Parallel Structure

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you increase the readability of your writing by creating word patterns readers can follow easily.

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​use of coordinating conjunctions such as "and" or "or."

​means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.

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​making each compared item or idea in your sentence follow the same grammatical pattern, you create a parallel construction.

Incorrect examples:

Josh bought a watch, a shirt, and wanted a hat.

​Correct examples:

​Josh bought a watch, a shirt, and a hat.

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​Luis likes his math class, his art class, and writing.

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​Luis likes his math class, his art class, and his writing class.

​The rule of three is a writing principle based on the idea that humans process information through pattern recognition. As the smallest number that allows us to recognize a pattern in a set, three can help us craft memorable phrases.

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​Later today, I'm going hiking and biking.

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​Tomorrow I'm going hiking and for a bike ride.

​Wait, what's a gerund?

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​A gerund is a noun formed from a verb. Ex. hiking, biking

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