Infinitives keep Cinderella's task list smooth and parallel, showing how to choose the right verb form for clear writing

What Cinderella can teach us about clean, clear lists

If you’ve ever written a to-do list that reads like a jumble of mishmashed verbs, you’re not alone. Good writing thrives on rhythm as much as it does on accuracy. A tiny grammar trick—parallel structure—can turn a bland sentence into something that reads smoothly, almost effortlessly. And yes, it matters when you’re answering questions on the PACT Writing Test, where a tidy flow can make the difference between a correct answer and a puzzling one.

Let’s start with the Cinderella connection

Picture Cinderella, going through her daily tasks one by one. In a lot of classroom examples, teachers like to present a string of chores in a way that invites you to notice whether they’re all in the same form. The key question is simple: when you list multiple actions, do they all look and feel the same?

In our example, the list wants to read with the same verb form. The best choice is “to air out the laundry.” That’s the infinitive form, the same shape that would come after a lead-in like “to” in a series: to sweep, to dust, to air out. The other options—“to be airing out the laundry,” “to have aired out the laundry,” or “air out the laundry”—break the rhythm in subtle but noticeable ways.

Here’s the thing: parallel structure isn’t just a fancy term for “the same word again.” It’s about keeping the grammatical form consistent across items in a series. When you do that, the sentence hums along; when you don’t, it feels a little off, like a step in a dance that doesn’t quite match the beat.

Why the infinitive form wins here

Let me explain with a quick tour of grammar basics, because it helps to see the pattern in action.

• Infinitives after a lead-in: When you have a list of tasks introduced by something like “to” or a general phrase “to do,” the natural, clean choice is to keep each item in the same infinitive form. So you’d say: “to wash, to dry, to air out.”

• Tense consistency matters: If you mix a present participle (“washing,” “drying”), a perfect form (“to have washed”), and an imperative (“wash!”), you’re signaling different times or moods. That muddles the cadence of the list and makes the passage harder to skim.

• Imperatives aren’t always right for lists: If you’re listing tasks that belong to a subject, you want the verbs to sit in the same slot in the sentence. An imperative like “air out the laundry” jumps out of that slot and stands apart.

Think of it as a row of parked cars all facing the same direction. If one lane has cars facing forward and another has cars turned sideways, you notice the mismatch right away. The infinitive form keeps the whole row aligned.

How this shows up in the PACT Writing Test (without turning into a drill)

On the PACT Writing Test, you’ll see prompts and multiple-choice options that invite you to judge or choose the best phrasing. Parallel structure is a frequent and reliable clue. If you can keep an eye on the pattern, you’ll spot the “one of these things is not like the others” moment fast.

Tips you can actually use in a quiet, everyday way

• Scan for the same form at the start of each item. If you’ve got a list after a “to,” make sure every item also starts with “to.”

• Read aloud. If the sentence trips on one part, it’s often because the form isn’t parallel.

• Check tense and mood. Are you listing tasks that should all feel like they’re happening at once? If so, keep the same tense.

• Swap and test. If you’re unsure, try replacing one item with another form that fits. If the sentence still sounds natural, you’re likely on the right track.

A little exercise to sharpen your eye

Consider this short, Cinderella-flavored list and ask yourself which version feels the most balanced:

• to sweep, to dust, to air out the laundry

• sweeping, dusting, and airing out the laundry

• to sweep, dust, and air out the laundry

• sweep, dust, and air out the laundry

If you want a clean, uniform rhythm, the first option (to sweep, to dust, to air out the laundry) keeps a consistent infinitive form across all items. The third option is close, but it slips a tense form in because “dust” isn’t preceded by “to.” The second option shifts to gerunds (“sweeping,” “dusting,” “airing”), which works in some contexts, but not in a list that began with “to.” The fourth option drops the helper “to,” turning into an imperative vibe, which breaks the pattern whenever the rest stays in infinitive form.

Practicing in real life: beyond Cinderella

Where else does this live in daily writing? Think about any list you craft—bullet points in a report, a description of steps in a recipe, or instructions for a project. If you want your prose to feel coherent and calm, you want all the verbs to march in the same groove.

