Chapter 3 — Parallel structure

The essentials in four points:

• Elements linked by and, or, but must share the same form: swimming, hiking, and riding (not to ride).
• After correlatives both… and, either… or, not only… but also, the two members are symmetrical: both by its clarity and by its depth.
• Parallelism applies to nouns, verbs, adjectives, prepositional phrases and whole clauses.

Parallel structure is the golden rule of lists: elements coordinated by and, or, but or by correlatives must share the same grammatical form. It is one of the easiest points to automate — and one of the most frequent on the test.

1. Spot the series and its template. The first element (or first two) sets the form; the last one, often underlined, must conform.
✔ to read critically, to write clearly, and to speak persuasively (infinitives)
✔ reducing costs, improving quality, and increasing satisfaction (gerunds)
✔ discipline, motivation, and organization (nouns)

2. Correlatives demand symmetry. Both… and, either… or, neither… nor, not only… but also: what follows the first term must mirror what follows the second.
✔ impressed both by the clarity and by the thoroughness of the report
✘ impressed both by the clarity and its thoroughness pleased them

3. Parallelism of clauses. Two adjective phrases then a full clause = a break: well organized, clearly written, and it contains many examples → full of useful examples.