Which sentence uses parallel structure?

Which sentence uses parallel structure?

• A. She likes to read, writing, and to paint.
• B. Reading, writing, and painted.
• C. She likes reading, to write, and painting.
• D. She likes reading, writing, and painting.

Answer: (D)

Parallel structure means keeping the same grammatical form in items listed after a verb. In this sentence, the three things that follow “likes” are all nouns formed from verbs by adding -ing: reading, writing, and painting. They share the same form, so the list reads smoothly and evenly. The other options mix different forms: one uses an infinitive (to write) alongside gerunds, and another uses a past participle (painted) or a mix of gerund and infinitive. That breaks the balance of the list, making them less parallel. So the sentence with reading, writing, and painting is the most parallel.

Parallel structure means keeping the same grammatical form in items listed after a verb. In this sentence, the three things that follow “likes” are all nouns formed from verbs by adding -ing: reading, writing, and painting. They share the same form, so the list reads smoothly and evenly.

The other options mix different forms: one uses an infinitive (to write) alongside gerunds, and another uses a past participle (painted) or a mix of gerund and infinitive. That breaks the balance of the list, making them less parallel. So the sentence with reading, writing, and painting is the most parallel.