Parallel Structure on the SAT
The Easiest Points You're Not Getting Yet
Master sentence structure, punctuation, and clarity with repeatable rules.
Guard the Sentence Core
Identify the subject and verb, then make sure punctuation does not split them or add extra ideas.
- Find the subject + verb first. That is the sentence core.
- Only add commas around extra information, never inside the core.
- Re-read the sentence without the modifier to test clarity.
Why Parallel Structure Matters on the SAT
Parallel structure questions on the SAT Reading and Writing section practically answer themselves once you know what to look for. The test gives you a list, a comparison, or a pair of items, and all you have to do is check whether every item matches the same grammatical form. Once you train your eye for the pattern, these become some of the fastest, most reliable points on the entire exam.
If you've ever felt like grammar questions are a guessing game, this post is for you. Parallel structure follows a single, clear rule, and the SAT tests it the same way almost every time. Let's break it down.
What Is Parallel Structure?
Parallel structure (also called parallelism) means that when you list, compare, or pair items in a sentence, every item must use the same grammatical form. That's it. Noun with noun. Verb with verb. Phrase with phrase. When the forms match, the sentence flows. When they don't, something sounds, and is, off.
Here's a quick example:
- Not parallel: "She enjoys reading, to swim, and hiking."
(gerund, infinitive, gerund, the forms don't match) - Parallel: "She enjoys reading, swimming, and hiking."
(gerund, gerund, gerund, all three match)
That's the entire concept. The challenge on the SAT isn't that the rule is complicated, it's that the sentences are longer and the broken pattern can be harder to spot when it's buried inside a dense passage.
Where Parallel Structure Shows Up
Parallelism isn't just about simple lists. The SAT tests it in three main contexts:
- Lists: Three or more items joined by commas and a conjunction.
"The program focuses on recruiting new members, training volunteers, and expanding community outreach." - Pairs and comparisons: Two items connected by "and," "but," "or,"
"rather…than," or "as much as."
"The director preferred rehearsing in the morning rather than performing at night." - Correlative conjunctions: Two-part connectors like
both…and, not only…but also, either…or,
and neither…nor.
"The study was not only groundbreaking but also accessible to a general audience."
On the SAT, the moment you see any of these constructions, your antenna should go up. Check each item's grammatical form. If one item breaks the pattern, that's your error, and the correct answer is the one that restores it.
The SAT Strategy: Strip and Match
Here's the fastest way to handle parallel structure on test day. We'll call it Strip and Match:
- Find the list, pair, or comparison. Look for conjunctions ("and," "or," "but," "not only…but also," "rather…than"), they're your signposts.
- Identify the form of the non-underlined items. If the first item in the list is a gerund phrase ("developing new software"), the other items must also be gerund phrases.
- Strip away modifiers. Mentally remove adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases so you can see the bare grammatical skeleton. Focus on whether you're looking at nouns, verbs, gerunds, infinitives, or clauses.
- Pick the answer that matches. The correct answer will complete the pattern. It's often that straightforward.
This process takes seconds once you've practiced it. And because parallel structure questions follow the same logic every time, they're one of the most consistent point sources on the exam.
Common Misconceptions About Parallel Structure
Two things trip students up more than anything else:
- "It sounds fine to me." The SAT doesn't care what sounds right, it cares about structural consistency. A sentence can sound passable and still break parallelism. Trust the form, not your ear.
- "Parallelism is just for lists." Not true. Comparisons and correlative conjunctions demand the same treatment. If a question uses "not only…but also," both sides must match grammatically, and the SAT knows that students forget this.
Practice Parallel Structure with SAT-Style Questions
Let's put this to work. Each question below mirrors what you'll see on the actual SAT Reading and Writing section. Start with the easier ones and build up.
Which revision corrects the error in parallel structure?
Which revision best maintains parallel structure with the correlative conjunction?
Which revision makes all three items in the list parallel?
Which revision creates proper parallel structure in the comparison?
Key Takeaways for Parallel Structure
- One rule governs everything: Items in a list, comparison, or paired construction must share the same grammatical form. Noun with noun. Gerund with gerund. Phrase with phrase.
- Conjunctions are your signposts: When you see "and," "or," "but," "not only…but also," "either…or," or "rather…than," immediately check both sides for matching structure.
- Strip away the noise: Long modifiers and prepositional phrases can disguise a broken pattern. Mentally remove them and compare the bare forms of each item.
- Trust the structure, not your ear: The SAT tests grammatical consistency, not whether a sentence "sounds okay." If the forms don't match, it's wrong, even if it sounds fine at first glance.
Conclusion: The Core Rule for Parallel Structure
Parallel structure is one of the most learnable and predictable concepts on the SAT Reading and Writing section. The rule never changes, the signals are always the same (conjunctions, lists, comparisons), and the fix is always straightforward: make the forms match. With even a small amount of focused practice, you can turn these into points you collect almost automatically on test day.
Remember: Find the pattern, strip the noise, match the form. That's parallel structure, and that's your points.
