Grammar in TOEFL Test

TOEFL Grammar Rules

Structure & Written Expression:
• Ability to identify the correct sentence
structure

• Ability to recognize correct grammar and

to detect errors in standard written English
 • Correct sentence
structure
Structure and •
Correct grammar
Written
Expression
• Detect errors in
standard written
English
• There are a lot of topics you should be
focusing on during the studying TOEFL
preparation, and grammar is one of them,
even though the TOEFL has no questions
specifically on grammar, you’ll be tested
on your own grammar skills, 
• There are some grammar rules that many
English learners find tricky to remember and
use correctly, but that’s what this course is
for! We go over the top 11 grammar rules
to know for the TOEFL, complete with
examples and short quizzes for each rule
so you can test your knowledge. We end
with the best methods and resources to use
for your TOEFL grammar practice.
• For the structure and written expression
sections, where you need to come up with
your own answers and can’t just fill in a
bubble, test graders will be looking for
grammatical errors. If you have a lot of
errors in your TOEFL English grammar, it
will definitely hurt your score in these
sections.
• So, your structure and written expression
responses need to have great grammar for
you to get good scores. This course will lead
you to learn how to improve your grammar
and avoid many of the common mistakes
English learners make.
• These below are the most common
grammar issues English learners
struggle with. For each rule we’ve included
examples and a short quiz so you can test
your knowledge.
#1: Run-on Sentences
• Run-on sentences are a common issue,
especially when you’re nervous and trying to
fit in as many words as possible. As a result,
many TOEFL test-takers have essays and
Speaking responses filled with run-on
sentences. Not only are run-on sentences
grammatically incorrect, but they can
also make it hard for graders to
understand what you’re trying to say. 
• So, read these carefully to avoiding run-on
sentences:
• A run-on sentence happens when two or
more independent clauses are
incorrectly combined into one
sentence. Each sentence should have one
subject and one verb unless multiple
clauses have been correctly
combined. There are several ways to
properly combine multiple independent
clauses:
• Wait a second what
is independent
clause??
Independent Clause
An independent clause is a clause that can
stand on its own, by itself. It does not need to
be joined to any other clauses, because it
contains all the information necessary to be a
complete sentences.
Independent clauses have three components:
• They have a subject - they tell the reader
what the sentence is about.
• They have an action or predicate - they tell
the reader what the subject is doing.
• They express a complete thought -
something happened or was said.
An independent clause can be as simple as a
subject and a verb:
• Jim reads.
• Jim is the subject. Reads is the action or
verb. A complete thought was expressed -
something was said, and the reader now
knows that Jim likes to read.
• Independent clauses can also be joined to
other independent clauses, if the
independent clauses are related. However,
they MUST be joined using the proper
punctuation.
Jim read a book; he really enjoyed the book.
• The first clause is an independent clause. Jim is
the subject, read is the action, book is the object.
• The second clause is an independent clause. He
is the subject, enjoyed is the action and the book
is the object. The independent clauses are
related, so they can be joined to create a
complex sentence. They are correctly joined by
a semicolon.
Jim read a book, he really enjoyed the book.
• Again, we have two independent clauses,
but the independent clauses are not joined
properly. When two independent clauses are
joined only be a comma, it is a grammatical
error called a comma splice.
• Independent clauses can be quite complex,
but the important thing to remember is that
they stand on their own and make sense
alone.
• Separate the clauses with a semi-colon.
• Separate the clauses with a semi-colon and a
linking word such
as therefore, thus, however, consequently, further
more, also, and nevertheless.
• Separate the clauses with a comma and a
coordinating conjunction such
as for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.
• You can also use a period to separate the clauses.
• Ex. Madeleine went to the store she found a
pair of shoes she really liked.
Above is a run-on sentence. Below are correct
versions of it.
– Madeleine went to the store; she found a pair of
shoes she really liked.
– Madeleine went to the store; consequently, she
found a pair of shoes she really liked.
– Madeleine went to the store, and she found a
pair of shoes she really liked.
– Madeleine went to the store. She found a pair of
shoes she really liked.
Exercise 1
Select the grammatically correct sentences from
the options below.
1. I asked Chad not to go to the party, but he didn’t
listen to me.
2. Erika bought some ice cream it’s her favorite
flavor.
3. I went to the baseball game, and caught a fly ball.
4. When you stop by Claire’s house be sure to
check out her new pool it’s very big.
5. The dog rolled in the mud, and then he decided
to take a nap.
#2: Use Present (Not Future) Tense
After Time Clauses
• Another common mistake many English
learners make is using the word “will” when
it’s not needed. This is especially common
during Speaking responses, when you don’t
have as much time to think about what
you’re going to say compared to Writing.
• Do not use “will” to refer to the future in
time clauses. Time clauses are typically
those that being with a time expression,
such as when, as, as soon
as, while, after, until, and before.
• Use present tense, not future tense, with
time clauses which simply means
removing the “will” from the sentence.
• Ex. As soon as the dishes are done, you
can go out and play. (Not “as soon as the
dishes will be done”)
• Ex. After the movie ends, head back to
class. (Not “after the movie will end”)
• Ex. While I mow the lawn, my brother will be
trimming the trees. (Not “while I will be
mowing the lawn”)
Exercise 2
Decide if the following sentences are correct or
incorrect.
1. I will go to the beach after it stops raining.
2. As soon as I will graduate, I’ll get a job.
3. No matter what I say, my parents will not let me
dye my hair.
4. Until your chores will be done, you can’t play
video games.
5. You will get your groceries while I will shop for
clothes.
#3: Defined vs. Undefined Articles
• Articles are little words that can cause
English learners a lot of problems. “A” is
the indefinite article that is used in front
of general or undefined nouns. (If the
noun begins with a vowel, “an” is used.)
• “The” is the definite article used for
people, places, or things that are
“defined” for the speaker. When you use
“the” in front of a noun, you’re referring to a
specific object that you know.
Here are the main times when you should use
“the” as an article:
#1: With a specific or defined object.
• Ex. The school’s soccer field was in need of
upgrades.
#2: If it’s something that has been
mentioned before.
• Ex. The restaurant you recommended was
great.
#3: With superlatives.
• Ex. This is the best score you’ve ever gotten
on a test.
#4: With ordinal numbers.
• Ex. The café is the second building on the
right.
Exercise 3
Insert the correct article in the blanks.
1. I really want to go to ____ movie theater
my brother told me about.
2. I need to buy ____ updated lock for the
door.
3. Michael made ____ worst cake I’ve ever
tasted.
4. ___ duck on the left is diving for food.
5. I see ___ duck in the pond.
#4: Could, Should, and Would
These three words sound very similar to each
other, but they each have their own specific
meaning and aren’t interchangeable.
• Could: Used to describe things you were
able to do in the past, describe future
possibilities, and make polite requests.
• Ex. Before I got sick, I could run five miles without
stopping.
• Ex. If you practice every day, you could win the
spelling bee.
• Ex. Could I have some dessert?
Should: Used to give advice.
– Ex. You should rest before exercising again.

Would: Used to describe what you’d do in

unlikely situations. Also used to offer
something politely.
– Ex. I would quit my job if I won the lottery.
– Ex. Would you like some dessert?
Exercise 4
Insert could, should, or would into each
blank.
1. My doctor said I ______ eat more vegetables.
2. If I were president, I ______ make college free
for everyone.
3. ______ you like the check, sir?
4. Before I got married, I _______ stay out every
night if I wanted to.
5. I _____ make dinner if you’d like to take a
nap.