Chapter 4 of 10All chapters
Chapter 4 of 10
Parallel structure
Matching forms in a list.
The rule
Items joined by and, or, or a comparison must take the same grammatical form: three nouns, or three -ing verbs, not a mixture.
- Not only must be followed by but also, with matching structures either side.
- Comparisons must compare like things: her salary with his salary, not with him.
Spotting it
List the joined items vertically in your head. A mismatch becomes obvious as soon as they are lined up.