From the course: Writing with Flair: How to Become an Exceptional Writer

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Parallel ideas: Exercises

Parallel ideas: Exercises

From the course: Writing with Flair: How to Become an Exceptional Writer

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Parallel ideas: Exercises

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- Here's another example of a sentence where ideas aren't perfectly parallel. Josie is in charge of packing crates, keeping track of outgoing stock and she maintains records of customer complaints. How could you make the ideas more parallel there? How about this? Josie is in charge of packing crates, keeping track of stock and recording customer complaints. The sentence now lines up the items in a parallel way, doesn't it? You have the parallel verbs, packing, keeping track and recording, which are of a similar nature, lining up and giving the sentence more elegance and grace. Another thing I wanted to say. Do you ever use the sentences that begin with not only? Not only does smoking harm your health, it makes your breath smell. Some people suggest for style purposes always to balance not only with but also, like this: Not only does smoking harm your health, but it also makes your breath smell. Does that sound more elegant to you? I hope that this series of lectures has given you a…

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