What is Parallel Structure?
Parallel structure means using the same grammatical construction for two or more words, phrases, or clauses that are similar in meaning or function. It helps to make writing clear, concise, and easy to understand.
Examples of Parallel Structure:
* Correct: She likes to read books, watch movies, and play games.
* Incorrect: She likes to read books, watching movies, and play games.
Phrases That Break Parallel Structure
To break parallel structure, you'd use different grammatical forms for similar elements:
* "He is a good student, he enjoys learning, and he's smart."
* This breaks parallel structure because the first two phrases use participial phrases ("being a good student," "enjoying learning"), while the last uses an adjective ("smart").
* "She likes to eat pizza, go to the movies, and she enjoys reading."
* Here, the first two phrases use infinitives ("to eat," "to go"), while the last uses a verb phrase ("she enjoys reading").
Why is Parallel Structure Important?
* Clarity: It makes your writing easier to follow.
* Rhythm: It creates a pleasing rhythm in your sentences.
* Emphasis: It can emphasize the points you're trying to make.
Let me know if you'd like more examples of phrases that break parallel structure!