Understand why 'lifting weights' breaks parallel structure in Maudie’s gym sentence and how to fix it

Spotting the snag: a tiny stumble that trips up readers

If you’ve ever skimmed a sentence and felt the rhythm stumble, you’re not imagining things. Small mistakes in parallel structure can make even a smart sentence feel clunky. Take this example a lot of people notice in writing about routines:

When she went to the gym, Maudie liked to run on the treadmill for 45 minutes, lifting weights, then to take a yoga class.

The correct answer to what’s off is “lifting weights.” That phrase breaks the flow. But why does it break the flow? Because the sentence is trying to list three gym activities in the same way, and one of those items doesn’t follow the same grammatical pattern as the others.

Let me explain the idea in plain terms, because it shows up more often than you might think.

What parallel structure really means

Parallel structure is all about keeping parts of a sentence in the same form. When you list actions, descriptions, or ideas, you want each item to match the same grammatical shape. If you’re using infinitives (“to run,” “to lift,” “to take”), then every item in the list should be an infinitive, not a mix of infinitives and gerunds (the -ing forms like “running,” “lifting,” “taking”).

In our sentence, the first item is “to run on the treadmill” (an infinitive), the second item is “lifting weights” (a gerund), and the third item is “to take a yoga class” (an infinitive). That mix—the gerund sneaking in—throws off the rhythm and makes the sentence harder to parse.

Why it matters beyond a single test question

Good parallel structure isn’t just for tests. It makes writing smoother and swifter to read. When every item in a list has the same shape, readers glide from one idea to the next. They don’t have to pause to re-parse the grammar; they focus on meaning. This matters whether you’re drafting a quick email, a reflection, or a short piece for a learning audience.

So what’s the fix?

Two clean ways to restore balance

You have two straightforward paths to fix the sentence. Pick one, and the pattern stays consistent.

Option 1: Use all infinitives

• corrected version: “When she went to the gym, Maudie liked to run on the treadmill, to lift weights, and to take a yoga class.”

Option 2: Use all gerunds

• alternative but parallel version: “When she went to the gym, Maudie liked running on the treadmill, lifting weights, and taking a yoga class.”

Both keep the three activities in the same grammatical groove. If you want to keep the rhythm of the original sentence with a time cue (“for 45 minutes”), you can place it after the first item or after the introductory phrase—whatever keeps the list uniform.

A quick mental checklist you can use anytime

• Scan for lists: Are you listing verbs, nouns, or phrases that look the same? If you start with “to …,” aim for all items to start with “to ….”

• Watch the -ing forms: If you slip a gerund into the mix, switch it to the corresponding infinitive or switch everything to gerunds.

• Check for consistency with conjunctions: When you see “and” or commas connecting items, you want the same form on each side.

• Read aloud: If the sentence trips on the tongue, that’s a red flag you should re-balance.

Put into practice with a couple quick examples

Here are a few lines that often show up in writing across everyday life. See how the fix changes the feel?

• Original: “She planned to visit the market, cooking a meal, and to tidy the kitchen.”

• Fix it two ways: “to visit the market, to cook a meal, and to tidy the kitchen” or “visiting the market, cooking a meal, and tidying the kitchen.”

• Original: “The manager wanted to review the report, making notes, and to call a team huddle.”

• Fix it: “to review the report, to make notes, and to call a team huddle” or “reviewing the report, making notes, and calling a team huddle.”

Notice how the rhythm tightens once you pick one pattern and stick with it?

A few more insights that can help your everyday writing

• Parallel structure isn’t only about verbs. It applies to phrases, clauses, and even longer lists. If you start with adjectives, keep them in the same form: “clear, concise, and direct” rather than “clear, concisely, and direct.”

• Infinitives aren’t wrong; they’re just easier to compare when everyone in a list follows the same form. If you prefer infinitives, go with “to …” across the board. If you like -ing forms, mirror that choice for every item.

• Rhythm matters. A sentence’s cadence—how it sounds when spoken—often reveals where the balance is off. If your tongue trips on one item, it’s a cue to rework that part.

A small detour that helps the main point land

Fast forward to a real-world context: imagine you’re drafting a short update for a team newsletter or a project summary. You want readers to grasp the sequence of activities quickly, without getting hung up on grammar. Parallel structure is your invisible handrail. It guides the reader smoothly from one idea to the next. When you notice a subtle mismatch, you can fix it in seconds, and the whole paragraph gains clarity. It’s the kind of polish that shows you care about the reader’s experience.

Turning the concept into a tiny routine

• Before you publish or send, do a one-line check: “Are all items in any list the same form?” If not, pick a form and adjust.

• If a sentence feels longer than you’d like, break it into two short sentences, keeping the parallel pattern in each.

• When you reread, read aloud. If you hit a snag, that snag is your cue to revise.

Why this matters for learning audiences

For students and anyone delving into structured writing, parallel structure is a foundational tool. It helps your ideas land with crispness and confidence. It’s not about sounding fancy; it’s about making your point clearly and efficiently. And yes, it’s one of those small but mighty details that show up in exams, rubrics, and real-world writing alike.

Practical tools that help without taking over your life

• Readability aids like the Hemingway Editor or Grammarly can flag awkward lists or mismatched forms. Use them as a mirror, not a boss.

• Style guides from schools or organizations often emphasize parallel structure in grammar sections. They’re a quick reference when you want a refresher.

• A simple checklist sticker on your desk: “Are all items parallel?” It’s a tiny nudge that pays off.

Final takeaway: tiny edits, big impact

The moment you spot a mismatch in a list, you’ve unlocked a smoother read. The sentence about Maudie at the gym becomes clean and confident when every activity follows the same grammatical path. You’re not just fixing grammar; you’re sharpening clarity, rhythm, and reach.

If you’re reading for the kind of assessments that test understanding of sentence structure, remember this: the smallest shapes in your sentence matter. A single gerund creeping into an infinitive line can throw off the flow. Choose a form you like, apply it consistently, and your writing will sound effortless—even when the content covers multiple activities, steps, or ideas.

One last nudge before you go: next time you craft a list of actions, pause for a beat. Check the form. If it all matches, you’ll notice the text feels smoother, more purposeful, and far easier to follow. And that’s the mark of writing that communicates, not just fills space.