Parallelism Basics

Question

Hi

Can someone please tell me if this sentence is correct or not, "I like to eat, dance and swim."

I think it is not parallel and should be "I like to eat, to dance and to swim." according to the rules but this sentence sounds so awkward.

Thanks!

AndrewN · Answer

Hello,  charlie138 . I would have no problem with either sentence. It is perfectly fine to list three verbs in the infinitive without placing  to  at the head of each one. It is not as though the second, more formal-sounding sentence is incorrect either. If I saw both in a Sentence Correction question, I would favor the more concise version but would turn to other considerations to make a sound judgment. (Eliminate what you  know  is wrong first, then test the rest.)

Good luck with your studies.

- Andrew

Russ19 · Answer

I completely agree with what AndrewN has said. Though both the sentences are correct, the second one is a bit wordy, so the first option is better between the two.

ramlala · Answer

If both sentences are in answer choice, I prefer first  "I like to eat, dance and swim" .
It is consice and streight to the point.

AndrewN · Answer

Hello again,  charlie138 . I would like to add to my earlier post that I would expect to see the infinitive marker  to  if its omission in the series might lead to confusion. For instance, a similar sentence might begin,

I like to eat a snack before I dance...

I would  not  place a comma and the word  dance  right after the first element in the series, but would indicate the second element by adding another  to :

I like to eat a snack before I dance, to dance as fluidly as my teacher...

Finally, since the first two elements of the list begin with  to , I would introduce the third in a similar (parallel) way:

I like to eat a snack before I dance, to dance as fluidly as my teacher, and to swim as gracefully as an eel.

You have to lean on contextual clues to make a determination sometimes. Again, in isolation, I would go with the more concise sentence you offered in the original post. But do not follow recommendations blindly. The clear expression of vital meaning should be your top consideration in SC.

- Andrew

Parallelism Basics

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards