List of Content

List of content 1

Problems on Question tag

2

Problems on Causative 3

Problems on Participle 4

Problems on Word Order

5

Problems on Adjectives and Adverbs

6

Problems on Pasive Voice

7

Problems on Linking Verbs 8

Problems on Eliptical Sentences

10

Problems on Auxiliary Verbs 12

Problems on Agreement

13

Problems on Parallel Structure

16

Problems on Gerunds and Infinitives

17

Problems on Comparisons

21

Problems on Personal Pronouns

23

Problems on Conditional Sentences

24

Problems on Tenses 26

Problems on TOEFL 1

Problems on Question Tag

Question tags is a statement followed by a short question. “The whole sentence is a tag question, and the short question at the end is called a question tag.”1 We use tag question at the end of statements to ask for confirmation.

Basic structure of question tag is :

+Positive

statement,

-negative

tag?

He writes a letter,

doesn’t he?

-Negative

statement,

+positive tag?

He is not shrewd,

is he?

Some special cases2 :

I am right, aren’t I? aren’t I (not amn’t I)

You have to go, don’t you?

You (do) have to go…

I have been answering, haven’t I?

use first auxiliary

Nothing came in the post, did it?

Treat statements with nothing, nobody etc like negative statements

Let’s go, shall we? Let’s = let us

1 www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-question-tag.htm2 www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-question-tag.htm

Problems on TOEFL 2

He’d better do it, hadn’t he?

He had better (no auxiliary)

www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-question-tag.htm

Problems on Causative

Causative is the sentence pattern that used when we want explain about someone that makes other people doing something for him or her.

Formula:

A. Subject + have + active object + infinitive without to

Example: He has them answer the question.

The other verb which can be used for this formula are make dan get.

Example: He makes them answer the question

He gets them to answer the question

B. Subject + have + passive object + past participle + (by someone else)

“The other way to express ‘caustive’ is using Formula B, makes something was done by somebody else. Besides using ‘have’, we also can use ‘get’.”3

Example:

I had my car washed (means: I asked someone to wash my car for me)

She had the assignment done (means: someone must do the assignment for her)

“If ‘have’ be used with this way, the negative dan interrogative form use do/did.”4

Example:

1. You have your house painted every five years (+)

Do you have your house painted every five years? (?)

2. I had them cleaned yesterday (+)

I didin’t have them cleaned yesterday (-)

3 Rumus XII IPA GO, 2008 page 1474 Rumus XII IPA GO, 2008 page 147

Problems on TOEFL 3

Problems on Participle

A. Active Participle

“Active participle is verb ended with ‘ing’: running, passing, crying, etc. If active participle begin with ‘tobe’, then it comes to progressive form (continous form). Active participle appears heaps of time after the object from dari verb: see, hear, smell, feel, watch, notice, listen to, look at, observe, keep, find, catch, leave, which the function as adjective or adverb.”5

So, active participle is just like present participle that can be changed into present continous if we add ‘tobe’ before the verb plus ‘ing’.

Example:

I saw the cat falling.

My mother heard the baby crying.

B. Passive Participle

“Passive participle is the third form of verb. If passive participle begin with ‘tobe’, then appears passive form pattern.”6

Passive participle is as same as past participle.

Example:

A house is made from so many material.

I was born in November.

“One of the primary function of passive participle is to express causal connection.”7

Example:

Because/as/since the city is surrounded by mountain, the city has a cool climate.

(Surrounded by mountain, the city has a cool climate.)

5 Rumus XII IPA GO, 2008 page 1526 Rumus XII IPA GO, 2008 page 1527 Rumus XII IPA GO, 2008 page 152

Problems on TOEFL 4

Problems on Word Order

“Word order discuss about the place of subject, predicate, object, and complement in a sentence according to the position and the function.”8

Referred from the definition above, we know that word order arrange the right position for each of words.

