Parallelism

What is Parallelism? A parallel sentence balances similar words, phrases, or clauses to create similar grammatical structure. The purpose of a parallel sentence is to improve writing style and clarity.

What is Parallelism? Margaret likes to cook, to read, and to write. Margaret likes to cook, read, and write. Margaret like to cook, reading, and writing. Margaret likes cooking, reading, and writing.

What is Parallelism? Margaret likes to cook, to read, and to write. Margaret likes to cook, read, and write. Margaret like to cook, reading, and writing. Margaret likes cooking, reading, and writing.

Infinitives vs. Gerunds Verbs in active voice are presented as either the infinitive version “to ---” Or the gerund ending “---ing” Ex. I like to swim. I like swimming.

What is Parallelism? Margaret likes to cook, to read, and to write. Margaret likes to cook, read, and write. Margaret like to cook, reading, and writing. Margaret likes cooking, reading, and writing.

Infinitives vs. Gerunds Margaret likes to cook, to read, and to write.

Infinitives vs. Gerunds Margaret likes to cook, read, and write.

Infinitives vs. Gerunds Stylistically better: Margaret likes to cook, to read, and to write

Infinitives vs. Gerunds Margaret likes cooking, reading, and writing.

Infinitives vs. Gerunds Margaret like to cook, reading, and writing.

FAULTY: Margaret like to cook, reading, and writing.

Parallelism with verbs is simple Margaret likes to cook, to read, and to write. Margaret likes to cook, read, and write. Margaret like to cook, reading, and writing. Margaret likes cooking, reading, and writing.

Parallelism with Phrases can be tricky Jack is a playwright, loves to play sports, and reads.

Tip to Improve on Style Jack is a playwright, loves to play sports, and reads books. Stylistically better: Jack is a playwright, is an athlete, and is a reader. Jack writes plays, plays sports, and reads books.

So!? -Don’t mix “infinitives” with “gerunds” -Use stylistically similar phrasing

Can you fix these sentences! 1)Jeff liked to play sports and riding horses. 2)Bob went to the farm, the mall, and the arcade. 3)Josh is writing a book, reading a newspaper, and laughs at a joke.