Your writing will be clearer if you use parallel construction. When you list items they should be in similar form.

Here are some examples of correct parallel structure.

The new player is strong, clever and intelligent. (Here the items listed are all adjectives – strong, clever and intelligent)

My mother likes knitting, painting and playing cards. (Here the items listed are all gerunds – knitting, painting and playing.)

Exercise

Identify and correct the mistakes in parallel structure in the following sentences.

1. I swept the yard, weeded the garden and was washing the clothes.

2. James decided to get up early, practice some yoga and ate healthy foods.

3. Although I trained hard, practiced every day and was listening to my trainer, I never won a tournament.

4. I wish he would listen to me, take my advice and stopped smoking.

5. He is an articulate, intelligent and thoughtfully speaker.

Answers

1. I swept the yard, weeded the garden and washed the clothes.

2. James decided to get up early, practice some yoga and eat healthy foods.

3. Although I trained hard, practiced every day and listened to my trainer, I never won a tournament.

4. I wish he would listen to me, take my advice and stop smoking.

5. He is an articulate, intelligent and thoughtful speaker.