ACT Parallelism Practice Questions with Answers

Mastering parallelism is one of the most effective ways to boost your score on the English section of the ACT. Parallelism ensures that elements in a sentence that serve the same function follow the same grammatical form, creating a rhythm that makes writing easier to read and understand. By recognizing patterns in lists, phrases, and comparisons, you can quickly identify and fix errors that the ACT frequently tests. This guide provides comprehensive ACT Parallelism practice questions to help you refine your skills and approach the exam with confidence.

Concept Explanation

ACT Parallelism is a grammatical rule requiring that items in a series, list, or comparison maintain the same grammatical structure to ensure clarity and balance. When you encounter a list of actions, for instance, they should all be in the same tense or form (e.g., all ending in "-ing" or all in the simple past). This concept extends beyond simple lists to include phrases joined by coordinating conjunctions like "and," "but," or "or," as well as correlative conjunctions such as "either/or" and "not only/but also." For a broader look at the English section, you can explore ACT English Practice Questions with Answers to see how parallelism fits into the larger test structure.

Parallelism generally applies in three main scenarios on the ACT:

• Lists: If a sentence lists three hobbies, they must match. Incorrect: "I like hiking, swimming, and to run." Correct: "I like hiking, swimming, and running."
• Comparisons: When comparing two things using "than" or "as," the things being compared must be equivalent. Incorrect: "Driving a car is faster than to ride a bike." Correct: "Driving a car is faster than riding a bike."
• Correlative Conjunctions: Pairs like "neither/nor" require structural symmetry. Incorrect: "He was not only talented but also he worked hard." Correct: "He was not only talented but also hardworking."

Understanding these patterns is essential for the ACT Prep process. Standardized tests like the ACT and SAT prioritize "economy of expression" and logical consistency, both of which are anchored by parallel structure. For more detailed grammar rules, you might consult the Purdue OWL guide on parallel structure.

Solved Examples

1. Example 1: Lists of Verbs
   Sentence: To prepare for the triathlon, Sarah practiced cycling, swimming, and she ran every morning.
   Step-by-Step Solution:
   1. Identify the list: "cycling," "swimming," and "she ran."
   2. Check the forms: "Cycling" and "swimming" are gerunds (-ing). "She ran" is a clause.
   3. Make them match: Change "she ran" to the gerund "running."
   4. Corrected Sentence: Sarah practiced cycling, swimming, and running every morning.
2. Example 2: Comparisons
   Sentence: The instructions for the new software are much clearer than the old manual.
   Step-by-Step Solution:
   1. Identify what is being compared: "The instructions" vs. "the old manual."
   2. Check for logic: You cannot compare "instructions" (plural) to a "manual" (singular object) in this context; you must compare instructions to instructions.
   3. Adjust for parallelism: Add "those in" to refer back to the instructions.
   4. Corrected Sentence: The instructions for the new software are much clearer than those in the old manual.
3. Example 3: Correlative Conjunctions
   Sentence: The professor is not only known for her brilliant lectures but also for her research being published.
   Step-by-Step Solution:
   1. Identify the pair: "not only... but also."
   2. Check the structure after "not only": "known for her brilliant lectures" (prepositional phrase).
   3. Check the structure after "but also": "for her research being published" (wordy clause).
   4. Simplify to match: Make the second part a direct prepositional phrase.
   5. Corrected Sentence: The professor is not only known for her brilliant lectures but also for her published research.

Practice Questions

Identify the error in parallelism in the following sentences and choose the most logical correction. Some questions may require you to ensure the sentence is concise and stylistically consistent.

1. The chef spent the afternoon chopping vegetables, marinating the steak, and he prepared the dessert.
2. Many students find that studying in short bursts is more effective than to cram for hours the night before.
3. The committee decided to postpone the vote, to revise the proposal, and they will meet again in October.

4. Success in professional sports requires not only physical talent but also having a strong mental game.
5. The interior designer recommended painting the walls off-white, installing hardwood floors, and to replace the old lighting fixtures.
6. To visit the Louvre in Paris is just as exciting as when you see the Colosseum in Rome.
7. The new smartphone is praised for its sleek design, its high-resolution camera, and it has a long battery life.
8. Either we must find a way to reduce our carbon footprint, or we must accept the consequences of climate change.
9. The manager asked the employees to arrive on time, to dress professionally, and that they should stay focused during meetings.
10. Watching a movie at home is often more relaxing than the experience of going to a crowded theater.

Answers & Explanations

1. Correction: ...and preparing the dessert. The list uses gerunds ("chopping," "marinating"). "He prepared" breaks the pattern. Using AI Question Generator tools can help you find more examples of this common list error.
2. Correction: ...than cramming for hours. The first part of the comparison uses "studying" (gerund). To maintain parallelism, "to cram" (infinitive) should be changed to "cramming."
3. Correction: ...and meeting again in October. The list starts with infinitives ("to postpone," "to revise"). You could also use "to meet," but keep the structure consistent across all three items.
4. Correction: ...but also a strong mental game. After "not only" is a noun phrase ("physical talent"). After "but also" should be a matching noun phrase without the unnecessary "having."
5. Correction: ...and replacing the old lighting fixtures. The list consists of gerund phrases: "painting...," "installing..." The third item must also be a gerund ("replacing").
6. Correction: ...as visiting the Colosseum in Rome. The sentence starts with an infinitive phrase ("To visit..."). While "visiting" is a gerund, it creates a parallel comparison of actions better than the clause "when you see."
7. Correction: ...and its long battery life. The list uses possessive noun phrases ("its sleek design," "its high-resolution camera"). "It has a..." is a full clause and should be simplified to match.
8. Correct as written. This sentence follows the "Either [clause], or [clause]" structure perfectly. Both sides of the conjunction involve "we must [verb]."
9. Correction: ...and to stay focused during meetings. The list uses the infinitive form ("to arrive," "to dress"). "That they should stay" is a dependent clause that breaks the pattern.
10. Correction: ...than going to a crowded theater. The sentence compares "watching" (gerund) to "the experience of going." For directness and parallelism, "going" should be used alone to match "watching."

1. Which of the following sentences uses correct parallel structure?

• AThe athlete enjoys running, to swim, and biking.
• BThe athlete enjoys running, swimming, and biking.
• CThe athlete enjoys to run, swimming, and to bike.
• DThe athlete enjoys running, swimming, and he bikes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common parallelism error on the ACT?

The most common error is mixing verb forms in a list, such as combining an infinitive (to walk) with a gerund (running). Students often fail to notice these because they sound acceptable in casual conversation but are grammatically incorrect on the exam.

Does parallelism apply to adjectives?

Yes, if you are describing a noun with a string of adjectives, they should all be adjectives. You should not mix an adjective with a relative clause, such as saying a person is "honest, kind, and has a lot of energy" instead of "honest, kind, and energetic."

How can I identify parallelism questions quickly?

Look for "trigger words" like and, but, or, than, as, and pairs like neither/nor. When you see these, immediately check the structures on both sides to ensure they match in grammatical form and function.

Why is parallelism important for the ACT?

Parallelism is a key component of the ACT English section because it tests your ability to recognize logical consistency and concise writing. It accounts for several questions per test and is often a deciding factor in achieving a high score in the conventions of standard English.

Can parallelism involve whole clauses?

Absolutely. If a sentence contains a series of dependent clauses, each clause should start with the same word (like "that" or "who") and follow the same subject-verb order to maintain a professional and clear tone.