The normal pattern of English sentence order are:

When Who

Which

What

Action (predicat

e)

Who

Which

What

How (adverb)

Where When

Yesterday

I went to the zoo

I had a very bad

headache

Budi took her to the cafe

last week

Anto drive carelessly

Assertion :

”Explanation of time can be placed at the beginning or the end of the sentence. But oftentimes it’s placed at the end of the sentence.”9

“Subject always followed by predicate, then object, adverb, and the explanation of time.”10

”Different with adverb of manner that usually placed after object. Adverb of frequency (never, seldom, often, usually, etc.) placed before the main verb.”11

The position of word ’enough’ always changed according to if ‘enough’ explain noun, adjective, or adverb.

8 Rumus XII IPA GO, 2008 page 1609 Rumus XII IPA GO, 2008 page 16010 Rumus XII IPA GO, 2008 page 16011 Rumus XII IPA GO, 2008 page 160

Problems on TOEFL 5

Adjective + enough

Adverb

Enough + noun

Example: He speaks well enough to be an interpreter.

It is cold enough to wear a heavy jacket.

Do you have enough money to buy the remote control car?

“Embedded Question is a question form that inserted in a sentence or the other question.”12

The formula:

Subject + verb + question word + subject + (auxiliary) verb

Problems on Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives is a word that describes, qualifies, or identifies a noun or pronoun.

Example :

1. I have a black cat

(word “black” explain the noun “cat”)

Adjective are divided into four classes :

1. Possessive Adjectives

“A possessive adjective ("my," "your," "his," "her," "its," "our," "their") is similar or identical to a possessive pronoun; however, it is used as an adjective and modifies a noun or a noun phrase, as in the following sentences:”13

I can't complete my assignment because I don't have the textbook.

In this sentence, the possessive adjective "my" modifies "assignment" and the noun phrase "my assignment" functions as an object. Note that the possessive pronoun form "mine" is not used to modify a noun or noun phrase.

2. Demonstrative Adjectives

The demonstrative adjectives "this," "these," "that," "those," and "what" are identical to the demonstrative pronouns, but are used as adjectives to modify nouns or noun phrases, as in the following sentences:

When the librarian tripped over that cord, she dropped a pile of books.

In this sentence, the demonstrative adjective "that" modifies the noun "cord" and the noun phrase "that cord" is the object of the preposition "over."

3. Interrogative Adjectives

An interrogative adjective ("which" or "what") is like an interrogative pronoun, except that it modifies a noun or noun phrase rather than standing on its own (see also demonstrative adjectives and possessive adjectives):

Which plants should be watered twice a week?

12 Rumus XII IPA GO, 2008 page 16013 google - www.writingcentre.uottawa.ca/hypergrammar/adjectve.htm, Written by Heather MacFadyen

Problems on TOEFL 6

Like other adjectives, "which" can be used to modify a noun or a noun phrase. In this example, "which" modifies "plants" and the noun phrase "which plants" is the subject of the compound verb "should be watered":

4. Indefinite Adjectives

An indefinite adjective is similar to an indefinite pronoun, except that it modifies a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase, as in the following sentences:

Many people believe that corporations are under-taxed.

The indefinite adjective "many" modifies the noun "people" and the noun phrase "many people" is the subject of the sentence.

Problems on Passive Voice

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is performing the action.

Form :

The passive is made with the verb "to be" and the past participle.

Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular verbs)

Examples of Passive:14

Tense

Simple present:

Present continuous:

Simple past:

Past continuous:

Present perfect:

Past perfect:

Future:

Future continuous:

Present conditional:

Past conditional:

Subject

Flowers

Flowers

Flowers

Flowers

Flowers

Flowers

Flowers

Flowers

Flowers

Flowers

Verb "to be"

are

are being

were

were being

have been

had been

will be

will be being

would be

would have been

Past Participle

planted every year

planted now.

planted last year

planted last summer.

planted here for 10 years.

planted until last year.

planted next year.

planted during the summer.

planted if we had seeds.

planted if we had had seeds.

http://www.1-language.com/englishcourse/unit58_grammar.htm

14 http://www.1-language.com/englishcourse/unit58_grammar.htm

Problems on TOEFL 7

Problems on Linking Verbs

A linking verb implies a state of being or condition for the subject, not an action. It links the subject to an equivalent word in the sentence.

