| Parallelism means that words used in pairs or groups should all have the same gram-matical form (verbs and verbs; nouns, nouns, and nouns; gerunds and gerunds, etc.) When using words or phrases with coordinating conjunctions or in a series, make sure that they follow the same grammatical structure. For example, | Terry likes swimming and to dive. Terry likes swimming and diving. Terry likes to swim and (to) dive. I’m taking history, math, and chemical. I’m taking history, math, and chemistry. | (Incorrect: not parallel) (Correct) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct) | Sometimes repeated words, such as auxiliary verbs, can be deleted in parallel constructions. I have been to Paris and saw the Eiffel Tower. I have been to Paris and have seen the Eiffel Tower. I have been to Paris and seen the Eiffel Tower. Is she coming to the party or go to a movie? Is she coming to the party or going to a movie? | (Incorrect) (Okay) (Better) (Incorrect) (Correct) | |
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