grammar 3

Contents
Unit

Topic

1
2
5
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

conditionals
nouns, adjectives, adverbs, articles and comparatives

Page
2

determiners and pronouns
passive and active voices
tenses
-ing and the infinitive
subject-verb agreement and subjunctive mood
prepositions and sentence structure
relative clauses
modals

15
19

confusing words and differences between English
and American

49

23
30
34
39
46
48


TOEIC GRAMMAR

Unit 1 Conditionals
Point 1 form and overview
Type 0
General
truth

Type 1
Real
present

Type 2

Unreal
present

Type 3
Unreal
past

If-clause
Main clause (result)
Use
(hypothesis)
If + present simple Present simple
If the temperature falls below 0 C, water turns into ice.
future/ imperative
If + present
can/may/might/must/s
real – likely
simple, present
hould/
to happen in
perfect or can
could/have to + bare
the present
infinitive
or future
If he doesn’t pay the fine, he will go to prison.
If you need help, come and see me.
If you have finished your work, we can have a break.
If you’re ever in the area, you should come and visit us.
imaginary

If + past simple
would/could/should +
situation
(were)
bare infinitive
contrary to
facts in the
present; also
used to give
advice
If I had time, I would take up a sport.
(but I don’t have time – untrue in the present)
If I were you, I would talk to my parents about it. (giving advice)
imaginary
If + past perfect
would/should/could +
situation
(had +PII)
have + PII
contrary to
facts in the
past; also
used to
express
regrets or
criticism
If she had studied harder, she would have passed the test.

Note:
+) Conditional clauses consist of two parts: the if-clause (hypothesis) and the main clause

(result). When the if-clause comesbefore the main clause, the two clauses are seperated
with a comma. When the main clause comes before the if-clause, then no comma is
necessary.
Example: If I see Tim, I’ll give him his book.
I’ll give Tim his book if I see him.

+) We do not normally use will, would or should in an if-clause. However, we can use will or
would after if to make a polite request or express insistence or uncertainty (usually with
expressions such as I don’t know, I doubt, I wonder, etc.). We can use should after if to talk
about something which is possible, but not very likely to happen.
Example: If the weather is fine tomorrow, we will go camping.
(NOT if the weather will be fine ...)
If you will fill in this form, I’ll process your application.
(Will you please fill in ... – polite request)
If you will not stop shouting, you’ll have to leave.

2


TOEIC GRAMMAR

(If you insist on shouting ... – insistence)
I don’t know if he will pass his exams. (uncertainty)
If Tom should call, tell him I’ll be late.
(We don not think that Tom is very likely to call.)
+) We can use were instead of was for all persons in the if –clause of Type 2 conditionals.
If he were here, we could have a party.
+) We can omit if in the if-clause. When if is omitted, should (type 1), were (type 2),
had (type
3) and the subject are inverted.

Example: Should Peter come, tell him to wait. (= should Peter should come, ...)
Were I you, I wouldn’t trust him. (= If I were you, ...)
Had he known, he would have called. (= if he had known, ...)
+) Mixed conditionals
If - clause
Type 2
If nobody paid the bill,
Type 2
If he had money,
Type 3
If he had won the lottery,

Point 2

Main clause
Type 1
the electricity will be cut off.
Type 3
he would have bought her a
gift.
Type 2
He wouldn’t be asking for
money.

Other ways of making conditionals

+) or/ or else/ otherwise is another way of say if not
You have to complete the project on schedule, or/ or else/ otherwise you will be fired.
+) Even if can also be used in conditional sentences to emphasize if.
Even if you begged him to take the money, he wouldn’t accept.

+) If only can be used as a way of emphasizing if. In addition, the if only clause can also
express a wish.
If only you had told me, I could have helped you.
If only we had enough money to go on vacation. (but we don’t have enough money)
+) provided/ providing (that), as long as, on condition (that) these are more emphatic
ways
of saying if
You can go to the party if you are home before 12.00.
You can go to the party provided you are home before 12.00.
You can go home as long as you are home before 12.00.
+) supposing/ suppose/ imagine these ways of expressing conditions without if.
Supposing/ suppose/ imagine you were president, how would you change the country?
+) Unless this is an emphatic way of saying if ... not in the if – clause of type1 conditionals.

