Which sentence best uses parallel structure?
A My sisters are all artistic-Patricia writes, Mary sculpts, and
B My sisters are all artistic-Patricia writes poetry, Mary sculpt
C My sisters are all artistic-Patricia is a poet, Mary makes sCL
D My sisters are all artistic-Patricia creates poems, Mary crea
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The sentence that best uses parallel structure is:
D. My sisters are all artistic—Patricia creates poems, Mary creates sculptures, and Carla creates paintings.
Explanation:
Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, is a stylistic rule in writing where related ideas are presented in the same grammatical format. This improves readability and enhances the rhythm and flow of a sentence. Let’s analyze the options:
A. My sisters are all artistic—Patricia writes, Mary sculpts, and
This sentence is incomplete, but even if it were complete, it lacks parallelism because “writes” and “sculpts” differ in grammatical form.
B. My sisters are all artistic—Patricia writes poetry, Mary sculpt
This option lacks parallel structure because “writes poetry” and “sculpt” do not align in tense or grammatical form. The correct form would have been “Patricia writes poetry, Mary sculpts statues.”
C. My sisters are all artistic—Patricia is a poet, Mary makes sculptures
This sentence changes the structure by describing Patricia as a “poet” (a noun) while using “makes sculptures” (a verb phrase) for Mary. The mismatch disrupts the parallelism.
D. My sisters are all artistic—Patricia creates poems, Mary creates sculptures, and Carla creates paintings.
This option is correct because it uses consistent structure: each subject (“Patricia,” “Mary,” and “Carla”) is followed by the same verb phrase (“creates [object]”). All elements are grammatically and stylistically aligned.
Importance of Parallel Structure:
- Clarity: Ensures ideas are presented in a logical, balanced way.
- Flow: Creates rhythm, making sentences easier to read and more engaging.
- Consistency: Helps readers quickly grasp the connections between ideas.
For instance, in option D, the consistent repetition of “creates” emphasizes the shared artistic talents of the sisters, making the sentence smooth and effective.