Final answer:
Parallel structure in sentences uses similar grammatical constructions to improve readability and style. Parallelism can be achieved in various ways, such as with the use of correlative or coordinating conjunctions, or comparisons with 'than' or 'as'. A parallel sentence ensures that each element is grammatically equivalent, creating a smooth and balanced flow.
Explanation:
The question is regarding the use of parallel structure in sentences. Parallelism is a stylistic device used to enhance the readability and flow of a text. When using correlative or coordinating conjunctions, or when comparing items with 'than' or 'as', it is important that each element is presented in a grammatically equivalent manner. This means that nouns should be parallel to other nouns, verb forms should match verb forms, and so on.
For example, a sentence lacking parallelism might read: 'She likes to run, swimming, and to bike.' To correct this, we'd want to make sure each verb follows the same form, resulting in a parallel sentence: 'She likes running, swimming, and biking.' The use of similar grammatical structures in a series ensures clarity and improves writing style.
Another example can be seen with correlative conjunctions, which always come in pairs. Consider the faulty sentence, 'Not only did he buy a new laptop, but also upgrading his phone.' To create a parallel sentence, we'd revise it to: 'Not only did he buy a new laptop, but he also upgraded his phone.' Here, both actions are presented with the same grammatical structure, maintaining parallelism.