Which sentence demonstrates proper parallel structure?

• A. I like reading, writing, and hiking.
• B. I like reading, to write, and hiking.
• C. I like reading, writing, hiking.
• D. I like reading, writing, and to hike.

Answer: (B)

Parallel structure means keeping the same grammatical form for items in a list after a verb. When you say what you like, each item should be presented in the same shape so the sentence reads evenly. The strongest choice lists all three activities as gerunds: reading, writing, hiking. Keeping everything in -ing form gives equal weight to each activity and a smooth, balanced rhythm. Mixing forms, like including an infinitive such as to write with the gerunds, breaks that balance and sounds off to the reader. Leaving out the coordinating conjunction before the last item can also disrupt the clean, parallel flow of a series. So, using the same form for every item best demonstrates parallel structure.