When you have a list, every item in that list should be similar. If one list item is a noun, all the list items should be nouns. If one list item is an "ing" word, every list item should be an "ing" word. When all the items in a list are the same part of speech, the list is "parallel." Once you know to check for this, it's a fairly simple problem to solve.

The easiest way to see this is to look at some examples.

Carlos has number of goals after graduation: attending college, getting an apartment, and to pay off his car loan. WRONG!

The first two list items start with an "ing" word and the last starts with "to." Make all the list items start the same way.

Correct: Carlos has number of goals after graduation: attending college, getting an apartment, and paying off his car loan.

Correct: Carlos has a number of goals after graduation: to attend college, to get an apartment, and to pay off his car loan.

Okay, so now you see what you have to do. You need to make sure that all of the items in the list 'look' the same and use the same part of speech. Let's look at one more example.

Having the air conditioner going, running the pool pump, and games running on the computer all require excessive amounts of electricity.

See the problem? Having ("ing" word), running ("ing" word), and games (noun)-- these don't match. The fact that an "ing" word follows the noun "games" doesn't help. All the list items have to START the same.

Correct: Having the air conditioner going, running the pool pump, and playing games on the computer all require excessive amounts of electricity.

Correct: The air conditioner, the pool pump, and the computer all require excessive amounts of electricity.

Desmond Doss and Kenneth Walker both show great determination, courage, and have earned respect of their men.

Determination and courage are both adjectives. The last list item is a phrase starting with "have." NO MATCH

Correct: Desmond Doss and Kenneth Walker both show great determination, courage, and respectability.

Correct: Desmond Doss and Kenneth Walker both have showed determination, have proved their courage, and have earned respect of their men.

Richard Walker and Daniel Booth both show great determination, courage, and have earned respect of their men.

Ling felt the whole movie was boring, silly, and was too long.

LeBron James skipped down the hallway like a teenager and was performing a Michael Jackson-quality spin.

Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and full of wisdom.

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