Writing Strong Sentences: Apply It

  • Explain techniques for writing effective sentences
  • Identify and use active voice in your writing

Practicing Proper Parallels

Parallel structure means using the same grammatical pattern for elements in a list or series. It makes your writing easier to read and more polished. In this activity, you’ll practice spotting and correcting sentences that do—or don’t—follow this rule.

Now that you’ve practiced identifying parallel structure, let’s take it a step further. In the questions below, choose the word or phrase that completes each sentence using correct parallel structure.

When writing a list or series, check that each item follows the same grammatical pattern by reading it out loud to catch anything that sounds off or out of sync.

Using parallel structure helps your writing sound smoother, clearer, and more professional—especially when listing ideas or actions. Even small changes in structure can affect how easy your message is to follow.