A linking verb may connect the subject with a noun:15

1. Roads were a slushy mess on Monday along parts of the East Coast.

1. ROADS is linked to MESS, which is equal in terms of description.

2. Smoking appeared to be the cause of the blaze.

1. SMOKING is linked to CAUSE, which restates the subject.

3. It was a sad day.

1. IT is linked to a noun DAY, which restates the subject.

A linking verb may connect the subject with a pronoun:16

1. The book could be his.

1. The subject (BOOK) is linked with the pronoun indicating its state of being (HIS).

2. The robbery victim pointed and yelled, "That is he."

1. THAT is linked with HE, which is equal in terms of description.

A linking verb may connect the subject with an adjective:17

1. The writer was proud of her efforts.

1. The subject (WRITER) is linked with her state of being (PROUD).

2. Before the show, Malik seemed nervous.

1. MALIK is linked with NERVOUS, which is equal in terms of description.

Typically, linking verbs are a form of the verb TO BE: IS, WAS, AM, ARE, WERE, BEEN18

1. The crew's mission is to create the best topographic map of Earth.

15 http://www.grammaruntied.com/verbs/linking.html16 http://www.grammaruntied.com/verbs/linking.html17 http://www.grammaruntied.com/verbs/linking.html18 http://www.grammaruntied.com/verbs/linking.html

Problems on TOEFL 8

1. The subject is MISSION. The linking verb is IS, and the descriptor—in this case a predicate nominative—is TO CREATE.

2. The solution was judges who would mete out longer prison sentences.

1. The subject is SOLUTION. The linking verb is WAS, and the descriptor—in this case a predicate nominative—is JUDGES.

3. Leonardo said, "I am the king of the world."

1. The subject is I. The linking verb is AM, and the descriptor—in this case a predicate nominative—is KING.

4. The number of minor children with one or both parents behind bars is 1.5 million.

1. The subject is NUMBER. The linking verb is IS, and the descriptor—in this case a predicate adjective—is 1.5 MILLION.

5. Law-abiding Americans were far less safe in 1980 than in 1960.

1. The subject is AMERICANS. The linking verb is WERE, and the descriptor—in this case a predicate adjective—is SAFE.

6. Some see this as a societal commitment to imprisonment on a scale that would have been unthinkable a quarter of a century ago in this, or any other, country.

1. The subject is THAT. The linking verb is WOULD HAVE BEEN, and the descriptor—in this case a predicate adjective—is UNTHINKABLE

Problems on TOEFL 9

Problems on Elliptical Sentences

1) “If the first clause use be, next clause use too.”19

Positive sentence be Subject + be + too

So + be +subject

Example : I am a university student and you are too I am a university student and so are you

2) “if the first clause have auxiliary that followed by noun verb, and auxiliary to used at second clause.”20

Positive sentence WillShouldMustetc

Subject + will + too Should must

So + will + subject Should must

Example :

My friends will come to my house tomorrow and my teacher will too My friends will come to my house tomorrow and so will my teacher

3) “if in the first clause not use auxiliary but use verb1, second xlause must use auxiliary do, does, or did.” 21

Positive sentence Verb1Verb2Verb3

Subject + be + too

So + be + subject

19 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 94) “our group think the sentence use be after subject.”20 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 94) “our group think using auxiliary to followed main verb.”21 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 94), “our group thinkused auxiliary do, does, or did.”

