Download COLEGIO SANTA FRANCISCA ROMANA ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

COLEGIO SANTA FRANCISCA ROMANA
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT – 10TH GRADE
GRAMMAR REVIEW FOR TOEFL STRUCTURE SECTION
I.
VERBS
1. Verb phrases that require an ing form in the complement:
Approve of do not mind keep on be better off forget about look forward
to can’t help get through object to get used to be used to …(prep)
- We wouldn’t mind to wait I have been looking forward to meet you
- She was used to get up early She used to speaking in public She got used to...
2. Logical conclusions – events in the past:
Must followed by have and a participle expresses a logical conclusion based
on evidence. The conclusion is about an event that happened in the past. An
observation in the present may serve as the basis for a conclusion about
something that happened in the past. Ex: “here is a message on my desk.” It
may be concluded that “my friend must have called last night.” Avoid using
should or can instead of must. Avoid using a verb word instead of have and a
participle when referring to events in the past:
- The streets are wet; it should have rained last night.
- This pen won’t write; it can have run out of ink.
- The ring that I was looking at is gone; someone else must buy it.
3. Logical Conclusions – events in the present
Must followed by be and an ing form or an adjective expresses a logical
conclusion based on evidence. The conclusion is about an event that is
happening now. – The line is busy; someone should be using the phone now.
- Bob is absent; he must have been sick again.
4. Advisability – Had Better
Had better is also a modal and it is used to express advice for the future. It is
not used for the past. Avoid using an infinitive or a past form after it:
- You had better to hurry - We had better made reservations so that we…
- You had better don’t go alone
5. Preference – Would Rather
Would rather is similar to a modal. Although it appears to be a past, it really
expresses preference in present and future time. Avoid using an infinitive or an
ing form: - She told me that she’d rather not to serve on the committee.
- I’d rather not going - Greg would rather has a Pepsi than a beer.
6. Preference for Another – Would Rather That
Would rather that introduces a clause. The other person or thing is the subject
of the clause. Although the verb is past tense, the preference is for the present
or future time. Avoid using a present verb; avoid using don’t or doesn’t instead
of didn’t: - I would rather that you drive - I’d rather that you don’t drive
7. Negative Imperatives
Remember that an imperative is expressed by a verb word. Avoid using an
infinitive instead of a verb word. Avoid using don’t after would you please:
- Would you please don’t smoke - Would you please not to be late
8. Problems with Causatives
Causatives are main verbs that cause people or machines to do things or cause
things to change. Here the causatives are listed from the most forceful to the
least forceful: make, get, have, let, help. In a causative, a person does not
perform an action directly. The person causes it to happen by forcing another
person to do it.
Make: avoid using infinitive,past or ing form: - She made the baby to take a nap
- I can’t seem to make this dishwasher running. – I made her studied.
Get: Use an infinitive after a person; use a participle after things:
- Let’s get Ralph go with us - Let’s get our car fix
- We will have to get someone fixing the phone - Get your money exchange
Have: Avoid using an infinitive or an ing form instead of a verb word after a
person; avoid using a verb word or an infinitive instead of a participle after a
thing: - Tom had a tooth fill - They had their lawyer to change their wills
- Have you had your temperature taking yet? - Have him helped you
Let: Avoid using an infinitive or an ing form:
- Mr. Moore let us to write a paper instead of taking a final test
- I am letting this machine cooling
Help: Avoid ing form. You can use a verb word or an infinitive after a person:
- He is helping me typing my paper(you have two options)
- Her husband always helps her that she does the laundry.
9. Importance- Subjunctive Verbs
A subjunctive is a change in the usual form of the verb. The following verbs are used
before that and the verb word clause to express importance: ask, demand, desire, insist, prefer,
propose, recommend, request, require, suggest, and urge. Avoid using a present or past tense
verb instead of a verb word(base form). Avoid using a modal before the verb word. – Mr.
Johnson prefers that she speaks with him personally
- The doctor suggested that she should not smoke
- I propose that the vote is secret ballot - The foreign student advisor recommended that she
studied more English before enrolling at the university. – The law requires that everyone has
his car checked at least once a year. – She insisted that they would give her a receipt. – Less
moderate members of Congress are insisting that changes in the Social Security System are
made.
Many architects prefer that a dome is used to roof buildings that need to conserve floor space.
Note: The verb insist may be used in non-subjunctive patterns in the past tense. Ex: He insisted
that I was wrong.
