Parallelism
1. Use parallel structure when expressing a list.Incorrect: The suspect had a scar on the right side of his face, a birthmark on his forehead, and was sporting a new beard.
Correct: The suspect had a scar on the right side of his face, a birthmark on his forehead, and a new beard.
2. Connect all parallel terms in a list with one conjunction and separate the list from the next clause with an additional conjunction.
Incorrect: The suspect had a scar on the right side of his face, a birthmark on his forehead, and ran toward the south when he heard the police siren.
Correct: The suspect had a scar on the right side of his face and a birthmark on his forehead, and ran toward the south when he heard the police siren.
3. Use parallel verb tenses when
one subject has multiple predicates.
Incorrect: The judge threw the gavel, yelled at the lawyer, and was overruling the objection for the twelfth time that day.Correct: The judge threw the gavel, yelled at the lawyer, and overruled the objection for the twelfth time that day.
Incorrect: I like cross examining witnesses in trials and to argue appeals as well.
Correct: I like cross examining witnesses in trials and arguing appeals as well.
4. Use parallel structure when
a sentence has multiple subjects.
Incorrect: The lawyer produced the gun, the judge accepted it into evidence, and it was removed from the courtroom by the bailiff.Correct: The lawyer produced the gun, the judge accepted it into evidence, and the bailiff removed it from the courtroom.
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