Grammar and reading terms · SAT Reading and Writing, ACT English, ACT Reading
Parallel structure
Parallel structure: Using the same grammatical form for items in a list, a comparison or paired constructions.
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What it means
Items in a series should share a form: all nouns, all -ing verbs or all infinitives. Paired constructions such as not only … but also, either … or and both … and require parallel elements after each part.
Comparisons must also compare like things, such as one city's population to another city's population.
Example
Incorrect: 'She enjoys painting, to hike and reading.' Correct: 'She enjoys painting, hiking and reading.'
On the exam
Parallel structure is tested in ACT English and in SAT Form, Structure, and Sense questions.