• A product description might read: “to highlight the features, to compare with alternatives, to address common questions.” The infinitive pattern keeps the cadence steady and helps a reader glide from one feature to the next without jolting the ear.

• An email outlining tasks could say: “to review the draft, to add notes, to send the final version.” Again, the infinitive form does the heavy lifting for rhythm.

But when is it okay to mix forms? In some cases, yes—if the aim is to emphasize a shift in time, mood, or responsibility. For example, you might write, “The team will review the draft, then update the client, and finally decide on the next steps.” Here, the structure shifts to a sequence of future actions and uses a combination that makes sense for that narrative arc. The trick is to know when the shift serves clarity and when it just adds noise.

A quick, practical toolkit for writers

• Create a mental checklist: If you’re listing actions after a phrase that includes “to,” try to keep each item in the same infinitive form.

• Use parallel structure as a readability cue: A smooth list usually signals that the sentence is doing its job well. When it stumbles, your reader stumbles too.

• Practice with mini-prompts: Write two versions of a sentence—one with proper parallelism, one without. Read them aloud and notice the difference in rhythm.

Cultural aside: rhythm in language matters

People often underestimate how much cadence guides understanding. You can noun-noun-verb lists in everyday speech, and they still feel natural when the form aligns. In English, rhythm is a real teammate; it helps ideas land. When you’re balancing a sentence about tasks, the memory of that rhythm is what keeps the listener or reader engaged, from the first word to the last.

A few more examples to cement the idea

• Small, well-tuned lists are everywhere:

• Correct parallelism: “to wash the dishes, to dry the dishes, to put them away.”

• A common pitfall: “to wash the dishes, drying the dishes, and put away the dishes.” The mix breaks the pattern.

• For a set of steps in a how-to guide:

• Good: “to measure the ingredients, to mix them, to bake until golden.”

• Not as clean: “measuring the ingredients, mixing them, and bake until golden.” The first two want “to” at the start for uniformity.

What this means for you, reader

If you’re navigating the PACT Writing Test, the ability to maintain parallel structure is more than a grammar trick. It’s a navigational aid—the compass that helps you steer through questions with confidence. When a prompt asks you to choose the best completion, your ear can tell you which option keeps the sentence’s rhythm intact. And when you’re crafting your own sentences, it’s a reliable dial you can tune to improve clarity and flow.

A final thought, in case you’re wondering about the bigger picture

Language has a gentle economy. We want to say enough to be clear, but not so much that the reader gets lost in a tangle of forms. Parallel structure is one of those quiet champions that lets the words do the heavy lifting without shouting. It’s the difference between a sentence that reads like a hurried note and one that feels almost stately in its balance.

If you’re curious to see more real-world examples beyond Cinderella, you’ll find parallelism in product listings, how-to guides, and even in thoughtful opinion pieces. The trick is to watch for the shape of the verbs, not just their meaning. When the shape stays the same, the message lands with a calm, assured cadence.

Resources to keep handy (for when you want to peek under the hood)

• A reliable grammar reference like The Chicago Manual of Style or Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style can reinforce the idea of parallel structure.

• A quick grammar guide or reputable online resource (Merriam-Webster or Purdue OWL) often has clear, practical examples you can study in minutes.

• Reading aloud as a routine habit helps you feel rhythm without overthinking. If it sounds clunky, it probably is.

In the end, the correct choice for Cinderella’s task list, “to air out the laundry,” isn’t just about one sentence. It’s a reminder that good writing flows when we keep form in harmony with meaning. It’s a small rule, but a big one for clarity, rhythm, and a reader-friendly voice—whether you’re drafting a brief note, a blog post, or a set of directions.

So next time you’re tempted to mix verb forms in a list, pause. Ask yourself: do all the items share the same shape? If they do, you’re likely to end up with sentences that read cleanly and feel natural—just like a well-timed line in a fairy tale. And that, as you can tell, makes any piece of writing a touch more magical.