Opportunities for Parallel Construction

Parallel construction is especially useful in three kinds of situations:

• In lists or series of two or more items, whether in a paragraph or in a displayed list
• Following paired conjunctions such as both … and, either … or, neither … nor, not only … but also, not … but
  • It is important not only to finish your work on time but also to do it well. (Note the use of the infinitive form of the verb with paired conjunctions.)
• With comparisons and contrasts
  • Someone once said, “In a developing country, don’t drink the water; in a developed country, don’t breathe the air.”