3


TOEIC GRAMMAR

Unless you leave now, you will miss the bus.
(= if you don’t leave now, ...)
(NOT: unless you don’t leave now, ...)
+) If (it) were / was not for / hadn’t been for ...
This describes how one event depends on another
If it were not for Helen, our team would be the worst in the area!
(If Helen weren’t a really good player ...)
If it hadn’t been for Jim, the child would have drowned.
(If Jim hadn’t jumped in to recue the child ...)

Note: in some situations, we cannot use one of these mentioned above to replace “if” becau

it may affect the meaning of the sentence, so be careful!
Example: Lateness inevitably causes errors, which in turn means that we are all held up going
home at the end of the day. -------the problem continues, we will consider
introducing penalties to deal with offenders. Please make sure all staff are aware
of this. (p. 247, practice test 6, TARGET TOEIC second edition)
A. When

B. Provided

C. If

D. Considering

In the sentence above, in terms of grammar we can use A, B, C or D. However, in terms of
semantics choice C is the best answer

4


TOEIC GRAMMAR

Unit 2

Nouns, adjectives, adverbs, articles and comparatives

Point 1 Countable and uncountable nouns
A. Countable nouns
When a countable noun is singular, it is used with an indefinite article a/an; when a
countable noun is plural, it ends in –(e)s.
Example: To request extra credit card for other members of your household, call our

automated service line. (not correct)
 A countable noun must be used with an indefinite article a/an in the singular form;
otherwise it should end in –(e)s in the plural form. (card  cards)
The electronics company has recruited staff from several of its competitor. (not correct)
 A plural noun must be used after such determiners as several, some, many, etc.
(competitor  competitors)
B. Uncountable nouns
Uncountable nouns refer to substances, concepts etc that we cannot divide into separate
elements. An indefinite article a/an cannot be used with an uncountable noun. Besides, an
uncountable noun in the subject position must be used with a singular verb.
+) Uncountable nouns are singular in form.
Example: The equipment you ordered are scheduled to be delivered on August 26. (not correct)
 Because equipment is uncountable, it is singular and is used with a singular verb.
(are  is)
+) Uncountable nouns cannot be used with an indefinite article a/an.
Example: They helped needy people by the provision of a clothing, food, and shelter. (not correct)
 Uncountable nouns cannot be used with an indefinite article a/an.
(a clothing  clothing)
+) Uncountable nouns that frequently occur in the TOEIC test
advertising
equipment
information
pollution
traffic

Point 2

advice
furniture
machinery

recreation
luggage/baggage

clothing
homework
money
scenery
employment

knowledge
merchandise
stationery
fun
leisure

Noun + noun = compound noun

5


TOEIC GRAMMAR

A compound noun is made up of two or more nouns. In this combination, the first noun is
used as an adjective, and therefore is almost always singular in form. However, there are a
few exceptions in which a compound noun is formed with “noun-s + noun” (savings account).
The plural form of a compound noun is created simply by adding –(e)s to the second noun
(savings accounts). Memorize the following compound nouns as they frequently occur in the
TOEIC test.
A. Noun + noun
advertising company

application form
assembly line
baggage allowance
company policy
consumer loan
dress-code regulation
evaluation form
face value
gender discrimination
information desk
membership fee
performance appraisal
product recognition
profit margin
safety precautions
staff production
delivery company
board meeting
interest rate
staff meeting
health care
flight attendant

apartment complex
application fee
attendance record
communication skill
construction site
customer satisfaction
employee participation

expiration date
consumer spending
hotel reservation
job performance
office furniture
product schedule
promissory note
service desk
stationery store
work schedule
recognition day
checking account (=current account)
company employee
travel agency
customer service
product availability

B. Noun-s + noun
awards ceremony
customs official
earnings growth
benefits package
overseas trip
sales department
sales manager
sales slip

Point 3

communications satellite

customs regulations
economics professor/ student
public relations office / department
savings account
sports complex
customs officer
sales target

Both countable and uncountable

Many nouns can be used as countable and uncountable nouns, usually with a difference in
meaning:

6


TOEIC GRAMMAR

Uncountable
paper (material)
business all business transactions)
space (the universe)
work(employment)
time (hours, days, etc)

a
a
a
a
a

Countable
(news) paper
business (a company)
space (a blank)
work ( of art)
time (an occasion)

Example: They have some work to do on business.
If the global economy continues to flourish, people will continue buying works of art.
Point 4

Note the singular and plural forms of the following nouns.
Singular

-f(e): half, life, self …
child
foot, tooth
mouse
alumnus, syllabus …
analysis, crisis …
criterion, phenomenon
man, woman

