| Collective Nouns |  |
Lists | |
Parallel Structure | |
Numbers,Dates,Times | |
Phone Numbers |
| Prepositions | |
Split Infinitives | |
That and Which | |
They're, Their, There | |
Web Styles |
Parallel verb structure is a regular copy-editing chore. Most instances of non-parallel verb use stem from combining past and present tense verbs in the same descriptive list or paragraph.
The incorrect way:
In order to pass the class, students had to manage getting weekly assignments in on time, facilitating discussion twice in the term, meeting the professor in one conference and handed in five short papers.
The correct way:
In order to pass the class, students had to manage getting weekly assignments in on time, facilitate discussion twice in the term, meet the professor in one conference, and complete five short papers.
A good general rule for maintaining parallel verb structure
is that all verbs in a series should carry the same suffix
-- e.g., 'ing' or 'ed.'