Quick Answer
Parallel structure is a grammatical requirement on the Digital SAT where words or phrases in a series must share the same grammatical form. This concept typically appears in the Standard English Conventions questions of the Reading and Writing modules, appearing approximately two to four times per test to ensure syntactical consistency.
Parallel structure, or parallelism, requires that items in a list or comparison maintain the same grammatical form, such as using all gerunds (-ing) or all infinitive phrases. If a sentence begins a series with a specific part of speech, every subsequent item must match that part of speech to maintain balance.
Question: To prepare for the marathon, Sarah spent her mornings running long distances, her afternoons [___], and her evenings stretching. Options: (A) lifting weights, (B) to lift weights, (C) she lifted weights, (D) weightlifting. Solution: The correct answer is (A). The list follows a gerund pattern ('running,' 'stretching'), so 'lifting weights' maintains parallel structure.
Switching verb tenses or forms mid-list, such as mixing gerunds with infinitives.
Ignoring the first element of a comparison, which sets the grammatical precedent for the second element.
Failing to repeat necessary prepositions or articles when required for structural clarity across long phrases.
Students targeting 750+ should know that parallel structure also applies to complex comparisons and correlative conjunctions; ensure that the phrase following 'not only' exactly matches the grammatical structure of the phrase following 'but also' to avoid subtle syntactical errors that the SAT frequently uses to distract high-scoring test-takers.
Coordinating Conjunction
A coordinating conjunction is a word used to connect words, phrases, or independent clauses on the Digital SAT. These seven words—for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so—typically appear in the Reading and Writing section under Standard English Conventions questions, where they are essential for fixing run-on sentences and comma splices.
Dangling Modifier
A dangling modifier is a grammatical error where a descriptive phrase lacks a clear subject to modify. On the Digital SAT Reading and Writing section, these typically appear in Standard English Conventions questions. This concept is tested approximately two to three times per exam, requiring students to identify the correct noun that should follow an introductory phrase.
Syntax
Syntax refers to the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences. On the Digital SAT, understanding syntax is essential for "Rhetorical Synthesis" and "Boundaries" questions. It appears frequently in the Reading and Writing section, where students must analyze how sentence structure influences the overall meaning and flow of a passage.
Parallel structure on the SAT is a rule requiring that items in a series, list, or comparison use the same grammatical form. In the Digital SAT Reading and Writing section, this ensures that sentences remain balanced and logical. For instance, if a list contains two nouns, the third item must also be a noun. This concept is typically tested within the Standard English Conventions question category.
To identify parallel structure, look for coordinating conjunctions like 'and' or 'or' that connect multiple items. Check the grammatical category of the first item in the sequence—such as a past-tense verb or a prepositional phrase. Every subsequent item in that list must match that specific category. If the items do not match, the sentence lacks parallelism and requires a correction to ensure syntactical symmetry.
Parallel structure focuses on the consistency between multiple items in a list or comparison, ensuring they share the same grammatical form. In contrast, subject-verb agreement ensures that a singular or plural subject matches the correctly conjugated form of its specific verb. While both are Standard English Conventions tested on the Digital SAT, parallelism deals with series balance while agreement deals with the relationship between a single actor and its action.
Parallel structure typically appears approximately one to three times across the two Reading and Writing modules of the Digital SAT. While it is not the most common grammar rule, it is a consistent feature of the Standard English Conventions questions. Because these questions are often straightforward, mastering parallelism is a reliable way for students to gain points and improve their overall verbal score.