Plural
-ves: halves, lives, selves …
children
feet, Teeth
mice
alumni, syllabi …

analyses, crises …
criteria, phenomena
men, women

always singular
news
the United States of America,
nouns in –ics: athletics,
mathematics …

…

always plural
belongings, clothes, contents,
earnings, goods, people,
customs, outskirts …
one thing, two parts: pants, shorts, jeans,
glasses …
Same as singular
means, series, species, crossroads, headquarters, fish, sheep, data, aircraft

Example: The news is disturbing.
This is a means to an end.
Point 5

hundred, thousand, etc

When dozen, hundred, thousand, million and billion are used to convey the idea of:
+) a definite number, the pattern is:
number/several + hundred, thousand, million … + plural noun

twenty thousand dollars
Economists were alarmed by the deficit, which was several billion worse than they
had expected.
+) an indefinite number, the pattern is:
hundreds, thousands, millions … + of + plural noun
I’ve told you hundreds of times.
Point 6

Indefinite article a / an vs. Definite article the

Indefinite article+)
a/an
+)
+)

use before an unspecific object to mean one of a number of the
same objects
used before a singular countable noun
a is used before a noun that begins with a consonant sound; an
before a noun that begins with a vowel sound

7


TOEIC GRAMMAR

But: a unaminous decision
a European country
a uniform
a UFO is an Unidentified Flying Object

half an hour
an honest man
An MBA is a Master in Business Administration
Definite article +) used before a specific object; something that both the person
the
speaking and the listener know, or something that is modified
+) used as part of the superlative form (the + superlative)
+) used before a cardinal number (the + cardinal number (first,
Second, third ...))
+) some of / most of / all of / many of / half of / several of + the + noun
Example: I opened an account with the bank today.
Several of the world’s finest runners have entered the race.
+) Zero article
No article is used before academic subjects, means of transportation, or means of communication.
Academic subjects in an economics (not correct)  in economics
in an accounting (not correct)  in accounting
Means of
by a car (not correct)  by car (but in a car)
transportation
by a plane (not correct)  by plane (but on the plane)
Means of
by a fax (not correct)  by fax
communication
by the phne (not correct)  by phone (but over the phone,
on the phone)
Example: I want to major in economics at the university.
Such heavy items are expensive to transport by plane.
This is the woman I talked about over the phone.
Point 7

forms of address and Abbreviations

Mr Smith
Mrs Smith
Miss Smith
Ms Smith

a man
a married
an unmarried woman
a married or unmarried woman

These forms of address have to be followed by a family name.

Abbreviation
ASAP
RSVP
Attn
p.p.
i.e.
p.a.
e.g.
PTO
AM

Expression/ word in full
as soon as possible
repondez SVP
to the attention of
per proxy; per pro. (on behalf

id est (that is)
per annum
exempli gratia (for example)
please turn over
ante meridiem

Abbreviation
VAT
Bros
Co
of)
Corp
Inc
Ltd
PLC
ATM
CEO

Expression/ word in full
Value Addded Tax
Brothers
Company
Corporation
Incorporated
Limited
Public Limited Company
Automatic Teller Machine
Chief Executive Officer

8

TOEIC GRAMMAR

PM
# or No
POB
@
misc
lb or lbs
oz
GMT
Id
mph
NB

post meridiem
number
post office box
at
miscellaneous
pound(s)
ounce(s)
Green Mean Time
the same
miles per hour
nota bene (take note)

IT
MBA

R&D
PR
HR
PC
CFO

Information Technology
Master of Business Administration
Research and Development
Public Relations
Human Resources
Personal Computer
Chief Financial Officer

Point 8
Pay attention to the use of articles in the following expressions.
A. Expressions with the
in a way of (not correct)
in a distance (not correct)
on a contrary (not correct)
on a whole (not correct)






in the way
in the distance
on the contray

on the whole (= in general)

Example: My opinion is on the whole the same as yours.

B. Expressions with zero article
for the safekeeping (not correct)
in a haste (not correct)
in an error (not correct)
in a detail (not correct)
in the order to (not correct)
until the further notice (not correct)
take the advantage of (not correct)
take a care of (not correct)










for safekeeping
in haste
in error
in detail
in order to
until further notice
take advantage of

take care of

Example: I got out of the train in haste.

