APA rules for parallel structure in complex sentences: Examples and explanation

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🔑 Definition: Parallel structure (also called parallelism) means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This applies to words, phrases, and clauses.
• 📝 APA Style & Parallelism: APA style emphasizes clarity. Using parallel structure helps readers understand relationships between ideas in your writing.
• ✍️ Complex Sentences: Complex sentences contain an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Maintaining parallelism within these structures is vital.
• ✅ Lists: When items are presented in a list (numbered or bulleted), they *must* be parallel.
• 💡 Coordinating Conjunctions: Words like *and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet* often connect parallel elements. Ensure what they connect are grammatically equal.
• 🔎 Correlative Conjunctions: These pairs (e.g., *both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also*) require parallel structure after *each* part of the pair.
• 🚫 Common Errors: Mismatched verb tenses, mixing phrases and clauses, and inconsistent use of articles (a, an, the) are frequent parallelism errors.

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct parallel structure according to APA guidelines?
   1. A. She enjoys reading, to hike, and going to the movies.
   2. B. She enjoys reading, hiking, and to go to the movies.
   3. C. She enjoys reading, hiking, and going to the movies.
   4. D. She enjoys to read, hiking, and going to the movies.
2. Choose the sentence that correctly uses parallel structure with correlative conjunctions.
   1. A. Not only did he write the report, but also he presented it.
   2. B. He not only wrote the report, but he also presented it.
   3. C. Not only he wrote the report, but also presented it.
   4. D. He not only wrote the report, but also presenting it.
3. Identify the sentence with a parallelism error.
   1. A. The study examined the effects of exercise, diet, and sleep.
   2. B. The study examined the effects of exercise, dieting, and how sleep impacts health.
   3. C. The study examined the effects of exercise, diet, and sleep patterns.
   4. D. The study examined the effects of exercise on mood, diet on energy, and sleep on cognition.
4. Which sentence is parallel?
   1. A. The professor liked to teach, mentoring students, and doing research.
   2. B. The professor liked teaching, to mentor students, and research.
   3. C. The professor liked teaching, mentoring students, and research.
   4. D. The professor liked to teach, to mentor students, and researching.
5. Select the sentence with correct parallel structure.
   1. A. She is good at singing, dancing, and she plays the piano well.
   2. B. She is good at singing, dancing, and playing the piano.
   3. C. She is good at to sing, to dance, and playing the piano.
   4. D. She is good at singing, to dance, and playing piano.
6. Which of the following options maintains parallel structure in the sentence: "The company values innovation, integrity, and..."
   1. A. …being customer-focused."
   2. B. …a focus on customers."
   3. C. …customer-focused."
   4. D. …to focus on customers."
7. Choose the sentence where the list is parallel.
   1. A. The job requires strong communication skills, being detail-oriented, and ability to work in teams.
   2. B. The job requires strong communication skills, detail-oriented, and ability to work in teams.
   3. C. The job requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in teams.
   4. D. The job requires communicating well, attention to detail, and working in teams.