Question 52·Easy·Form, Structure, and Sense
To make the manual easier to use, the editor recommended shortening sentences, trimming redundant words, and ______ headings for consistency.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For verb-form and parallel-structure questions, first identify any lists or paired phrases (often linked by commas and "and" or "or"). Check the form of the first item (for example, -ing form, to + verb, noun) and then quickly eliminate any answer choices that do not match that form. Read the sentence with the remaining choice(s) to confirm it sounds smooth and is grammatically consistent, without overthinking the meaning once the grammar is clearly correct.
Hints
Look at the verbs in the list
Focus on the three actions the editor recommended: "shortening sentences, trimming redundant words, and ______ headings." What forms are the first two verbs in?
Think about parallel structure
In lists, the SAT expects similar items to have the same grammatical form. Make sure the third action matches the form of "shortening" and "trimming."
Eliminate non-matching verb forms
Cross out any answer choices that are not in the same verb form as the first two actions after "recommended."
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the sentence structure
Read the whole sentence:
"To make the manual easier to use, the editor recommended shortening sentences, trimming redundant words, and ______ headings for consistency."
The key part is the list of actions after "recommended": "shortening... , trimming... , and ______ headings."
Identify the grammatical pattern
Notice that the first two actions in the list are verbs in the -ing form: "shortening" and "trimming." These are called gerunds here, and they are used in parallel after "recommended."
To follow parallel structure, the third action in the list should match this -ing form.
Compare each answer choice to the pattern
Check each option and see whether it matches the -ing form used in the list:
- One option is in the -ing form and works like "shortening" and "trimming."
- One is a base verb form (like "recommend"), which would break the pattern.
- One is a phrase starting with "having," which changes the time and structure.
- One is a simple present tense verb that would not fit smoothly in the list.
Only the -ing form will keep the grammar and rhythm of the list consistent.
Select the parallel -ing form
To keep the list parallel, the sentence should read: "...recommended shortening sentences, trimming redundant words, and standardizing headings for consistency."
So the correct answer is A) standardizing.