10. Importance – nouns derived from subjunctive verbs
Remember that the following nouns are used in this pattern: demand, insistence, preference,
proposal, recommendation, request, requirement, suggestion:
Avoid using a present or past tense verb instead of a verb word(base form). Avoid using a
modal before the verb word: - He complied with the requirement that all graduate students in
education should write a thesis. – The committee refused the request that the prerequisite shall
be waived. – She ignored the suggestion that she gets more exercise.
-The terrorist’s demand that the airline provides a plane will not be met by the deadline.
-Despite their insistence that he will appear when there is an important event, the president
schedules press conferences with the news media at hid discretion.
11. Importance – Impersonal Expressions
Remember that the following adjectives are used in impersonal expressions: essential,
imperative, important, necessary. Avoid using a present tense verb instead of a verb word(base
form). Avoid using a modal before the verb word:
- It is imperative that you are on time(two options – infinitive or subjunctive - that)
- It is essential that all applications are filed no later than July 1(two options)
- It is necessary that your signature appears on your ID(two options)
12. Unfulfilled Desires in the Past – Had Hoped
Had hoped expresses a hope in the past that did not happen. Avoid using a verb word instead of
would and a verb word.
Correct Pattern: S + had hoped + that + S + would + verb word …..
Avoid using the incorrect pattern: S + had hoped + object pronoun + ing form ..
- We had hoped that she change her mind - We had hoped that he changed his mind
- We had hoped him staying longer - They had hoped that she not find out about it
- His father had hoped that he go into business with him
II. PRONOUNS
1. Subject pronouns in complement position. Remember that in complement position after
the verb be, a subject pronoun must be used.
- It was her whom everyone wanted to win.
- Is it them at the door again? - This is him speaking
- Didn’t you know that it was us who played the joke?
- I have to admit that it was me who wanted to go.
2. Object pronouns after prepositions. Personal pronouns used as the object of a preposition
should be object case pronouns: him, her, them, us, me , you, it
- The experiment proved to my lab partner and I that prejudices about the results of an
investigation are often unfounded.
- Of those who graduated with Betty and he, Ellen is the only one who has found a good job. –
Among we men, it was he who always acted as the interpreter.
- Just between you and I, this isn’t a very good price.
3. Possessive Pronouns before ing forms. Remember that possessive pronouns are used
before ing nouns: my, your, her, his, its, our, your, their. Avoid using subject or object pronouns
between the verb and the ing form.
Correct pattern: S + Verb phrase or Verb + possessive pronoun + ing form(noun) +…
- He regretted them misunderstanding him. – We can count on she helping us
- We don’t understand why you object to him coming with us
- I would appreciate you letting me know as soon as possible
- The doctor insisted on she taking a leave of absence
- He is surprised by you having to pay for the accident
- My father approves of me studying in the United States
4. Who and whom. Who is used as the subject of a sentence or a clause. Whom is used as
the complement of a sentence or a clause. Whom is often used after a preposition as the object
of the preposition. Avoid using who instead of whom before a subject and a verb: - He was the
only American who I saw at the conference
I asked him who he was calling - Did you meet the girl whom was chosen Prom Queen? There is often disagreement as to who is the better student, Bob or Ellen.
5. Reflexive pronouns. They may be used when both the subject and the complement refer
to the same person or thing. They are used as the complement of a sentence or a clause or as the
object of a preposition: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves,
themselves.
- The jaw structure of a snake permits it to eat and digest animals much larger than it.
- According to the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, no person should be compelled to
be a witness against him own.
6. Reciprocal Pronouns – each other. Each other may be used when the plural subject and
complement refer to the same persons or things, and they are performing a reciprocal(mutual)
act: - Family members love to each other - Jack and Sandra aren’t dating one to the other any
more.
III. NOUNS
1. Noncount Nouns - Avoid using the before a noncount noun. Avoid using a plural verb
with a noncount noun: - The happiness means different things to different people. – Bread are
expensive - The religion attempts to clarify mankind’s relationship with a superhuman power.
2. Avoid using a with a noncount noun instead of a singular count noun:
- California has a good weather(You can also say: California has a good climate)
- A laughter is the best medicine(You can say: A laugh is the best medicine)
- We are late because we got stuck in a traffic(or – We are late because we got stuck in a traffic
jam. – A machinery in the factory needs to be fixed(A machine in the factory needs to be
fixed) - A news was released about the hostages.