C. Expressions always used with articles
as result of (not correct)
as symbol of (not correct)
as whole (not correct)
at distance (not correct)
come to end (not correct)
all of sudden (not correct)
in effort to (not correct)
in attempt to (not correct)
in hurry (not correct)
in middle of (not correct)
in potential (not correct)













as a result of

as a symbol of
as a whole
at a distance
come to an end
all of a sudden
in an effort to
in an attempt to
in a hurry
in the middle of
in the potential

9


TOEIC GRAMMAR

reach agreement (not correct)



reach an agreement

Example: As a result of traffic accidents, many people were injured.
Point 9

Adjectives and adverbs

Tip: Check that the adjective is placed before the noun
Remember that adjectives are always singular
Tip: Check that the adverb is often placed:

- before or after a verb
- before an adjective
- before another adverb
Remember that most adverbs are formed as follows: adjective + ly
slow
slowly
final
finally
+) Adjectives or adverbs
Adjectives only
costly, friendly, likely, lively ...
Both adjectives and adverbs
daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, early, quarterly, hourly,
nightly, fast, straight, well
Adjectives
free
hard
high
late
pretty
wide

+)
+)
+)
+)
+)
+)
+)
+)

+)
+)
+)
+)

Adverbs
free (without payment) you can come in free.
freely (without limit) He could speak freely about it.
hard He work hard
hardly (= almost not) He hardly knows her.
high Planes flies high
highly (= very much) a highly paid job
late He left work late
lately (= recently) What have you been doing lately?
prettily She danced prettily.
pretty (= rather) Teperatures are pretty high.
wide Open the door wide.
widely (in many different places) He has traveled widely.

+) Verbs + adjective
The following (state) verbs can only be followed by adjectives not adverbs:
be, seem, become, appear, prove, stay, grow, get
look, sound, taste, feel, smell (verbs of senses)
It sounds good to me.
Chances of survival seem hopeless.
Note:
The adjectives alike, alive, alone, afraid, asleep can only appear after the above verbs and
never directly in front of the nouns they describe.
Example: Ads all look alike.
+) Adjectives: -ed or –ing

10


TOEIC GRAMMAR

-ing adjectives describe things or people that are having effects on others. They also convey
the meaning of active.
Example: This news article is rather worrying. (It worries me)
John is very interesting. (He interests me)
-ed adjectives describe feelings, reactions or emotion of a person regarding his/her
surroundings and the way he/she feels because of the effect. They aslso convey
the meaning of passive.
Example: Hoang is worried. (something has worried him)
The enclosed document is about the possible merger of the two companies.
(The document is an animate thing. it cannot perform the action “enclose” so we
enclose the document)
+) Hyphenated adjectives
When expressions of measurement, amount and quantity are used as hyphenated adjectives,
they are:
- singular
- formed as follows:
article + cardinal number – singular noun + noun
Example:
It is a three-hour drive to Chicago.
He had no change for a fifty-dollar bill.
They will invest in a new ten-ton truck.
+) The + adjectives
The is used with adjectives to represent a class of persons; the meaning is plural
Example: The french eat frog legs.

The young are worried about the future.

Point 10

Comparative and superlative

Adjective
one-syllable
hard
two-syllable ending in –y
early
other two-syllable and long
tiring
intelligent

Comparative
-er
harder
-er
earlier
more
more tiring
more intelligent

some two-syllable
quiet
clever
simple

more or –er

more quiet
cleverer
simpler

Superlative
-est
hardest
-est
earliest
most
most tiring
most intelligent
most or –est
quietest
most clever
most simple

Some adjectives have irregular comparatives and superlatives as shown in the following table:

11


TOEIC GRAMMAR

Adjective
good
bad
far
little
much

Comparative
better
worse
farther/further
less
more

Superlative
best
worst
farthest/furthest
least
most

Example: The situation should get better soon.
How much further is it?
The new model uses less gas.
+) A lot, much ... with comparatives
Before the comparatives of adjectives you can use:
much, a lot, a little, a bit, far, any, no, rather, slightly, and significantly
If we leave any later than 5.00, we’ll get caught in rush hour.
This task is much more complicated than that one.
+) As ... as
We use as ... as ... to say that people or things are equal in some way.
Note:
• as much ... as ..., as many ... as ...
I didn’t get as much money as I had hoped.
• twice/ three times ... as ... as ...
A US worker is 10 times as expensive as a worker in Mexico.

• the same ... as ...
My hair is the same colour as yours.

