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Parallelism

1.  Use parallel structure when expressing a list.
Incorrect: The suspect had a scar on the right side of his face, a birthmark on his forehead, and was sporting a new beard.
Correct: The suspect had a scar on the right side of his face, a birthmark on his forehead, and a new beard.

2.  Connect all parallel terms in a list with one conjunction and separate the list from the next clause with an additional conjunction.

Incorrect: The suspect had a scar on the right side of his face, a birthmark on his forehead, and ran toward the south when he heard the police siren.
Correct: The suspect had a scar on the right side of his face and a birthmark on his forehead, and ran toward the south when he heard the police siren.

3.  Use parallel verb tenses when one subject has multiple predicates.
 

Incorrect: The judge threw the gavel, yelled at the lawyer, and was overruling the objection for the twelfth time that day.

Correct: The judge threw the gavel, yelled at the lawyer, and overruled the objection for the twelfth time that day.

Incorrect: I like cross examining witnesses in trials and to argue appeals as well.

Correct: I like cross examining witnesses in trials and arguing appeals as well.
 


4.  Use parallel structure when a sentence has multiple subjects.
 

Incorrect: The lawyer produced the gun, the judge accepted it into evidence, and it was removed from the courtroom by the bailiff.

Correct: The lawyer produced the gun, the judge accepted it into evidence, and the bailiff removed it from the courtroom.