Sentences --- Verbs

In some sentences in the Structure Section on the Paper-Based TOEFL, you will be asked
to identify the correct verb. In fact, most of the sentences in the Structure Section are verb
problems. A Verb is a word or phrase that expresses action or condition. A verb can be classified
as transitive or intransitive according to whether it requires a complement; it can be classified
further according to the kind of complement it requires, including not only nouns, pronouns,
adjectives, and adverbs, but also –ing forms or infinitives.
Choose the correct answer in the incomplete sentences. Choose the incorrect word or phrase in
the underlined choices.
1. Almost everyone fails __________ the driver’s test on the first try.
A. passing C. to pass
B. to have passed D. in passing
2. Only twenty years ago, most doctors agreed __________ truthful with their terminally ill
patients, a trend that has reversed itself in modern medical practice.
A. don’t to be C. we shouldn’t been
B. not to be D. not to been
3. If a person does not have an attorney, the court ___________ one.
A. will appoint C. would appoint
B. appointed D. appointing
4. Since lightning was probably significant in the formation of life, understanding it might
help us to understanding life itself. A
B C D
5. Iowa __________ of flat-topped hills erected by the ancient Mount Builder people as
temples and burial sites.
A. with a larger number C. having a large number
B. has a large number D. a large number
6. When the silkworm gets through to lay its eggs, it dies.
A B C D
7. If gasoline vapor ___________ with air, combustion will occur.
A. mixed C. mixes
B. had mixed D. mixture
8. The Girl Scouts, which was found by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912, has grown to a
A B C
current membership of more than three million girls.
D
9. Air constricted between the vocal cords makes them ___________ producing sounds.
A. to vibrate C. vibrate
B. vibrating D. the vibration
10. William Torrey Harris was one of the first educators interested ________ a logical
progression of topics in the school curriculum.
A. in establishing C. establishing
B. for establishing D. to establish
 Sentences --- Auxiliary Verbs
An auxiliary verb is a verb that accompanies the main verb and makes distinctions in the
meaning of the main verb. Some examples of auxiliary verbs are BE, HAVE, or a Modal
auxiliary.

1. It is generally believed that Thomas Jefferson was the one who had researched and
A
wrote the Declaration of Independence during the months prior to its signing in
B C
July 1776 .
D
2. On the average, a healthy heart _________ to pump five tablespoons of blood with every
beat.
A. must B. ought C. Can D. should

3. The cones of pine trees __________ two or three years to reach maturity.
A. to take B. taking C. may take D. takes

4. There is (A) no limit to the diversity to be (B) finding in the (C) cultures of (D) people
throughout the world.

5. Although the scientific community had hoped that the field of transplantation
__________, the shortage of organ donors has curtailed research.
A. progress C. would progress
B. had progressed D. progressing

6. Even without strong wings, the ostrich has survived because it ___________ at high
speeds to escape predators.
A. to run B. can run C. running D. run

7. Civil engineers had better ___________ steel supports in concrete structures built on
unstable geophysical sites.
A. include B. including C. inclusion D. included

8. Adult eagles let their offspring _________ nests near their original nesting area.
A. build B. builds C. building D. to build

9. (A) A barometer is a device with a (B) sealed metal chamber designed (C) to reading the
changes in the pressure of (D)air in the atmosphere.

10. Although (A) some higher structures (B) have been build in New York City, none (C)
characterizes the skyline (D) better than the Empire State Building.
 Sentences ---- Nouns
A Noun is a word that names persons, objects, and ideas. There are two basic
classifications of nouns in English: cont nouns and noncount nouns. Count nouns are those that
can be made plural. Noncount nouns are those that cannot be made plural in these ways.

1. (A) The understanding (B)electricity (C) depends on a knowledge of atoms and the
subatomic particles of which they (D) are composed .

