CONSISTENCY AND PARALLELISM
CONSISTENCY
All good writing is consistent. That is, each sentence and
paragraph in the final draft should move along smoothly without
confusing shifts in tense, number, or person.
TYPES OF CONSISTENCY
CONSISTENCY OF TENSE CONSISTENCY OF PERSON
CONSISTENCY OF NUMBER
CONSISTENCY
CONSISTENCY OF TENSE
Consistency of tense means using the same verb whenever
.possible throughout a sentence or an entire paragraph
CONSISTENCY
CONSISTENCY OF NUMBER
Consistency of number means avoiding shifts from singular to
. plural or from plural to singular within a sentence or paragraph
CONSISTENCY
CONSISTENCY OF PERSON
Consistency of number means using the same person, or
indefinite pronoun, throughout a sentence or paragraph
.whenever possible
Exercises
1. People in this town know that you should not be out alone after
dark.
People in this town know that they should not be out alone after
dark.
.Everyone had to wait for their turn .2
Everyone had to wait his (or her) turn.
They had to wait their turn.
.Alice ate supper and then goes to the game .3
.Alice ate supper and then went to the game
4. Any student can be successful if they put forth enough effort
Any student can be successful if he (or she) puts forth enough effort.
All students can be successful if they put forth enough effort
PARALLELISM
Parallelism or parallel structure, is an effective way to add
smoothnes and power to your writing. Parallelism is a balance
.of two or more similar words, phrases, or clauses
LACKING PARALLELISM • .She likes cooking, jogging, and to read
PARALLEL • She likes cooking, jogging, and reading
LACKING PARALLELISM • The dog ran across the yard, jumped over the
. fence, and down the alley he sprinted
PARALLEL • The dog ran across the yard, jumped over the
. fence, and sprinted down the alley
Exercises
1. Eric Foreman decorates the Christmas tree, picks up his grandma
from the nursing home, and friends are invited over for dinner.
Eric Foreman decorates the Christmas tree, picks up his grandma from
the nursing home, and invites friends over for dinner.
2. Tennis requires hand-eye coordination, flexibility, and to be able to
concentrate.
Tennis requires hand-eye coordination, flexibility, and concentration.
3. The teacher has the responsibility of providing supplemental help
and to review all test material with the students.
The teacher has the responsibility of providing supplemental help and
reviewing all test material with the students.
The teacher has the responsibility to provide supplemental help and to
review all test material with students.
4. Veronica threw the rock at the window and the glass was broken
Veronica threw the rock at the window and broke the glass.
5. Sandy studies in the morning, exercises at noon, and attending
classes in the afternoon.
Sandy studies in the morning, exercises at noon, and attends
classes in the afternoon.
