The director is articulate, thoughtful, and he is really kind to his staff kind.

To get a better picture of parallel  structure, read the posts noted in the first paragraph. In the next post, I'll explore when breaking parallel form makes sense.

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Read previous posts in this series:

Part 1: Grouping and Dropping Prepositional Phrases

Part 2: Dropping Pronouns for Clarity

Part 3: Dropping Pronouns for Conciseness

Part 4: Avoiding—No, Managing—the Comma Splice

Part 5: Remedying Run-ons

Part 6: Freeing Fragments

Part 7: Placing Adverbs

Part 8: Placing Adjectives

Part 9: Placing Prepositional Phrases

Part 10: Placing Conjunctions

Part 11: Placing Interjections

Part 12: Placing Verbs

Part 13: Placing Nouns

Part 14: Placing Pronouns