2. The two main _______ are permanent magnets and electromagnets.

A. kinds of magnets C. kind magnets
B. kind of magnets D. kinds magnets

3. Doctors have concluded that in addition to regular exercise, a diet rich in __________ is
good for the heart.
A. fruits and vegetable C. the fruits and vegetables
B. a fruit and vegetable D. fruit and vegetables

4. (A) The stories of Dr. Seuss (B) have been enjoyed (C) by millions of (D) childrens.

5. New (A) equipments for medical diagnosis (B) have made many (C) formerly
unpleasant (D) procedures quite painless.

6. ________ designs on a wall, also called graffiti, has become associated with gang activity
in many neighborhoods.
A. Spraying of C. Spray the
B. The praying of D. Sprays

7. Termites can do _________ to the wood in homes before they are detected.
A. an extensive damage C. the extensive damage
B. extensive damages D. extensive damage
8. In the fall, most trees lose _________ , which have, by then, turned from green to gold
and orange.
A. their leaf C. the leaf
B. their leaves D. the lefs

9. ____________ can live to be more than fifteen years old.

A. That it is dogs C. Dogs that
B. That dogs D. Dogs

10. One of the (A) most distinctive (B) plant (C) found in the desert is (D) the Saguaro
cactus.
EXPLANATION
“Succeeding at learning a language is not about making progress in one day or in a week. It is
about the little things that you do every day. It is the tiny decisions that you make over and over
again that will lead you to success in the long term”.
Day One
Explanations and Examples --- A) Sentences – Verbs
A verb is a word or phrase that expresses action or condition. It can be classified as
transitive or intransitive according to whether it requires a complement (an object); including not
only nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs, but also –ing forms and infinitives.
1) Verbs that require an Infinitive in the complement :
agree – appear – arrange – ask – claim – decide – demand – deserve – fail – forget - hesitate –
hope – intend – learn – manage – mean – need – offer – plan – prepare – pretend – promise –
refuse – seem - tend – threaten – wait – want
We had planned to leave the day before yesterday
He wanted to speak with Mr. Brown
The weather tends to improve in May
I intend to inform you about our new project
They didn’t plan to buy a car

2) Conditional Sentences
 Conditional sentences usually contain the word “IF” and modal auxiliaries will, would,
can, could, may or might. There are 3 types of conditional sentences: Type I... the real
(factual & habitual); Type II ... the unreal (contrary to fact in Present); and Type III....
Past Unreal condition.

 Type I: Factual condition – Scientific result

 Absolute conditionals express scientific facts. Will and a verb word (Verb 1) expresses
the opinion that the result is absolutely certain.
Example: 1) If a catalyst is used, the reaction occurs more rapidly. OR
2)If a catalyst is used, the reaction will occur more rapidly.
3) If water freezes, it becomes solid. OR If water freezes, it will become solid.
4) If light strikes a rough surface, it diffuses ( will diffuse).
5) If children are healthy, they learn (will learn) to walk at about 18 months old.

 Factual condition – Probable result for the future

Using “will, can, may, must”,etc (modal auxiliary) and verb word (Verb 1) express the opinion
that the results are certain or more probable.
E.g.- If we find her address, we will(can, may, must) write her. OR
We will (can, may, must) write her if we find her address.
- If my headache disappears, we can (will, may) play tennis.
- If they have a good sale, I will (can) stop by on my way home.
- If you listen to the questions carefully, you will (can) answer them easily.
- If I have enough money, I will (can) buy a car.
- Jimmy usually walks to campus, if he has enough time.
Type II: The Unreal ( contrary to fact in Present)
- If I had time, I would go with you to the beach this weekend. (= I don’t have time... I am not
going with you to the beach)
- If we found her address, we would write her. (=we don’t find her address; we don’t write..)
- If he didn’t speak so quickly, you could understand him. (=he speaks so quickly; you can’t
understand him)
- He would tell you about that matter if he were there. (=he won’t tell you ; he’s not there)
- What would you do if you were the president of Indonesia ?
- The apartment would be perfect if it were a little bigger. (= the apartment is not bigger)

Type III: Past Unreal condition

- If we had found her address, we would have written her. (= we didn’t find her address; we
didn’t write her)
- If we had had the money, we would have bought a new stereo system.
- If we hadn’t lost our way, we would have arrived sooner. ( we lost our way; we didn’t arrive
sooner)
- If she had seen the movie, she would have told you.

