8. Follow your rhythm / Parallel Structure

8. Follow your rhythm:

In a series of verb phrases or items, follow the rhythm you create in the first verb phrase or item.

Ex= I want to run in the morning, swim in the afternoon, and read in the evening.

Parallel structure: a sentence pattern in which related words, clauses, or phrases follow similar patterns and echo each other’s rhythms. The shared pattern is a requirement and is usually established by the first two words, clauses, or phrases in series of three words, clauses or phrases. The shared pattern reinforces the notion that these ideas are related and brings rhythm and structure to your sentence.

-use parallel construction for nouns in a series. If an article or preposition applies to all members of a series, then it is either used once before the first term or used before each term :

-present expressions of similar content and function in similar form:

“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” -J.F.K.

-present parallel construction for verb phrases in a series:

“The last participant in the race ran, walked, and crawled to the finish line.”

(Unparallel): For his birthday, Nils received a cake, fishing rod, and he got some flies.

(Parallel): For his birthday, Nils received a cake, fishing rod, and flies.

(Unparallel): Bria disliked not only playing soccer but also the long training runs.

(Parallel): Bria disliked playing soccer and running.

(Unparallel): I object to, first, the injustice of the measure; second, I believe it is unconstitutional.

(Parallel): I object, first, that the measure is unjust; second, that it is unconstitutional.

(notice that the “I object” is implied in the second sentence and, therefore, necessitates the semi-colon).