Parallel structure or also called parallelism, it means we use the same pattern of words to show that

two or more words even ideas are equal importance. The words should not only match in structure,
but also in tense. Writers usually use parallel structure to add clarity to their writing and make
readers easier to understand. We can use parallel structure with coordinating conjunctions,
correlative conjunctions, phrases or clauses of comparison, and with list.
1. Coordinating conjunctions
We can use coordinating conjunction when we connect two or more clauses or phrases with
a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or, so). For example:
Not Parallel:
My friend took me dancing and to a show.
Parallel:
My friend took me to a dance and a show.

2. Correlative conjunctions
We can use parallel structure when we connect two clauses or phrases with correlative
conjunction (not only …but also, either …or, neither …nor, if …then, etc.). For example:
Not Parallel:
My cat not only likes to play fetch, but also chase insects.
Parallel:
My cat not only likes to play fetch, but also likes to chase insects.

3. Phrases or clauses of comparison

We can use parallel structure when we connect two clauses or phrases with a word of
comparison, such as than or as. For example:
Not Parallel:
I would rather pay for my education than financial aid.
Parallel:
I would rather pay for my education than receive financial aid.

4. List
We use parallel structure when we are comparing items in a list. For example:
Not Parallel:
John Taylor Gatto criticizes public schools because they are compulsory, funded by the
government, and destroy students’ humanity.
Parallel:
John Taylor Gatto criticizes public schools because they are compulsory, government-
funded, and normalizing.
As we know it, in English, the best way to write and speak is almost always with the active voice.
Basically, the active voice puts emphasis on the most important part of the sentence, so it
Active voice is a sentence in which the subject does something or does a job. We tend to use the
active voice, one of the two voices of verbs (active and passive voice). When the verb of a sentence
is in the active voice, the subject performs the action denoted by use the verbs in the sentence.
Example:
1. The snake might have killed him
2. I ran the obstacle course in record time
3. The company requires staff to watch a safety video every year.
4. We will clean the dormitory together every Sunday

Passive voice is a noun word or phrase that will be the object of an active voice, appearing as the
subject of a sentence with passive voice. When writing the passive voice, the subject no longer does
an action but rather becomes acted upon. The passive voice is formed with the appropriate tense of
the verb to be + past participle.
Example:
1. He might have been killed by the snake
2. The obstacle course was run by me in record time
3. The staff are required by the company to watch a safety video every year.
4. The dormitory will be cleaned by us every Sunday.