Problems on TOEFL 10

Example:

Andi goes to school everyday and his sister does too Yoy like her and so do I They went home early yesterday and she did too

4) “either and neither is used by negative sentence. Its have same structure such as so and too. In negative sentence word too changed with either. Word so changed with neither. If neither is used by negative sentence that word not require ‘not’ at its clause.”22

Negative sentence

BeWillShouldMustetc

Subject + be + not either Will Should must

Neither + be +subject Will Should must

Example :

I am not a university student and you are not either They did not go home early yesterday and neither did she My friends will not come to my house tomorrow and my teacher won’t

either

5) “if we will to mention two person or noun together, we can to use both that’s mean both of them.”23

Positive sentence Both + be/verb + positive sentence

Example: Doni and Andi are my brothers. Both are smart at school This hotel has two entrances. Both entrance look strong and nice

22 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 94), “our group think neither and either have same structure in elliptical sentence, but its use for negative sentence. Use neither like use so, and use either like use too. Neither not require word not that clause because neither same as not either.”23 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 95)

Problems on TOEFL 11

Problems on Auxiliary Verbs

“In English language, there are a number of verb that function helping together verb to express different meaning. That verb kind of auxiliary verb. The auxiliary verb such as be, have, do, dare, need, used to, and uccostumed to.”24

A. Usage BE (is, am, are, was, were, be, to be, being, and been)1) Be + verb-ing

They are discussing their plan for picnic2) Be + going to + verb1

I’m going to finish my thesis next year3) Be + to + verb1

The director is to open meeting Be + verb3

A new supermarket will be opened soonB. Usage HAVE (can different type such as has, have, to have, dan

having)1) Have + verb3

He has lived in this city for five years2) Have + to + verb1

In order to pass the exam, you have to study very hard3) Had better + verb1

We had better cancel the appointmemt processC. Usage DO (do, does, did)

1) Do + not + verb1 You do not understand me2) Do + subject + verb1

Did you get the same materials from the professor?3) Do + verb1

I do hope you to come hereD. Usage DARE

1) Dare + to + verb1 (for positive and introgative sentence) He dares to attach his anemy without friends2) Dare + verb1 (for negative sentence)

He dare dot meet the professorE. Usage NEED

1) Need + to + verb1 (for positive sentence) We need to solve this problem soon2) Need + verb1 (for negative and introgative sentence)

You need not go to the hospital Need I meet you before the class?

24 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 111) “our group think Auxiliary verb is to expressed some meaning from sentence”

Problems on TOEFL 12

Problems on Agreement

“The concord is agreement between subject and verb. If a sentence have singular subject, its verb must singular too. If a sentence have plural subject, its verb must plural too.”25

Example :

A rabbit eats grass Rabbits eat grass Some students are in the room

a. “Phrase that prepotition by of/on/in to join subject do not change the number of the subject.”26 subject + of/on/in…. + verb The study of local people in this village is necessary to carry out. All proposals on the project have been signed up. Some employees in the company were hospitalized yesterday.

b. “Phrase such as along with, together with, accompanied by, as well as that join a subject do not change the number of subject.”27 Subject + along with/together with…. + verb

Accompanied by….As well as….

The teacher together with his students is waiting for the train. Doni along with his parents is going to the concert to night. All people as well as their leader were having a ceremony on the top of

the mountain. The president accompanied by some of his ministers is visiting the

rural village now.c. “Subject to positioned by verb-ing always take a singular verb.”28

Verb-ing + verb Writing stories is my hobby. Learning how to communicatite in English is greatly needed in this

modern era.

25 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 59) “our grup think about the topic is to concord subject with verb in a sentence. Singular subjects have singular verbs and plural subjects have plural verbs.”26 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 60) “our group think subjects joined by preposition of/on/in do not change the number of subject.”27 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 60) “our group think preposition phrases that come between a subjects and its veb do not change the number of subject.”28 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 61) “our group think gerund such as a subject take a singular verb. But when subject joined by ‘and’ take a plural verb.”

Problems on TOEFL 13

Discussing problems among students was our tradition in the past, but now everything look different.

“But if that subject joined by and take a plural verb.”29

Fishing and swimming are two interesting activities when we have a picnic to the beach.