3. Nominal That Clause. Remember that sometimes the subject of a verb is a single noun.
Other times it is a long noun clause. Like all clauses, the nominal that clause has a subject and
verb. The nominal that clause functions as the main subject of the main verb which follows it: She will win is almost certain. – That is not fair seems obvious
- It is that we need to move is sure - That it is the moon influences only one kind of tide is not
generally known - That it is birds migrate long distances is well documented
IV. ADJECTIVES AND ADJECTIVE RELATED STRUCTURES.
1. Determiners – A and An. Avoid confusing vowel and consonant spellings with vowel
and consonant sounds. U is a vowel spelling, but it has the consonant sound Y in words
like use, universal, usual, etc. H is a consonant spelling that has a vowel sound in words
like hour and honor, but not in words like history and horror:
- It is a big decision to choose an university. – It is a honor to meet you
2. No Meaning Not Any. It may be used with a singular or plural count noun or with a
noncount noun. Avoid using the negatives not or none instead of no.
- There is not reason to worry(two options) - None news is good news - We have not a file
under the name Wagner(two options) - Bill told me that he has none friends(two options) 3. Few and Little. Few is used before plural count nouns and little is used before noncount
nouns. – John has very little friends - There is few time to waste
4. Much and Many. Many is used before plural count nouns and much is used before
noncount nouns. Avoid using a count noun instead of a noncount noun after much:
- Peter and Carol don’t have much children - He always has much problems with his teeth The letter was short because there wasn’t many news
5. A Little and Little / A Few and Few; There were two men. Each man had a cup of
happiness. One man said, “How sad! I have little happiness.” The other man said, “How
wonderful! I have a little happiness.” The difference between little and a little is the point of
view. Little or few means not a lot or not any. A little or a few means some:
- Give me little butter, please, so I can spread it on my bread - There are few tickets left for the
concert, but you had better hurry if you want to buy one
What is the difference here(both are grammatically correct): She speaks a little French.
She speaks little French.
6. Number and Amount. Avoid using number with noncount nouns and amount with count
nouns: - You will just need a small number of clothing - A large amount of students from other
countries attend State University – We do not have time for a large amount of interruptions The amount of books in the library is more than two million volumes - The lab has a large
number of equipment.
7. Nouns that Function as Adjectives. Remember that when two nouns occur together, the
first noun describes the second noun; that is, the first noun functions as an adjective. Adjectives
do not change form, singular or plural. Avoid using a plural form for the first noun even when
the second noun is plural. Avoid using a possessive form for the first noun: - I forgot their
telephone’s number - There is a sale at the shoes store - Automobile’s insurance is cheaper in
Colombia.
8. Hyphenated Adjectives. It is common for a number to appear as the first in a series of
hyphenated adjectives. Each word in a hyphenated adjective is an adjective and does not change
form, singular or plural: - A three-minutes call costs less than a dollar
- They have a four-months-old baby
9. Cause and result – So and Such. Avoid using as or too instead of so in clauses of cause.
Avoid using as instead of that in clauses of result: - He is so slow as he never gets to class on
time - This suitcase is as heavy that I can hardly carry it
Avoid using so instead of such before a. Avoid omitting a/an from the patterns:
- It was so interesting book that he couldn’t put it down.
- She is such nice girl that everyone likes her(two options – this one is also correct: She is so
nice a girl that everyone likes her) -We had so a small lunch(two options)
- It is so nice weather that I would like to go to the beach(only one option)
10. Adjectives with verbs of the Senses. Remember that an adjective, not an adverb, is used
after verbs of the senses: feel, look, smell, sound, taste: - The wild flowers smell so sweetly The meal tasted well - I feel very badly
V. PROBLEMS WITH COMPARATIVES
1. THE SAME AS / THE SAME. Avoid using to and like instead of as:
- That car is almost the same like mine.(Another option: That car and mine are almost the
same) – Is your book the same to mine?(two options)
2. Like and alike. Like is used between the two nouns compared, and alike is used after the
two nouns or a plural noun. Avoid using as instead of like. Avoid using like after the two nouns
compared: - The weather feels as spring. – These suits are like
3. As + quality adjective + as. Avoid using to, than, or like instead of as. Avoid using er/more
- Mary’s job is as hard than Bill’s. – Juan is as taller as José.
