Which sentence demonstrates proper parallel structure?

Which sentence demonstrates proper parallel structure?

• A. The study aimed to examine, to analyze, and to report the results.
• B. The study aims to examine, analyzes, and report the results.
• C. The study examined, analyzing, and reported the results.
• D. The study examining, analyzing, and reporting the results.

Answer: (A)

Parallel structure means keeping the same grammatical form in items that belong together. In this sentence, after “aimed,” each item uses the same infinitive pattern: “to examine,” “to analyze,” and “to report.” That uniform form creates a smooth, balanced list and clearly expresses three related goals. The other options break that pattern. One mixes verb forms (analyzes and report lack the same infinitive form after “aims to”), another uses mismatched tenses (examined, analyzing, and reported), and another relies on participles modifying the noun rather than listing parallel actions. Keeping all three items as infinitives after the leading verb makes the structure clear and correct.

Parallel structure means keeping the same grammatical form in items that belong together. In this sentence, after “aimed,” each item uses the same infinitive pattern: “to examine,” “to analyze,” and “to report.” That uniform form creates a smooth, balanced list and clearly expresses three related goals.

The other options break that pattern. One mixes verb forms (analyzes and report lack the same infinitive form after “aims to”), another uses mismatched tenses (examined, analyzing, and reported), and another relies on participles modifying the noun rather than listing parallel actions. Keeping all three items as infinitives after the leading verb makes the structure clear and correct.