+) Double comparatives
We can use double comparatives
•

... er and ... er :
Our nation gets fatter and fatter every year.
• more and more + adjective :
The problem gets more and more difficult to solve.
To say that something is increasing all the time.
+) The ... the ...
We can use comparatives with the definite article the
The more you say, the worse the situation will be.
The more, the merrier.
To say that two changes happen together.
Point 11

Order of Adverbs

12


TOEIC GRAMMAR

+) Adverbs in mid-position
Adverbs that go in mid-position express:
• frequency: never, rarely, always ...
• certainty: probably, certainly, obviously ...

• degree: nearly, almost, quite ...
The word order for adverbs in mid-position is as follows:
Tense

Subject Auxiliary
Adverb
verb
To be in simple tenses I
am
usually
Perfect tenses
He
has
already
Modal auxiliary verbsWe
can
sometimes
Simple tenses
She
hardly
Passive with two
He
has
never
auxiliary verbs

Verb Complement
right
seen
this film

play
tennis
cooks
dinner
been
for his novels
remembered

+) Only / even
Only and even go just before the words they emphasize.
It will only take (only) five minutes.
They have even forgotten (even) his name.
+) Sometimes / sometime / some time
Sometimes: means occationally
answers the question How often?
Sometime: means at one moment in the future (it can aslo mean “one day”)
Answer the question When?
Let’s have dinner together sometime next week.
Some time: means a period of time
She’s lived in Italy for some time, so she speaks Italian quite well.
+) Every day/week/month ... (daily, weekly, monthly ...) ; quarterly; once, twice a day/
month/ week, biannually ...
These words above normally come at the beginning or at the end of a sentence.
The staff meeting is held quarterly.
Every day I love you.

13


TOEIC GRAMMAR

Unit 3

Determiners and pronouns

Point 1 Determiners
Definition :
A determiner is a word that is normally used at the beginning of a noun phrase. Determiners
include:
• articles. There are two types of articles:
- the definite article: the
- the indefinite article: a/an
• possessive adjectives
• demonstrative adjectives
Note: Never leave a singular countable noun standing alone. You must use a determiner.
+) Some, any
Some and any are usually followed by plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns and
are used as follows:
some cars
any cars
some money
any money
Some is used:
• in affirmative sentences: He’s got some books from the library.
• in offers and requests:
Could I have some books, please?

14

TOEIC GRAMMAR

Why don’t you take some books home with you?
Any is
•
•
•

used:
in negatives (not any = no; hardly any; never any): There isn’t any reason to complain.
in questions: Have they got any children?
in affirmative sentences, any = “no matter which”, “no matter who”,
“no matter what”
You can borrow any of my books.

Their compounds
Their compounds, which are always singular, are:
•

someone/somebody, something, somewhere.
I have something to say.
• anyone/anybody, anything, anywhere.
Does anybody have the time?
You may invite anybody to dinner, I don’t mind.
• no one/nobody, nothing, nowhere.
Homeless people have nowhere to go at night.
• (everyone/everybody, everything, everywhere).
They can be followed by else. There’s nothing else to do.

+) Expressions of quantity

The chart below shows which expressions of quantity are used with:
Uncountable nouns (singular)
much
an/the amount of
little
a little
less

Plural countable nouns
many
a/the number of
few
a few
fewer
several
both
a couple of

How much money do you have?
Both students have passed their exams.
+) Little/ a little – Few/ a few
Little/ few
- mean “not a lot, hardly any”: Few tourists visited the area because of the oil spill.
- have a negative meaning: The project failed because too little money was spent on it.
A little/ a few
- mean “some”: I need only a little help to finish this work.
- are more positive: For a few dollars more, you can walk up to the top.
- can be used with only: Only a little progress has been made.

15

TOEIC GRAMMAR

+) Most
Most can be followed by:
• a noun: Most trainees haven’t done much work.
• of + determiner + noun: Most of my friends will come to the party.
+ object pronoun: Most of them have work to do.
+) Each/ every
Each and every are similar in meaning and are both followed by a singular noun.
Each
Every
• seperates (one by one)
• generalizes (all)
Each child received a present.
Every child in the world deserves affection.
• can be a pronoun
• also means how often something happens
Each of the children received a present.and is therefore followed by a plural noun
The Olympic is held every four years.

+) All and whole
All and whole are similar in meaning (whole means “complete, “every part of”)
All
Whole
All + (determiner) + noun
Determiner + whole + singular noun
Julie spent all the summer at home.
Julie spent the whole summer at home.

