Parallel Constructions
We use parallel constructions to show the relationships among similar ideas.
Normally, we may experience problems with parallelism when we create a series of things - a group of nouns, verbs, or phrases.
Given below is an example of a wrong sentence.
I learn reading, how to listen, how to speak and writing in school.
There are two items in this list are nouns ( reading and writing), and two of the items are infinitives (how to listen and how to speak).
One way to correct this faulty parallelism is to make all four elements into infinitives.
Correct: I learn how to read, how to listen, how to speak and how to write in school.
Let's look at other examples:
Lan has wit, charm and she has an extremely pleasant personality. ( Wrong)
Lan has wit, charm and a pleasant personality. ( Correct)
We found the film repulsive, offensive and we thought it was embarrassing. ( Wrong)
We found the film repulsive, offensive and embarrassing. (Correct)
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