Reading stories and writing letters to his friends from California that he does almost everyday make his English improve better than the others.

d. “Indefinite pronouns always take a singular subject. Because of that its verb must singular.”30 Indefinite pronouns + verb1) Any+….: anybody, anyone, anything

Is anyone primitted to borrow books in this library?2) No + singular noun: nobody,no one, nothing

Nobody speaks English better than Jane dose.No one is allowed to enter the room.

3) Some + singular noun: somebody, someone, somethingSomething was under your house.Someone is coming.

4) Every + singular noun: everybody, everyone, everythingEverybody who has got a ticket should wait for the bus in the room.

5) Each + singular noun: each person, each student, each room, etc.Each student has the right to get all the scholl service.Each person obeys the rules.

e. “Word of none/no is nothing. If none/no such as subject it can be singular or plural, depend its none.”31

None/no…. + verb1) None + of the + noncountable noun + singular verb

None of the information has been got by the applicants.2) None + of the + plural count noun + plural verb

None of the students have submitted their tasks.3) No + singular noun + singular verb

No example was given by the teacher.4) No + noncount noun + singular verb

No sand was provided to build houses.5) No + plural noun + plural verb

No patients like the way the doctor treats them.f. “Subject having a form of either…or/neither..nor will be effected by its

none.”32 Either… or… + verbNeither… nor… + verb 1) Neither/either + noun + nor/or + singular noun + singular verb

29 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 61) “our group think indefinite pronoun always take a singular subject and its verb must be singular verb.”30 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 61) “our group think indefinite pronoun always take a singular subject and its verb must be singular verb.”31 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 62)“our group think many words may be singular or plural depending on what they refer to none/no.”32 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 63) “when subject are joined by following structure (either..or/neither..nor), the verb must agree with the closer subject.”

Problems on TOEFL 14

Neither Rony nor Rudi is going to the party.Either John or William likes dancing.

2) Neither/either + noun + nor/or + plural noun + plural verbNeither Susan nor her daughters are going to the party today.Either John or all his daughters like dancing.

g. Collective + noun verb1) “There are some collective noun. Its usually singular, and its verb must

singular. But some noun are plural, so that its verb must plural.”33 Some of these word are: Family, Team, Jury, Committee, Government, Crowd, Club, etc.Example : The poor family has got fund from the readers of the newspapers. Our team has become the winner of the competition, The organization grows bigger this year. The gorvenment has decide to stop the use of narcotics in the country.

2) “Nouns for collective animals considered singular, and its verb must be singular.”34 Some of these word are: School of fish, Pride of Lions, Flock of birds, etc.

Example : A school of fish always swims along this beach. A flock of birds was flying to the south. A pack of dogs was barking all days.

3) “Collective noun are indicated time, money, and measure that all of them considered singular too.”35

Thirty minutes is nt enough time to finish the English test. Ten kilometers is too much to run in one hour. Thirty dollars is too expensive for this kind of tape recorder.

4) “Nouns are always plural, exept for phrase …a pair of…, that’s be singular.”36 Example : Tweezers, Pliers, Jeans, Shorts, Trousers, Eyeglasses, Scissors The pliers were in the drawer. The pair of pliers was in the drawer. These scissors are very sharp. The pair of scissors is very sharp.

5) “Subject that joined by There is /There are to follow its word.”37 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 65)There is/there was/there has been + singular subject/non-countThere are/there were/there have been + plural subject

33 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 64), “our group think collective nouns are usually singular, but may be plural if the members are functioning independently. Watch the pronoun for clues to the singular or plural nature of the subject.”34 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 64), “our group think collective of nimals re singular subject, and its verb must be singular.”35 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 64), “our group think expression stating one amount of time, money, volume, and weight are plural in form but take a singular verb.”36 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 65), “our group think nouns are always plural in form but some of them re followed by a singular verb when used in expression such as …a pair of…, …a word of… .“37 (Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009, page 65), “our group think subject followed the word of there is/are.”

Problems on TOEFL 15

There is a nice house near the bridge. There was a big strom last night. There have been many pplicants coming to this office. There was enough coffee for tomorrow.