3) Purpose – Infinitives
An infinitive can express purpose. It is a short form of “in order to”.
e.g. She takes vitamin to feel better. (She takes vitamin in order to feel better).
- David has studied hard to succeed. (in order to succeed)
- Wear several layers of clothing to keep warm. (in order to keep warm)
- Shella always jogs in the morning to stay fit. (in order to stay fit)
4) Subject – Verb Agreement
In all patterns, there must be agreement of subject and verb.
E.g. This book has been a best seller for a year.
- Book clubs are very popular social activities.
- The popularity of book clubs (seem/seems) to be increasing throughout the world.
- People who usually (follow/follows) current events (is/are) also likely to read books.

5) Verb Phrases that require an –ing form in the Complement

approve of – be better of – can’t help – count on – do not mind – forget about – get through –
insist on – keep on – look forward to – object to – think about – think of
E.g. – She forgot about canceling her appointment.
- Let’s go the movie when you get through studying.
- We can’t help wondering why she left so early.
- I have been looking forward to meeting you.
- We wouldn’t mind waiting, go ahead.

6) Passive – Word order

The Form : Subject + auxiliary verb + Verb 3 (Past participle).
In the passive sentence, sometimes the doer (actor) is unknown or not important. It is usually
common in scientific writing.
E.g. – My wedding ring is made of yellow and white gold.
- Mr. Wilson is known as Willie to his friends.
- This house was built by my grandfather.
- Cheese are made from milk. – Many accidents are caused by dangerous driving.

7) Causative Verbs: Make – Get – Have – Let – Help

Causatives are main verbs that causes people or machines to do things or cause things to change.
In a causative, a person does not perform an action directly. The person causes it to happen by
forcing another person to do it.
Causative MAKE
The Form: 1) Subject + MAKE + someone + verb word
 His mother made him take his medicine
Prof. Rogers didn’t make us type our lab report.
The robber made the teller give him the money.
2) Subject + MAKE + something + verb word
- I can’t seem to make the dishwasher run.
Too much water makes plants turn brown on the edges of their leaves.
Causative GET
The Form : Subject + GET + someone + to infinitive
Let’s get Ralph to go with us.
- We will have to get someone to fix the phone right away.
- Do you think that we can get Karen to take us to San Diego ?
- Mary got John to wash the car. (= John washed the car)- Active sentence
 Subject + GET + something + verb 3
Let’s get our car fixed first.
I want to get the house painted before Christmas
Let’s get some of our money exchanged for dollars.
- Mary got the car washed.
Causative HAVE
The Form: a) Subject + HAVE + someone + Verb 1
e.g. My English teacher had us give oral reports.
They had their lawyer change their will.
I like the way you had the beautician do your hair.
John is having his father contact the officials.
b) Subject + HAVE + something + Verb 3
I want to have this book renewed.
Have you had your temperature taken yet ?
Anna had her paper typed by her friend
Causative LET
The Form : Subject + LET + someone/ something + Verb 1
e.g. His mother let him go to school
Paul let her daughter swim with her friends.
The teacher let the students leave the class early.
 Would you let us borrow your notes ?
I am letting the machine cool.
Don’t let that bother you.
Causative HELP
The Form : Subject + HELP + someone + Verb 1 / infinitive
He is helping me type / to type my paper.
Don’t you help each other study/to study for tests ?
This book should help you understand/to understand the lecture.

B) Sentences – Auxiliary Verbs

An auxiliary verb is a verb that accompanies the main verb and makes distinctions in the
meaning of the main verb. Examples of Auxiliary Verbs:
To BE : Am/Is/Are (for Present) and Was/Were (Past)
To HAVE : Have / Has  Present ; Had  Past
To DO : Do / Does  Present ; Did  Past ; Modal auxiliary : can/ may / could/ must, etc..
1) Past Perfect Tense
The Form : Subject + had + Verb 3
e.g. – When James arrived at the party, Sarah had already gone home.
- When we got home last night, somebody had broken into our house.
- Mary didn’t want to go to the cinema because she had already seen that film.

