Parallel Structure

Complete the sentence: In her free time, Mia enjoys reading books, playing the piano, and _____.

• to swim

• swimming

• swim

• swam

Answer explanation

The verbs in the list should be parallel in structure. Since 'reading' and 'playing' are gerunds, 'swimming' makes it parallel.

Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?

• Tom is not only an excellent student but also plays basketball well.

• Tom is not only an excellent student but also a great basketball player.

• Tom is not only an excellent student but also playing basketball well.

• Tom is not only an excellent student but also play basketball well.

Answer explanation

The phrase 'not only... but also' requires parallel structure. The elements after 'not only' and 'but also' should be noun phrases.

Complete the sentence: The coach said that we need to practice hard, stay focused, and _____.

• winning games

• win games

• wins games

• won games

Answer explanation

The verbs in the list should be parallel in structure. Since 'practice' and 'stay' are base forms, 'win' makes it parallel.

True or False: The sentence 'She likes to hike, swim, and biking' uses parallel structure.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The sentence does not use parallel structure. The verbs should all be in the same form: 'hike, swim, and bike'.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses parallel structure.

• Before the exam, you should get plenty of sleep and eating a good breakfast.

• Before the exam, you should get plenty of sleep and eat a good breakfast.

• Before the exam, you should getting plenty of sleep and eat a good breakfast.

• Before the exam, you should get plenty of sleep and to eat a good breakfast.

Answer explanation

The verbs in the sentence should be in the same form. 'Get' and 'eat' are both base forms, making the structure parallel.

Complete the sentence: The new park offers trails for hiking, areas for picnicking, and _____.

• a place to swim

• swimming areas

• to swim

• swimming

Answer explanation

The elements in the list should be parallel. 'Trails for hiking', 'areas for picnicking', and 'swimming areas' are all noun phrases.

True or False: The sentence 'I want to either travel to Paris or to Rome' uses parallel structure.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The sentence uses parallel structure with 'to Paris' and 'to Rome' following the pattern 'to [location]'.

Which sentence maintains parallel structure?

• Sarah likes to run, bike, and swimming.

• Sarah likes running, biking, and swimming.

• Sarah likes to run, biking, and to swim.

• Sarah likes to run, to bike, and swimming.

Answer explanation

All verbs should be in the same gerund form to maintain parallel structure.

Complete the sentence: The teacher asked us to read the chapter, summarize the main points, and _____.

• write a response

• writing a response

• to write a response

• wrote a response

Answer explanation

The verbs in the list should be parallel. 'Read', 'summarize', and 'write' are all base forms.

True or False: The sentence 'Mark is talented at drawing, painting, and to sculpt' uses parallel structure.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The sentence does not use parallel structure. The verbs should all be in the same form: 'drawing, painting, and sculpting'.