Which sentence demonstrates proper parallel structure?

Which sentence demonstrates proper parallel structure?

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

Answer: (B)

Parallel structure means items in a list share the same grammatical form. Here, after the verb like, the three activities should all have the same form. The best sentence keeps all three as -ing forms (gerunds): reading, writing, and painting. That consistency makes the sentence flow naturally and clearly. The other options break the pattern by mixing forms: one uses an infinitive (to write) while the others are gerunds; another mixes an infinitive, a gerund, and a base form; and another ends with the base form paint instead of the -ing form painting. These mixtures disrupt rhythm and clarity, showing why the reading, writing, and painting version is the proper parallel structure.

Parallel structure means items in a list share the same grammatical form. Here, after the verb like, the three activities should all have the same form. The best sentence keeps all three as -ing forms (gerunds): reading, writing, and painting. That consistency makes the sentence flow naturally and clearly.

The other options break the pattern by mixing forms: one uses an infinitive (to write) while the others are gerunds; another mixes an infinitive, a gerund, and a base form; and another ends with the base form paint instead of the -ing form painting. These mixtures disrupt rhythm and clarity, showing why the reading, writing, and painting version is the proper parallel structure.