1. Parallel Structure Part II Coordinating conjunctions are used to join words in a series. And, but, or, nor, for, so, yet

2. Examples of Parallel Structure Words in a series: I saw John and Mary. I saw John, Bill, and Mary.

3. Examples of Parallel Structure Phrases in a series: I see him going to work and coming home. I plan to eat in a restaurant and to see a movie.

4. Examples of Parallel Structure Dependent clauses in a series: The phone rang when I reached the motel but before I unpacked my suitcase. I liked the parrot, so I bought it for my mother. Independent clauses in a series:

5. Reminder About Comma Usage Commas and sometimes semicolons mark the divisions of items in a series within a sentence. Commas are the most common dividers: The ethics of contemporary surgery are often a problem for the patient, the doctor, and the patient's family.

6. Reminder About Comma Usage When commas occur within one or more of the items in a series, semicolons mark the division between items: Key air routs include Lisbon, Portugal; Rome, Italy; Frankfurt, Germany; and Istanbul, Turkey.