All my life
My whole life
We usually use all, not whole, with uncountable nouns
She’s drunk all the milk. (NOT ... the whole milk.)
There are some exceptions: for example the whole time; the whole truth.
+ All and every
All and every are similar in meaning (every means “all without exception”.)
All
All + (determiner) + noun
All children need love.
Please switch off all the lights.
We can use all, not every, with uncountable nouns.
I like all music. (NOT ... every music.)

Every
Every + singular noun
Every child needs love.
Please switch off every light.

All day/evening ...= the whole day/evening ...= the complete day/evening ...
Every day/evening/three weeks ... says how often something happens
All the time = always
Every time = each time, on every occation
The whole time = from beginning to end
Point 2

Pronouns

Definition :

16


TOEIC GRAMMAR

A pronoun is a word that is used instead of a more precise noun or noun-phrase.
+) Personal pronouns
Personal pronoun can be classified as follows:
SubjectObject
I
me
you
you
he
him
she
her
it
it
we
us
they
them

Reflexive
Possessive Adjectives
Possessive Pronouns
myself
my
mine

yourself/yourselves
your
yours
himself
his
his
herself
her
hers
itself
its
its
ourselves
our
ours
themselves
their
theirs

+) Relative pronouns
Relative pronouns are both:
- subjects or objects of verbs
- like conjunctions, joining clauses together
Function
subject

People
Things
who/ that
which/ that

I’m sure I know the person who/ that served
the book which/ that you gave me is really
us.
interesting.
object
whom/ that/ who
which/ that
The woman (whom/ that/ who) you metHave
at
you seen his film, which was excellent by
the party is an engineer.
the way?
Have you seen the film (that/ which) he was telling
us about?
possessive
whose
whose
My friend, whose flat is being redecorated,
Thisisis the book whose cover is really nice.
staying at home.
Note: What/ which
When a relative clause:
• refers to the whole sentence before it, we use which
John won the gold medal, which amazed everyone.
• has no antecedent and means ‘the thing(s) that’, we use what
What I want to do is going to see her.
+) That-clause
A that-clause can be the subject of a sentence:
(The fact) That + subject + verb + verb ...
subject

That she wanted to resign didn’t come as shock to Hoang.

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TOEIC GRAMMAR

Unit 4 Passive and Active Voices
Point 1 Form
Passive voice in various tenses
Tense
Simple present
Present perfect
Simple past
Past perfect
Simple future
Future perfect
Present
continuous
Past continuous
Modals

Subject
The
The
The
The
The
The
The

car/cars
car/cars
car/cars
car/cars
car/cars
car/cars
car/cars

The car/cars
The car/cars

Verb
Plural
are
have been
were
had been
will be
will have been
is being
are being

Past
participle
designed
designed
designed
designed
designed

designed
designed

was being
were being
can, may, must,ect be

designed
designed

Singular
is
has been
was

Point 2 Intransitive verbs mistakenly used as transitive verbs
A sentence that contains a transitive verb can be used in passive voice, but a sentence that
contains an intransitive verb cannot, for it does not have an object, which is needed to fill the
subject position in a passive sentence. Pay attention to the following intransitive verbs, which
might mistakenly be used as transitive verbs.
appear
exist
occur
function

arrive
happen
remain
resemble

consist of
lie
rise
disappear

deteriorate
look
prove
take place

Example: The prices have been risen by 10 percent during the past year. (not correct)
The prices have risen by 10 percent during the past year. (correct)

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TOEIC GRAMMAR

The verb “rise” is intransitive, so it cannot be used in passive voice.
Point 3 Causative verbs
Causative verbs show that someone or something made a certain action happen. The most
common causative verbs are get, make and have. Verbs like order, cause, force, and want
can also be causative verbs. They are all followed by noun clauses.

PATTERNS TO REMEMBER
+) If the direct object of the causative verbs make, have, and let performed,
performs, or will perform the action, the simple (base) form of a verb is
used.
INCORRECT [He had the secretary signed for the package.]
CORRECT

He had the secretary sign for the package.
+) If the direct object of other caustive verbs (such as get, want, order,
cause,ect.)
performed, performs, or will perform the action, to plus the simple (base)
form of
a verb is used.
INCORRECT [He ordered everybody leave the room.]
CORRECT

He ordered everybody to leave the room.