2) Modal Auxiliary
Can – could – can’t – couldn’t – may – might – must – will – would – should – have to (has to)
– ought to
E.g. We can see the lake from our bedroom window. (= something is possible)
Can you speak any foreign languages ? (= has the ability do do something)
When we went into the house, we could smell something burning. (past form of ‘can’)
Jack played well but he couldn’t beat Tom.
Where’s Bob? He may be in his office. (= perhaps he’s in his office)
He might be having lunch.(=perhaps he’s having lunch)
Ask Ann. She might know (She may know). (= perhaps she knows) Use may or might
possibility.
e.g. It may be true or It might be true. (=perhaps it’s true)
My house is very near the railway station. “It must be very noisy”.
You’ve been travelling all day. You must be tired.
Don’t tell anybody what I said. You must keep it a secret.(=necessary to do it)
You look tired. You should go to bed. (=to five advice)
Do you think I should apply for this job? Yes, I think you should.
 Should is stronger than ‘must’
You should apologize. (= it would be a good thing to do)
You must apologize. (=you have no alternative)
She’s been studying hard for the exam, so she should pass. (=expect her to pass)
My check should arrive tomorrow. (= expect it to arrive tomorrow)
Bill should study tonight = Bill ought to study tonight =Bill is supposed to study tonight.
- Do you think I ought to apply for this job? (= Do you think I should apply....)
- She’s been studying hard for the exam, so she ought to pass. (=she should pass)
It would be nice to have a holiday but we can’t afford it. (imagine situation)
I didn’t go to bed. I wasn’t tired, so I wouldn’t have slept.
I wish you would do something instead of just sitting and doing nothing.
“Would you like something to drink?” Yes, I’d like an orange juice, please. (an offer)

 “Must” is personal .... when we give personal feelings.

E.g. She’s a really nice person. You must meet her. (this is necessary)
I haven’t phone Amy for ages. I must phone her tonight.
 “Have to / has to” is impersonal... use for facts, not for personal feelings.
You can’t turn right here. You have to turn left. (because of traffic system)
George can’t come out with us this evening. He has to work. (it’s a fact)

2) Passive – Infinitives
Passive Infinitive can be used with a present form of BE to express a future intention; and the
past form of BE  an intention that wasn’t realized in the past.
e.g. – The project is to be completed by 2020.
- The finalists are to be named at the next meeting.
- The game is to be rescheduled.
- The results of the exams are to be announced tomorrow.
- The play was to be canceled, but it was only postponed.
- We were to be notified if there was a problem.

3) Had Hoped – Unfulfilled hope in the past

Had hoped expresses a hope in the past that did not happen.
The Form: S + had hoped + that + S + would + Verb 1
e.g. We had hoped that she would change her mind.
- I had hoped that she would come to the party.
- We had hoped that he would stay longer.

4) Had Better – Advisability

Had better is similar to a modal. It expresses advice for the future.
E.g. You had better take writing class this semester.
You had better not take writing class this semester.
You had better hurry if you don’t want to miss the bus.
We had better check the schedule.
You had better not go alone at night.