4. Comparative estimates – Multiple numbers: half, twice, three times, four times… Avoid
using so instead of as after a multiple. Avoid using more than instead of as much as or as many
as. The correct pattern is: … multiple + as + much or many + as + … – This one is prettier, but
it costs twice more than the other. – The price was very reasonable; I would have gladly paid
three times more than he asked.
5. Comparative Adverbs. Remember that adverbs also have a comparative form to compare
two verb actions and a superlative form to compare three or more verb actions. Avoid using er
with adverbs. -Many chemicals react quicklier in acid solutions. – We finished the test more
rapid than Mark. – We finished the test the most rapid of all.
6. Double Comparatives. Avoid using as instead of the. Avoid omitting the. Avoid omitting er
from the adjective. Avoid using the incorrect form - lesser: - The more you study, the lesser you
fail. – The faster we finish, the soon we can leave.
7. Illogical Comparatives. Remember that comparisons must be made with logically
comparable nouns. You can’t compare the climate in the North with the South. You must
compare the climate in the North with the climate in the South. Remember: that of and those
of(sometimes use those at if you are talking about location) are used instead of repeating a noun
to express a logical comparative: - The classes at my university are very different from State
University. – The English that is spoken in Canada is similar to the United States. – Drugstores
here are not like at home. – The time in New York City differs three hours from Los Angeles.
- Her qualifications are better than any other candidate.
VI. PROBLEMS WITH PREPOSITIONS
1. Between and Among. Between – used with two nouns / among – used with three or more
nouns or a plural noun. – Rick and his wife can usually solve their problems among them. – The
choice is between a hot dog, a piece of pizza, and an ice cream cone.
2. In, On, At(place): In Country, State, Province, County, City, a park, a car, a building, a
room, etc. On Street, Street Corner, Coast, River, a ship, a train, a plane. At Number(used
before numbers in addresses).
- Cliff lives on Yellowsone National Park. Is Domino’s Pizza in Tenth Street? – The apartments
at the Hudson River are really expensive. – We are going to stay on Chicago. – Let’s take our
vacation in the coast instead of in the mountains. I live on 2600 River Road.
3. Time – in, on, at: In Year, Month. On Day, Date. At Time. Careful with idiomatic phrases
such as in the morning, at night, at noon, in the evening, etc. – I would rather take classes on
the afternoon. The graduation is in May 20. We came to Colombia on 1969.
4. Besides / Beside. Remember that besides means in addition to. Beside means near. – Beside
Marge, three couples are invited. – Beside Domino’s, four other pizza places deliver.
5. Exception – but and except. Remember that when it is used as a preposition, but means
except. – All of the students but the seniors will receive their grades.(this sentence is correct!!!
You can also say: All of the students except the seniors will…).
6. Despite and In Spite of. Avoid using of with despite: - Despite of the light rain, the baseball
game was not canceled.
7. Because of / Because: Because of introduces a noun or a noun phrase. Because introduces a
clause with a subject and a verb. She was absent because of her cold was worse.(two options) –
They decided to stay at home because the weather.
VII. PROBLEMS WITH CONJUNCTIONS
Conjunctions are words or phrases that clarify relationships between clauses. They join
together.
1. Correlative Conjunctions – Inclusives both…and. They are used together to include two
parallel structures(two nouns, adjectives, adverbs). Avoid using as well as instead of and with
both. Avoid using both…and for more than two parallel structures. – She speaks both English as
well as Spanish at home. – The party will celebrate both our finishing the term as well your
getting a new job.
2. Inclusives both…and as well as. They must be used in sequence to include two or three
parallel structures. - Both Mary, Ellen, and Jean are going on the tour.
3. Inclusives not only…but also. – The program provides only not theoretical classes but also
training. – The objective is not to identify the problem but also to solve it. – John took not only
swimming also golf.
4. Exclusives not…but. They are used together to exclude the structure that follows not and
include the structure that follows but: Example: The largest university is not Minnesota but
Ohio State.(This is correct!). – It is not the money only the principle that makes me angry. –
According to the police, she died not of injuries sustained in the accident, only of a heart attack.
5. Neither / Either. – She hasn’t finished the assignment yet, and neither I have. – He didn’t
neither. He won’t be here today, and either his sister will. (two options).
6. Indirect Questions. Avoid using do, does, did after the question word. Avoid using the verb
before the subject after the question word. – I didn’t understand what did he say. – Do you
know how much do they cost?
VIII. PROBLEMS WITH AGREEMENT. You have seen this all of your life, so just remember
to identify the subject and the verb and make sure they agree or correspond!!!