SAT Writing: Parallel Structure Quick Guide | Grammar for Digital SAT PDF Download

What is parallel structure? 

Parallel structure emphasizes that elements in a sentence should be grammatically and structurally balanced when two or more words, phrases, or clauses are connected. In other words, they should have the same grammatical form to create a sense of harmony and clarity in a sentence.

Example:

Incorrect

• Penny likes running, biking, and to swim.

Correct

• Penny likes running, biking, and swimming.

What's on the test?

During the official SAT exam, it is probable that you will come across 1-2 questions that necessitate identifying and correcting parallel structure errors in the underlined segments of sentences. Parallel structure errors often surface in lists containing two or more elements.

Parallel lists:

• Lists can include many parts of speech, including verbs, adjectives, nouns, and prepositional phrases.
• List items must have the same grammatical structure and function.

Rules for parallel lists

1. Different parts of speech shouldn’t be mixed in a list

Incorrect:

• Sentences written with parallel structure are tidy, elegant, and persuade effectively.

Correct

• Sentences written with parallel structure are tidy, elegant, and persuasive.

Explanation: The first two list items, "tidy" and "elegant", are both adjectives. The third item must also be an adjective, like "persuasive".

2. Compound verbs should be conjugated in the same tense and should serve the same subject

Incorrect:

• Aladdin closed his eyes, gripped the lamp, and had rubbed with all his might.

Correct:

• Aladdin closed his eyes, gripped the lamp, and rubbed with all his might.

Explanation: As part of the same compound verb phrase, the listed verbs "closed", "gripped", and "rubbed" need to match one another in tense.

3. Lists shouldn’t include both phrases and independent clauses

Incorrect:

• There are two ways to get to the Olympics: training hard enough to qualify as an athlete, or you can buy tickets.

Correct:

• There are two ways to get to the Olympics: training hard enough to qualify as an athlete, or buying tickets.

There are two ways to get to the Olympics: you can train hard enough to qualify as an athlete, or you can buy tickets.

Explanation: Both "training" and "you can train" could be acceptable, but the structure must be kept the same for both listed clauses.

4. When listing noun phrases, each phrase should share a similar structure

Incorrect:

• A lack of good dental hygiene habits can cause a range of long-term health problems, from tooth decay to increasing one’s risk of heart disease.

Correct:

• A lack of good dental hygiene habits can cause a range of long-term health problems, from tooth decay to an increased risk of heart disease.

Explanation: "Increasing one's risk" doesn't have the same structure as "tooth decay". "An increased risk" does.

Tips and strategies

Valuable advice: Steer clear of redundant repetition.

• In many instances, parallel structure errors arise due to the repetition of a term or phrase that is used to introduce a list, within the list itself.

Incorrect

• The trapezist soared through the air with speed, grace, and with precision.

Correct

• The trapezist soared through the air with speed, grace, and precision.

Explanation: Because "with" precedes the entire list, it applies to all the list items. We shouldn't repeat it within the list.

Helpful hint: Concentrate on the modifiable aspects.

Parallel structures frequently surface in questions that require modifying the underlined section of a sentence. Certain elements in a list might be underlined, whereas others may not be.

To identify the most parallel option, match the elements that can be changed with those that cannot.

Incorrect

• Compared to a personal automobile, public transportation is cheaper, safer, and environmentally friendly.

Correct

• Compared to a personal automobile, public transportation is cheap, safe, and environmentally friendly.

Explanation: Even though two of the three list items are already parallel ("cheaper" and "safer"), the parallel items are what's underlined. We need to change them to match the one list item we can't change.