Although the new policy aims to increase efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing employee satisfaction, some employees feel that the changes are too abrupt and poorly communicated.

Question

Although the new policy aims to increase efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing employee satisfaction, some employees feel that the changes are too abrupt and poorly communicated. Option 1: increase efficiency, reducing the costs and enhanced employee satisfaction Option 2: increasing efficiency, reducing of costs, and enhancing of employee satisfaction Option 3: increase the efficiency, reduce the costs and enhancing employee satisfaction Option 4: increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance employee satisfaction

AfterBoards · Accepted Answer

This question tests **parallel structure (parallelism)**. Parallel structure means items in a series must use the same grammatical form, like three musketeers marching in step. When listing actions, keep verb forms consistent: "eat, sleep, repeat" not "eating, sleep, repeated." Option 1 → Mixes verb forms: "increase," "reducing," "enhanced" — like mismatched socks. Option 2 → "Reducing of costs" sounds awkward — you don't "reduce of" something. Option 3 → Two base verbs, then a gerund — breaks the pattern halfway. Option 4 → All three verbs in base form — perfectly parallel marching!

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