+) If the direct object of the causative verb received, receives, or will receive
the
action, the past participle form of verb is used.
INCORRECT [We will want the computer will be delivered at once.]
CORRECT
We will want the computer delivered at once.

Point 4 Other forms of expressing passive
a. Causative form: HAVE, GET
Active: Subject + HAVE + object (person) + bare-infinitive + object (thing)
Passive: Subject + HAVE + object (thing) + past pariciple (+ by + object
(person))
Active: Subject + GET + object (person) + to infinitive + object (thing)
Passive: Subject + GET + object (thing) + past participle (+ by + object
(person))

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TOEIC GRAMMAR

Example: They had the mechanic service their car yesterday.
 They had their car serviced yesterday.
We get her to make some coffee.
 We get some coffee made.
b. Verbs of perception: see, watch, hear, notice, overhear, feel, etc.
Active: Subject + verb + object + bare infinitive/ V-ing + ...
Passive: S(o) + be + past participle + to infinitive/ V-ing + ...
Example: They saw him leave.
 He was seen to leave.
They saw the lorry running down the hill.
 The lorry was seen running down the hill.

c. Verbs of opinion: say, think, believe, report, discover, etc.
Active: Subject + verb + (that) + clause (S2 + V2 + O2 ...)
Passive: -) It + be + verb (past participle) + (that) + clause
-) S2 + be + verb (past participle) + to infinitive ...
+ to have + past participle
Example: People say that he is a famous chef.
 It is said that he is a famous chef.
 He is said to be a famous chef.
They thought that Marry had gone away.
 It was thought that Marry had gone.
 Marry was thought to have gone away.
Point 5 Intransitive verb + preposition = transitive verb
Basically, intransitive verbs cannot be used in passive voice; however, the following
combinations of “intransitive verb + preposition” are regarded as transitive verbs and can be
used in passive voice.
account for

deal with
attend to
focus on
laugh at
look after
rely on









be accounted for by
be dealt with by
be attended to by
be focused on by
be laughed at by
be looked after by
be relied on by

Example: The sales figures for the last quarter were accounted for by the sales manager.
Point 6 Passive expressions with prepositions other than by
A. Common expressions with at

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TOEIC GRAMMAR

be
be
be
be
be
be
be
be
be

alarmed
amazed
amused
annoyed
disappointed
grieved
relieved
shocked
surprised

+ at

Example: The manager was surprised at a worker’s behavior.

B. Common expressions with in
be
be
be

be
be
be

absorbed
involved
indulged
interested
engaged
located

+ in

Example: Peter is involved in too many activities
C. Common expressions with with
be
be
be
be
be
be
be
be
be
be
be

bored
contented
covered

crowded
exhausted
fatigued
gratified
pleased
satisfied
tired
worn out

+ with

Example: The department store was crowded with last-minute shoppers on the eve of the
holiday.
We hope you will be satisfied with the arrangements we have made, and apologized
for the inconvenience caused.

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TOEIC GRAMMAR

Unit 5 Tenses
Tip:

Always make sure that:
- there is a verb in the sentence.
- the verb is conjugated.

Point 1 Overview
1. Auxiliary verbs are used:

• to make different tense
- be + -ing: continuous tenses He is working.
- be + -ed (PII): passive He was contacted.
- have + -ed (PII): perfect tenses We have phoned them.
- do (questions and negatives in simple tenses) He didn’t say anything.
• To express meanings such as possibility, advisability, and necessity
(modal auxiliary verbs)
can, could
will, would
shall, should
may, might
must, ought to
2. English tenses

+

verb (base form)

They will come.

There are 12 tenses in English.

Simple tenses
Continuous tenses
Present simple
I listen
Present continuous
I am listening
I don’t listen
You aren’t listening

Does he lsiten?
Is she listening?
Past simple
I listened
Past continuous
I was listening
She didn’t listen
She wasn’t listening
Did they listen?
Were you listening to me?
Future simple
I will listen
Future continuous
I will be listening
They won’t listen
Will you listen?
Perfect tensesPerfect continuous tenses
Present perfect
I have listened
Present perfect continuous I have been listening
He hasn’t listened
Have you listened?
Past perfect
I had listenedPast perfect continuous
I had been listening
Future perfect
I will have listened
Future perfect continuous I will have been listeing

