Linked ideas are easier to follow when their grammatical forms match.

The idea

In a list or coordination, match equivalent units: nouns with nouns, adjectives with adjectives, or verb forms with corresponding verb forms. Place paired connectors before equivalent units.

Examples

  • The job requires patience, accuracy and tact.
  • She enjoys sketching, hiking and gardening.
  • We plan to repair the roof and paint the door.
  • The path is narrow but well lit.
  • They both checked the figures and explained the result.
  • I would rather walk to the station than wait for a bus.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not mix an infinitive with an unrelated gerund in a list when both depend on the same verb. A shared to can cover both coordinated base verbs.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. The course teaches reading, writing and ___. (speaking / to speak)

    Show answer or example answer

    speaking

    speaking matches the two preceding gerunds.

  2. Choose the correct option. We hope to meet the team and ___ the workshop. (visit / visiting)

    Show answer or example answer

    visit

    visit shares the infinitive marker before the first verb.

  3. Choose the correct option. The room is both quiet and ___. (bright / brightness)

    Show answer or example answer

    bright

    bright is an adjective matching quiet.

Use it today

Write a list of three activities and a sentence with a paired connector. Check that the linked forms match.