This week we have a new guest writer, Rob Ronaldo, who's going to help us look at something

called a false series.

You may ask what the heck is that?

Well, we'll find out in a moment.

A common problem in writing today is the false series.

It happens when a writer combines three or more seemingly related elements in a series,

but the syntax is wrong.

When you get the sentence right, you're said to be using parallel construction.

Huh?

Okay, here's an example.

Today, I'll tidy up the bedroom, the living room, and wallpaper the cat.

Sounds like a series of three things to accomplish, and yet, some things off.

The construction doesn't quite work.

It's as simple to detect, assess MA streets one of these things is not like the other.

Let's break it down and see how and why.

In a series, we list three or more things that serve a common purpose within a sentence.

I'm going to buy an anvil, a lava lamp, and three dozen cum quads.

Each of the elements, despite being disparate items, performs the same function.

That of the object of the verb form, will buy.

I will buy an anvil, I will buy a lava lamp, and I will buy three dozen cum quads.

You could bullet point them, too, if you choose.

Similarly, in the sentence, a koala, a giraffe, and a llama walk into a bar.

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