Grammatically Correct: The writer's essential guide to punctuation ...

GRAMMATICALLY CORRECT
would make a sentence more vibrant or capture your intended meaning
more precisely. That is, do not avoid a catchy phrasing out of an
over-devotion to technicalities. Be certain, however, that you have
a valid reason for rejecting the more correct alternatives.
AVOIDING FAULTY PARALLELISM
Exercise
Each of the following sentences contains a problem with parallel
structure. What is it, and how would you correct it?
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The lecture was long, a bore and uninspiring.
Planning a surprise party calls for organizing, scheduling and cunning.
He had always preferred talking to listening, and to give rather than to
take direction.
Her responsibilities were the management of the PR department and to
attend trade shows.
A computerized database index needs to be reorganized when it has
become fragmented, or to correct the skewing of values.
She told him to get to the hotel by six o'clock, that he should check with
the concierge for messages, leave his luggage at the front desk and to
wait for her in the lobby.
The consultant objected to the proposal, saying that the costs would be
exorbitant and because the training facilities were insufficient.
It may be necessary to either add or subtract items from this list.
Courses are offered in spring, summer and in fall.
The revised plan called for lower salaries, operating budgets and longer
hours.
Writers who work on a freelance basis don't get steady paychecks, but
one has the advantage of extra tax breaks.
Participants should sign in by noon and pick up your registration
materials at the front desk.
Go to the "Options" menu to change the display colors, fonts, type size,
set predefined breaks in your program or open the dictionary.
Customers may either pick up the merchandise themselves, or the
company will deliver it for a small fee.
He not only shoveled the walkway, but also the stairs and balcony.