5) Passive – Perfect Tense

- The room looks nice. Somebody has cleaned it. .... Present Prefect - Active
The room looks nice. It has been cleaned. ..... Passive
- Have you heard the news ? The president has been shot.... Present perfect Passive
- Are you going to the party? No, I haven’t been invited.
 The room looked nice. Somebody had cleaned it..... Past perfect - Active
The room looked nice. It had been cleaned. ....Past Perfect – Passive

C) Sentences --- Nouns

A Noun is a word that names persons, objects, and ideas.
Two classifications: Count and noncount nouns or Countable & uncountable nouns.
 1) Infinitive and – ing Subject
Either an infinitive or an –ing form may be used as the subject of a sentence. An –ing form
used as a subject is called Gerund.
E.g. – To read a foreign language is even more difficult. (infinitive)
- Reading quickly and well requires more practice. (-ing form)  Gerund
- To work (working) provides people with personal satisfaction as well as money.
- To shoplift (shoplifting) is considered a serious crime.
- To exercise (exercising) makes most people feel better.
When a Prepositional phrase qualifies the noun, that is add specific information, the may be
used with an –ing noun subject.
e.g. The reading of technical material requires knowledge of technical terms.
The winning of prizes is not as important as playing well.
- The sending of electronic mail (E-mail) is now common.
- The singing of Christmas carols is an old tradition.

2) Kind and Type  Classifications

e.g. - Cable TV has many different kinds of shows.
- Prof. Parker gives several types of homework.
- We saw several kinds of birds at the wildlife preserve.
- One kind of show is news.
- One type of homework is a lab report.
- Are you looking at a special kind of car ?

3) Countable and Uncountable nouns

 Countable nouns have both singular & plural forms. e.g. student(s), car(s), room(s),
bag(s), etc.
e.g. We have fifty dollars left. / He has one dollar left.
- The temperature has risen ten degrees in two hours.
- There are too many advertisements during TV shows.
 Uncountable nouns have only one form which is singular.
E.g. bread, meat, butter (food staples); oil, tea, coffee, milk (liquid that can change shape);
rice, sand, sugar, salt (substances with many small parts); clothing (a dress, a coat, a shirt),
furniture(a table, a chair, a bed), luggage (a suitcase, a box)...(group of things that have
different sizes and shapes); British, Japanese, Spanish (languages); beauty, peace, happiness
(abstract concepts)..etc
e.g. Happiness means different things to different people.
- If you open the door, air will circulate better.
- Magda speaks Chinese with her daughter at home.
- Bread is expensive in the grocery store on the corner.
 Noncount Nouns that are count nouns in other languages.
Many nouns which are count nouns in other languages may be noncount nouns in English.
They are: advice – anger – courage – damage – equipment – homework – information –
knowledge – luck – money – music – news – patience – peace – permission – poverty – fun –
leisure – ignorance
e.g. – Do you have information about it ?
- News was released about hostages.
- Did you get permission to take the placement test?
 Singular and Plural Expressions of Noncount nouns
Singular: a piece of (advice, bread, equipment, furniture, information); a loaf of bread; a
slice of bread; a bar of soap; an ear of corn; a clap of thunder; a gust of wind.
Plural : two pieces of (advice, bread, equipment, furniture, information); two loaves of
bread; two slices of bread; two bars of soap; two ears of corn; two claps of thunder; two
gusts of wind.
E.g. – A piece of mail travels faster when the zip code is indicated on the envelope.
- Each piece of furniture in this display is on sale for half price.
- There is a limit of two pieces of carry-on luggage for each passenger.
 Different forms of plural nouns
Child – children; man – men; woman – women; foot – feet; tooth – teeth; goose – geese;
mouse – mice; louse – lice; ox – oxen;
Some nouns are Plural in forms but Singular in meaning:
Academic subjects: mathematics, physics, economics, statistics, civics
Diseases : measles, mumps, herpes
Abstract nouns: news, ethics, politics
Words borrowed from other languages:
Greek: Singular: basis, crisis, criterion, phenomenon
Plural: bases, crises, criteria, phenomena
Latin: (S) – radius – alumnus – alga – vita – datum – medium – index – appendix
(P): radii – alumni – algae – vitae – data – media – indices – appendices
e.g. The algae in the pool are hard to remove./ The alga in the pool is hard to move.
The radius of the circle is 2 inches.
Alumni of the university are invited to graduation ceremony.

 Plural forms with changes in spelling

- One leaf  2 leaves; 1 knife  2 knives; 1 shelf  2 shelves; 1 wife  2 wives