Problems on Parallel Structure

“Parallel structure is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make a good impression on your readers, especially experienced readers and writers, because the use of parallel structure is always obvious.”38 

While the following examples require just one word and are relatively easy, look for parallel structure when you read because it is used frequently among experienced writers.

1.  The children are energetic and noisy.  = adjective + adjective2.  She bought a skirt and a blouse. = noun + noun3.  He walked slowly and confidently to the witness stand.  = adverb + adverb4.  Swimming and hiking are my favorite summer activities.  = gerund + gerund

38 http://eslbee.com/parallel_structure.htm

Problems on TOEFL 16

Problems on Gerunds and Infinitives

A. Verbs Followed by Gerunds OR Infinitives (Different Meaning)

Example :39

begin

She began singing.She began to sing.When "begin" is used in non-continuous tenses, you can either use a gerund or an infinitive.

She is beginning to sing.

When "begin" is used in continuous tenses, an infinitive is used.

dreadShe dreaded taking the test.Usually "dread" is followed by a gerund.

He dreaded to think of the consequences of his actions.

"Dread" is sometimes used with infinitives such as "think" or "consider." In the sentence above, "dreaded to think" means "did not want to think."

forget

She forgot reading the book when she was a kid.When "forget" is used with a gerund, it means "to forget that you have done something." The sentence above means that she read the book when she was a kid, and that she has forgotten that fact.

She forgot to pay the rent this month.

When forget is used with an infinitive, it means "to forget that you need to do something." The sentence above means that she forgot that she needed to pay the rent.

keep

She kept talking."Keep" is normally used with a gerund to mean that you continue doing an action.

The attackers kept hostages to prevent the police from entering.

"Keep" can also be used with an object followed by an infinitive, but then the infinitive takes on the meaning of "in order to... ." In the sentence above, the attackers kept hostages in order to prevent the police from entering.

39 http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerund_or_infinitive_different_list.htm

Problems on TOEFL 17

need

The house needs cleaning.When "need" is used with a gerund, it takes on a passive meaning. The sentence above means "the house needs to be cleaned."

He needs to call his boss.He needs him to call his boss."Need" is usually used with an infinitive or an object + an infinitive.

regret

I regretted being late to the interview."Regret" is normally used with a gerund.

We regret to inform you that your position at the company is being eliminated.

"Regret" is sometimes used with infinitives such as "to inform." In the sentence above, "We regret to inform you" means "We wish we did not have to tell you (bad news)."

remember

I remember mentioning the meeting yesterday.When "remember" is used with a gerund, it means "to remember that you have done something." The sentence above means that I mentioned the meeting, and that I remember the fact that I did that.

He remembered to turn off the lights before he left.When "remember" is used with an infinitive, it means "to remember that you need to do something." The sentence above means that he remembered that he needed to turn the lights off.

start

Marge started talking really fast.Marge started to talk really fast.When "start" is used in non-continuous tenses, you can either use a gerund or an infinitive.

Marge is starting to talk really fast.When "start" is used in continuous tenses, an infinitive is used.I started to learn Russian, but it was so much work that I finally quit the class.In other situations, an infinitive means that you did not complete or continue an action.

stop

He stopped smoking for health reasons."Stop" is normally used with a gerund.

He stopped to rest for a few minutes.When "stop" is used with an infinitive, the infinitive takes on the meaning of "in order to." In the sentence above, he stopped in order to rest for a few minutes.

try She can't find a job. She tried looking in the paper, but there was nothing. She tried asking friends and family, but nobody knew of anything. She also tried going shop to shop,

She tried to climb the tree, but she couldn't even get off the ground.When you "try to do" something, you want to do it, but you do not succeed in actually doing it. In the

Problems on TOEFL 18

but nobody was hiring."Try + gerund" means to try or to experiment with different methods to see if something works.She tried eating the snake soup, but she didn't like it."Try + gerund" is often used when you experiment with something, but you do not really like it or want to do it again.

sentence above, an infinitive is used because she cannot successfully climb the tree.Try not to wake the baby when you get up tomorrow at 5 AM.An infinitive is also used if you are asking someone to try something they may or may not be able to accomplish.

http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerund_or_infinitive_different_list.htm

B. Verbs Followed by Gerunds OR Infinitives (Similar Meaning)

Example :40

can't bear

He can't bear being alone. He can't bear to be alone.

can't stand

Nancy can't stand working the late shift.

