When presenting ideas in a list of two or more items, each item must be in the same grammatical format.
Incorrect
I like to jog, swim, and hiking.
This example is incorrect because hiking is a different verb tense than jog and swim.
Correct
I like to jog, swim, and hike.
Correct
I like jogging, swimming, and hiking.
Incorrect
Getting a good job requires persistence, patience, and it helps to be dedicated.
This example is incorrect because persistence and patience are nouns that are required to getting a good job. the idea it helps to be dedicated uses a new verb and the adjective form (dedicated) rather than the noun form (dedication).
Correct
Getting a good job requires persistence, patience, and dedication.
When using correlative conjunctions (word pairs that join words or word groups), you also must pay attention to parallelism.
Incorrect
The punctuation workshop covers how to use commas, the use of semi-colons, and provides information on colon use.
This example is incorrect because each item in the list begins in a different way. There is a mix between nouns and verbs, and the phrasing is inconsistent.
Correct
The punctuation workshop covers how to use commas, how to use semi-colons, and how to use colons.
Correct
The punctuation workshop covers how to use commas, semi-colons, and colons.
Correct
The punctuation workshop provides information on comma, semi-colon, and colon use.
Both men and women enjoy that movie.
You can either walk or take the bus
Neither the bus nor the train is on time.
She went to the gym, not to exercise, but to use the whirlpool.
I not only studied for the exam, but I also finished the essay.
He is trying to decide whether to go to a movie or to stay home