Parallel Structure

Complete the sentence: My brother likes to play video games, watch movies, and _____.

• reading books

• read books

• to read books

• reads books

Answer explanation

The sentence lists activities with parallel verbs: play, watch, and read.

Choose the correct sentence that uses parallel structure:

• Lisa enjoys hiking, swimming, and to ride a bike.

• Lisa enjoys hiking, swimming, and biking.

• Lisa enjoys to hike, swimming, and biking.

• Lisa enjoys hiking, to swim, and biking.

Answer explanation

Parallel structure is achieved by using gerunds for all activities.

True or False: The sentence 'The dog barked loudly, ran quickly, and jumps high.' maintains parallel structure.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The verbs should all be in the past tense to maintain parallel structure: 'barked', 'ran', 'jumped'.

Complete the sentence: During the summer, I plan to go fishing, camping, and _____.

• to hike

• hiking

• hike

• hiked

Answer explanation

The sentence lists activities in parallel form: go, camping, and hike.

Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?

• She is talented at drawing, to paint, and sculpting.

• She is talented at drawing, painting, and sculpting.

• She is talented at to draw, paint, and sculpting.

• She is talented at drawing, painting, and to sculpt.

Answer explanation

Parallel structure is achieved by using gerunds: drawing, painting, sculpting.

True or False: 'The teacher asked the students to read quietly, write clearly, and think critically.' is an example of a sentence with parallel structure.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The verbs 'read', 'write', and 'think' are in parallel form.

Complete the sentence: Not only does Sarah study hard, but she also _____.

• plays sports

• play sports

• playing sports

• to play sports

Answer explanation

The phrase 'not only... but also' requires parallel verb forms in the present tense.

Which sentence has correct parallel structure?

• He wanted to learn how to cook and going to the gym.

• He wanted to learn how to cook and go to the gym.

• He wanted to learn how to cook and to going to the gym.

• He wanted to learn to cook and goes to the gym.

Answer explanation

The verbs 'learn' and 'go' are in parallel infinitive forms.

True or False: 'At the party, we danced, sang, and were eating all night.' maintains proper parallel structure.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The verbs should all be in simple past tense: 'danced', 'sang', 'ate'.

Complete the sentence: Jamie enjoys not only reading novels but also _____ them.

• writing

• to write

• writes

• write

Answer explanation

The structure 'not only... but also' requires parallel gerunds: 'reading' and 'writing'.