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TOEIC GRAMMAR

3. State and action verbs
Action verbs can be continuous. State verbs cannot usually be continuous:
believe, belong, consist of, depend on, deserve, exist, know, like, mean, own, need, prefer,
remember, seem, understand, want ...
State verbs (simple tenses)
I think he’ll come (believe)
I have a dog (own)
I see what you mean (understand)
You look pretty
Point 2

I’m
I’m
I’m
I’m

Action verbs (simple or continuous)
thinking about it (ponder, consider)
having a hot dog
seeing the doctor (meet)
looking at a picture

Explanation

1. Present simple:
+) Facts that are always true:

Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
The sun rises in the East.
+) Habitual actions (A frequency adverb is often used)
I usually take the bus to work.
They often get up at 7.30.
+) Summary of events (The present simple is used to make a summary of the events
in a narrative, for example in a film or book. It can also be used for a table of
historical events.)
In Chapter 1, Susan meets David, and agrees to go to the school dance with him.
In 1789 the French Revolution begins.
+) Describe future events which are based on a timetable, programme, calendar or
fixed events which the speaker can not change.
The bus to the science museum leaves at 8 a.m tomorrow.
My train leaves at 11.30 tomorrow morning.
Note:
Pronunciation - vebs which end in /z/, /dz/, /s/, /sh/, /tsh/ and /ks/ make an

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TOEIC GRAMMAR

extra syllable in the third person, pronounced /iz/.
buzzes
watches
misses
relaxes
After /f/, /p/, /t/ and /k/ third person sound is /s/.
hit /hits/
Other third person /s/ are pronounced as /z/.

sees /si:z/

2. Present continuous:
+) Actions are in progress now (these can be temporary and not yet finished.)
I’m reading one of the Harry Potter books at the moment.
I’m staying in a hotel until I find a flat.
+) Actions can be generally in progress but not actually happening at the moment:
I’m learning to drive.
They’re trying to adapt to the new environment.
+) We can use the present continuous with adverbs such as always, constantly,
continually or forever to emphasize that something is done so often that it is
characteristic of a person or group of things. In addition, we use this pattern to
indicate disapproval or complaint.
You’re always borrowing money from me.
Kate’s forever asking me for money.
A: I think I’ll stay here after all.
B: You’re constantly changing your mind.
+) Some verbs are not normally used in the continuous form, because they describe
activities which already extend in time. These are called state verbs.
•
•
•
•

belong, consist of, contain, cost, depend on, deserve, own, possess, have
like, love, hate, want, need, prefer, enjoy
believe, imagine, know, realize, understand, mean, think, regret
smell, taste, feel, see, seem, appear

+) We use am/ is/ are being to say how somebody is behaving.

I can’t understand why he is being so selfish. He isn’t usually like that.
(being selfish = behaving selfishly at the moment)
He never thinks about other people. He is very selfish. (not He is being)
(= He is selfish in general, not only at the moment)
It is not usually possible in other sentences:
It’s hot today. (not It is being hot)
Sarah is very tired. (not is being tired)
Note: Spelling problems
Verbs ending –e drop the –e when they add –ing.
like liking decide deciding write writing

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TOEIC GRAMMAR

Verbs with one syllable, ending in one vowel and one consonant, double the consonant when
they add –ing.
sit sitting swim swimming dig digging
Verbs ending –ie change –ie to –y.
lie lying tie tying die dying

3. Present perfect and Present perfect continuous:
Have/ Has + PII
+) Describe a state which lasts up to the present.
I’ve lived in this house for five years.
+) Refer to events connected to the present, without a definite past time (or
indefinite
events that happened at an unknown time in the past)
Archeologists have discovered an Anglo-Saxon Palace in London.

+) Present perfect can be used with: just, already, yet, recently, lately, since, for for ages,
never, so
far, up to now, etc
I’ve worked in this department for six months.
After It’s/ This is the first/ second time we used the present perfect.
This is the first time I have eaten Japanese food.
Note: I’ve lived here for 10 years. (I’m still here)
I lived here for 10 years.
(I’m not there now)
I’ve not seen him since he was 10.
A lot of profits have been made since he took the office.
+) Present perfect continuous: Have/ has been doing
•

Emphasize the length of a continuing activity.
I’ve been working on my project all morning.

•

For recent continuing activities, continuing up to the present.
I’ve been waiting here for half an hour.
I haven’t been taking a lot of exercise lately.

•

With how long questions.
How long have you been learning English? (this is a continuing process, and isn’t
finished)

•

The verbs wait, sit, lie, stay prefer the present perfect continuous.
I’ve been waiting for ages.

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