Parallel Structure
📋 What it is
Items in a list or pair should share the same grammatical form.
🗣️ Coach says
When you list things, keep them in the same shape. “I like reading, writing, and to draw” trips because the last one breaks the pattern. Make them all -ing (or all “to”) and it reads smooth.
🧠 Memory hook
Same job → same form. Line up your list like matching train cars.
😂 Giggle
Why did the run-on sentence go to the doctor?
It just kept going and going and it never stopped and it needed help and the doctor said to take a period and call in the morning.
😲 Whoa!
Famous lines use parallelism for power: “of the people, by the people, for the people” — three matching shapes hit like a drumbeat.
✅ Quick check: Fix: “She likes to swim, to bike, and running.”
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
“…to swim, to bike, and to run” (or “swimming, biking, and running”) — make all three match.
Parallel items must share one grammatical form.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Write a list of 3 things you did today and make sure all three start the same way (all -ed, or all -ing).