Nancy can't stand to work the late shift.

cease The government ceased providing free health care.

The government ceased to provide free health care.

continue She continued talking. She continued to talk.

hate He hates cleaning dishes. He hates to clean dishes.

like Samantha likes reading. Samantha likes to read.

love We love scuba diving. We love to scuba dive.

neglect He neglected doing his daily chores.

He neglected to do his daily chores.

prefer He prefers eating at 7 PM. He prefers to eat at 7 PM.

propose Drew proposed paying for the trip.

Drew proposed to pay for the trip.

http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerund_or_infinitive_same_list.htm

C. Gerund after prepositions (adjectives)

We use the Gerund after prepositions

adjective + preposition

Example :41

40 http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerund_or_infinitive_same_list.htm

Problems on TOEFL 19

We use the Gerund after the following phrases:

41 http://www.englisch-ilfen.de/en/grammar/gerund_prepositions_adjectives.htm

Problems on TOEFL 20

afraid of They are afraid of losing the match.angry about/at Pat is angry about walking in the rain.bad atgood at

John is good at working in the garden.

clever at He is clever at skateboarding.crazy about The girl is crazy about playing tennis.disappointed about/at

He is disappointed about seeing such a bad report.

excited about We are excited about making our own film.famous for Sandy is famous for singing songs.fed up with I'm fed up with being treated as a child.fond of Hannah is fond of going to parties.glad about She is glad about getting married again.

happy about/at The children are not happy about seeing a doctor.

interested in Are you interested in writing poems?keen on Joe is keen on drawing.proud of She is proud of riding a snowboard.sick of We're sick of sitting around like this.sorry about/for He's sorry for eating in the lesson.tired of I'm tired of waiting for you.used to She is used to smoking.worried about I'm worried about making mistakes.

http://www.englisch-ilfen.de/en/grammar/gerund_prepositions_adjectives.htm

D. Gerund after prepositions (verbs)

We use the Gerund after prepositions.

verb + preposition

Exception: to Here we use the phrase:looking forward to + Gerund

Example:I'm looking forward to seeing you soon.

We use the Gerund after the following phrases:42

accuse of They were accused of breaking into a shop.agree with I agree with playing darts.apologize for They apologize for being late.believe in She doesn't believe in getting lost in the wood.blame for The reporter is blamed for writing bad stories.complain about She complains about bullying.concentrate on Do you concentrate on reading or writing?congratulate sb. on

I wanted to congratulate you on making such a good speech.

cope with He is not sure how to cope with getting older.decide against They decided against stealing the car.depend on Success may depend on becoming more patient.dream about/of Sue dreams of being a pop star.feel like They feel like going to bed.get used to You must get used to working long hours.insist on The girls insisted on going out with Mark.

42 http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/gerund_prepositions_verbs.htm

Problems on TOEFL 21

look forward to I'm looking forward to seeing you soon.prevent sb. from sth.

How can I prevent Kate from working in this shop?

rely on sth. He doesn't rely on winning in the casino.succeed in How then can I succeed in learning chemistry?specialize in The firm specialized in designing websites.stop sb. from I stopped Andrew from smoking.talk about/of They often talk about travelling to New Zealand.think of Frank thinks of playing chess.warn sb. against We warned them against using this computer.worry about The patient worries about having the check-up.

