29 Consistent Writing

Unless otherwise noted, content in this chapter has been adapted from the Communicating for Results: A Canadian Student’s Guide (3rd Edition)[1] textbook by Carolyn Meyer.

 

Good writing is very “readable”. In other words, good writers employ strategies that make it easy for their readers to understand their writing.

 

Learning Objectives

After completing this chapter, you will be able to

  • Be consistent in your use of pronouns, verb tense, and active/passive voice (Meyer, 2014, p. 105-106)
  • Apply parallel structure (Meyer, 2014, p. 106-107)

 

Consistency in Number, Person, and Tense

Observing the rules of consistency — by sticking to certain grammatical principles and patterns that shape your writing — is another good way to avoid  unreadable sentences.

 

Be consistent in number. Don’t switch from singular to plural when referring to a particular thing.

Women have made considerable strides in their [not her] chosen fields.

 

Be consistent in person. Don’t shift the frame of reference from first person I to second person you or third person he/she/one.

Before you apply for a permit, you [not one] must show proof of Canadian citizenship or landed immigrant status.
Watch this video to learn more about using pronouns consistently and correctly.

 

Be consistent in verb tense. Show time changes only when logic requires them.

When the CEO entered the auditorium, the crowd applauded [not applauds] wildly.

 

Be consistent in voice. Don’t shift unnecessarily from active to passive voice.

Financial analysts expect continued growth in the third quarter but anticipate weakness in the tourism sector [not weakness in the tourism sector is anticipated].

 

Consistency in comparatives and listed elements: Parallelism

Sentences that contain lists or comparison need parallel structure.  creates a good rhythm in a sentence and also ensures that each item in the list or comparison is given equal weight. When items are in parallel, each item is expressed in the same grammatical term. In other words, you can have a list of nouns, or a list of verbs, or a list of adjectives, but you cannot have a list that mixes nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

Examples of Parallel Structure [2]

Unbalanced: Britannia Capital’s chief analyst proposes three strategies for debt servicing: slowing spending, issuing equity to pay down debt, and to sell assets.
Parallel: Britannia Capital’s chief analyst proposes three strategies for debt servicing: slowing capital spending, issuing equity to pay down debt, and selling assets. [parallel construction matches -ing nouns]
Unbalanced: We anticipate expansion into underserviced regions, border areas, and markets that are located overseas.
Parallel: We anticipate expansion into underserviced regions, border areas, and overseas markets. [parallel construction matches nouns]
Unbalanced: Our priorities are to improve employee morale, reduce absenteeism, and encouraging professional development.
Parallel: Our priorities are to improve employee morale, reduce absenteeism, and encourage professional development. [parallel construction matches verb infinitives]
Unbalanced: To qualify for funding you must submit an application and three letters of reference must also be provided. [sentence switches from active to passive voice]
Parallel: To qualify for funding you must submit an application and provide three letters of reference. [active voice is matched with active voice]

 

Parallelism also applies to statements of comparison. It is important to balance these constructions for readability and rhetorical force.

Unbalanced: This is a time not for restraint but boldness.
Parallel: This is a time not for restraint but for boldness.

Watch these videos to further increase your understanding of parallel structure:

  1. parallelism in sentences
  2. parallelism in bulleted lists

 

Learning Check[3]

 

Additional Resources for Improving Writing

Try this Linkedin Learning course called Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. When you complete the course, you can add the certificate to your Linkedin profile.

  1. Meyer, C. (2014). Business style: Sentences and paragraphs. In Communicating for results: A Canadian student’s guide (3rd ed., pp. 99-126). Oxford. ↵
  2. Meyer, C. (2014). Business style: Sentences and paragraphs. In Communicating for results: A Canadian student’s guide (3rd ed., pp. 99-126). Oxford. ↵
  3. Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL). (2018, November 7). Mechanics: Parallel structure. Purdue University. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/mechanics/parallel_structure.html ↵

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