TACHS: Parallel structure: keep matching items in the same form
Keep every item in a list, or in a pair like not only and but also, in the same grammatical form, and recognize a sentence that needs no change.
How do I choose the right ending for a list, or know when a list is already correct?
Short answer
Find the first complete item and name its form, such as an -ing word, to plus a verb, or an adjective. Every other item must match that form. If they already match, choose No change.
Know first: Verbs, nouns and adjectives, *-ing* words and *to* plus a verb
Step 1 of 5
The first item sets the pattern
Parallel structure means that items in a list, or two ideas joined by a pair of words, use the same grammatical form. If the first item is an -ing word, the rest should be -ing words too.
Wrong choices usually switch form partway through. A verb turns into a noun, or the last item becomes a whole clause with its own subject.
| First item | Matching list |
|---|---|
| -ing word | hiking, fishing, and swimming |
| to + verb | to plan, to build, and to test |
| Plain verb after a shared word | should wash, dry, and stack |
| Comparative adjective | lighter, faster, and cheaper |
A shared word at the start, like to or should, can cover every item in the list.
Step 2 of 5
Name the form of the first item
Worked example: Weekend chores
Which completion best preserves parallel structure? Our weekend chores include sweeping the porch, folding laundry, and ___.
- Ato water the plants
- Bwatering the plants
- Cthe plants need water
- Dwe water the plants
- 1
Find the list
The items follow include: sweeping the porch, folding laundry, and the blank.
- 2
Name the pattern
Both items are -ing phrases.
- 3
Match it
Watering the plants is also an -ing phrase. That is B.
- 4
See why the other choices are there
A switches to to plus a verb. C and D turn the last item into a full clause with its own subject, which breaks the list.
Answer
B. watering the plants
Wrong: The new tent is lighter, roomier, and has more waterproofing.
Right: The new tent is lighter, roomier, and more waterproof.
Lighter and roomier are comparative adjectives, so the third item must be one too.
Step 3 of 5
Check every item against the first
Check yourself · Question 1
Which completion best preserves parallel structure? The coach wants the team not only to run faster but also ___.
Answer: B
Not only to run must match but also to pass. Both halves use to plus a verb.
Check yourself · Question 2
Which revision best preserves parallel structure? At the fair, Luis hoped to ride the Ferris wheel, to taste the funnel cake, and to win a prize.
Answer: D
All three items already use to plus a verb: to ride, to taste, to win. The sentence is correct as written.
Trap answer: to ride the Ferris wheel, taste the funnel cake, and winning a prize
A revision that starts out right
- Why it looks right
- The first two items match, and many careful writers drop the repeated to, so this choice looks polished.
- Why it's wrong
- The last item switches to winning. One mismatched item breaks the whole list.
- The right answer
- No change. The sentence already lines up to ride, to taste, and to win.
Common mistake
Rejecting No change because a revision question must need a revision.
- Why it's tempting
- A question that offers revisions seems to expect you to pick one.
- Do this instead
- Check every item first. If they all match, the sentence is already correct, and No change is the answer.
Step 4 of 5
What to remember
Remember
- Name the form of the first item, then make every other item match it.
- Pairs like not only ... but also need matching halves.
- If every item already matches, choose No change.
Step 5 of 5
Practice on a real question
Use what you just learned on this question, then check the explanation.
Try another one
In your own words
In the practice question, what form did the first two activities share, and which choice was the only one in that form?