Rule

The parts joined by “not only ... but also” must have the same grammatical form.

Question

Choose the sentence that uses parallel structure.

Options

• (A) She is not only intelligent but also works hard.
• (B) She is not only intelligent but also hardworking.
• (C) She is not only intelligent, but she also hardworking.
• (D) Not only she is intelligent but also hardworking.

Answer

(B) She is not only intelligent but also hardworking.

Solution

1. After not only comes the adjective intelligent, so the part after but also must be an adjective too.
2. Hardworking is an adjective, which makes option B parallel.
3. In option A, works hard is a verb phrase. Options C and D are also grammatically faulty.