Parallel Construction Errors
Parallel construction, in the context of grammar, refers to using the same pattern of words to demonstrate that the thoughts or ideas are of equal importance. Parallel construction includes using the same form whether you are writing a list of items, writing a list of verbs, or writing a sentence with clauses. When writing a sentence with lists, the APA manual states that you should, "Make certain that all elements of the parallelism are present before and after the coordinating conjunction" (Section 3.23 pp. 84-86). When writing a sentence with clauses, you should ensure that you do not change patterns or voice (e.g., active to passive or vice versa).
Example of a sentence that is not parallel: Jane likes playing, swimming, and to ride her bike.
Example of a sentence that is parallel: Jane likes playing, swimming, and riding her bike. Or Jane likes to play, to swim, and to ride her bike.
Example of a sentence that is not parallel: The psychologist told Jane's parents that she should get plenty of sleep, that she should eat healthily, and to get exercise.
Example of a sentence that is parallel: The psychologist told Jane's parents that she should get plenty of sleep, that she should eat healthily, and that she should get exercise.
Check Your Understanding Activity
Directions: Decide if each sentence in the activities below has Parallel construction or does not have Parallel construction. Select True if it has Parallel construction and select False if it does not have Parallel construction.
 
Now that we have reviewed frequent sentence, paragraph, punctuation, and grammar errors, we will turn our attention more specifically to APA writing and editorial style. We will begin by looking at the top seven APA style errors that students make.
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