Parallel structure

We should use a parallel structure to make your writing more effective. Be sure that all the items are in the same grammatical form when writing a series of words or phrases in a sentence. You may use a parallel structure in different situations:

Verbs: the form of the verb needs to be the same.

• WRONG: I like eating pizza, listening to music, and to play soccer.

• CORRECT: I like eating pizza, listening to music, and playing soccer.

Verb + noun: some nouns ask for specific verbs.

• WRONG: They read books and music.

• CORRECT: They read books and listen to music.

Noun number: agree singular, plural, countable, and uncountable.

• WRONG: They sell pineapples, oranges, and an apple in the supermarket.

• CORRECT: They sell pineapples, oranges, and apples in the supermarket.

Subject matter: everything discussed in the sentence should be related, so the connection is clear to the reader.

• WRONG: I finished my project, and I ate cake.

• CORRECT: I finished my project, and I ate cake to celebrate.

Punctuation: when writing lists or series.

• WRONG: My cousin traveled to Bogotá, Colombia, New York, USA; and Barcelona, Spain

• CORRECT: My cousin traveled to Bogotá, Colombia; New York, USA; and Barcelona, Spain.