Which option best revises this sentence so that it uses parallel structure? Transportation planner Sarah Reidel believes that co
mpanies need to encourage employees to take alternate means of transportation and telecommute when possible, as well as work abbreviated schedules. A. Transportation planner Sarah Reidel believes that companies need to encourage employees to take alternate means of transportation, telecommute when possible, and work abbreviated schedules. B. Transportation planner Sarah Reidel believes that companies need to encourage employees to take alternate means of transportation, telecommuting when possible, and working abbreviated schedules. C. Transportation planner Sarah Reidel believes that companies need to encourage employees to take alternate means of transportation, telecommuting when possible, as well as working abbreviated schedules. D. Transportation planner Sarah Reidel believes that companies need to encourage employees into taking alternate means of transportation, to telecommute when possible, and working abbreviated schedules.
A. Transportation planner Sarah Reidel believes that companies need to encourage employees to take alternate means of transportation, telecommute when possible, and work abbreviated schedules.
Parallel structure is when there is a consistent use of the same grammatical structure. This is especially important when writing a list. In the sentence, the author lists the three things companies can do to help with the transportation problem. The verb structure needs to be the same. Option A is the only choice that has a similar verb structure for encourage, telecommute and work. Other options vary the verb structure sometimes using verbs that end in -ing while others do not. These do not have parallel structure.
If you get the other version of this, ends with "advantage of these offerings." The answer is "Transportation planner Sarah Reidel believes companies can improve traffic and help the environment by encouraging employees to use alternative means of transportation, providing telecommuting opportunities, and rewarding employees who take advantage of these offerings."