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/gerund_prepositions_verbs.htm

Problems on Comparison

“Most adjectives that show the nature, the quantitative nature of the two words, that much and little, two adjectives and the few numbers that have many levels of comparison (comparison degrees)”43

A. The degrees of three levels of comparison1. The positive degree- ended in a vowel or two in a consonant preceded by two vowels add- er and –est 44 - when ends in a consonant or two then just add -er and -est

Example : Rich-Richer-richest

- ends in a consonant preceded by a vowel and then the last consonant is doubled and then add -er and -est1

- if there is a single consonant and vowel after the last letter is doubled and added -er and -est

Example : big-bigger-Biggest

- if it ends in e only add -r and –st 44

- when the letter finally e is added to -r and -st

Example : nice-nicer-Nicest

- ending in -y preceded by a consonant and the letter -y changed to -i and add -er and –st 44

- If the ending in the letter -y is preceded by the letter konsonant then changed to -i and add -er and -st

Example : dry-drier, driest

- ending in -y preceded by a vowel it is not replaced but immediately added -er and –est 44

- If y is preceded vowels do not need to be changed and add er and est (coy-coyer-coyest)

Example : coy-coyer-coyest

43 Baron’s, How To Prepare for TOEFL,Jakarta: Bina Rupa Aksara,200244 Arif fahrudin “Construktion and Formation In Language English page 111

Problems on TOEFL 22

2. The comparatif by adding more or -er or -r

3. The most superlative by adding -st or -est or most

B. Application1. The positive degree

-When two people or say the same thing in terms of specific properties of use to us .... us or with certain expressions mean the same thing 44

-If you compare the two the same thing as it uses as ....Formula: as + positive + us example : This boy is as handsome as ThatNo less than + positive + than example : This boy is no less Clever ThatNot more than + positive + than example: This boy is not cleverer That

2. Comparative degree

-When two people or things are not the same be said in terms of the specific

nature of the comparative degree 44

-If two things are not said whether the use of comparative degree

Formula: comparative + than example : This girl is taller than her

sister)

3. Superlative degree

When there is an object or person is said to exceed or surpass another, the use of

the superlative degree with the..... of 44

If an object or a person having higher levels compared to the others, he uses the

superlative degree with the….of example: He is the tallest of all the girls)

Problems on TOEFL 23

Problems on Personal Pronouns

“A pronoun is used in place of a noun. It refers to a noun. The noun it refers to is called the antecedent” 45

A pronouns refers to a noun

Example : I read the book. It was good it refers to the antecedent noun book

Mary said “ I drink tea” I refers to the speker, whose name is Mary

Possessive pronouns are not followed immediately by a noun, they stand alone 46

Possessive pronouns stand alone without noun

Example : That book is mine. Those are yours over there 46

Possessive adjective are followed immediately by a noun, they dont stand alone 46

Possessive adjective dont stand alone followed by a noun

Example : My book is here. Your books are over there 46

Reflexive pronouns to replace the pronoun that combines the two clauses into one 47

Reflexive pronouns to shorten sentences

Who to change person subyek

Example : This is the man who jumps from the hills

Whom to change person object

45 Understanding and using ENGLISH GRAMMAR-Supplementary grammar units page a546 Possessive nouns required apostrophes; e.g., That book is Mary’s ( see chart 5-3 ), Possessive pronouns do NOT take apostrophes

COORECT : That book is hers, and those books are theirsINCORRECT : That book is her’s and those books are theirs

47 Phillips, Deborah Longman, Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test, New York: Adisson-Weshley Publishing, 1996

Problems on TOEFL 24

Example : This is the man whom I met at the hills

Whose to change owner

Example : This is the women whose husbind jumps from the hills

Which to change matter

Example : This is the hills which we visited

SINGULAR PLURALSUBJECT PRONOUNS I

YOUSHE, HE, IT

WEYOUTHEY

OBJECT PRONOUNS MEYOU

HER, HIM, IT

USYOU

THEMPOSSESSIVE PRONOUNS MINE

YOURHERS, HIS

OURSYOURSTHEIRS

POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVE MY NAMEYOUR NAME

HER, HIS, ITS NAME

OUR NAMESYOUR NAMETHEIR NAME

Problems on Conditional Sentences

A. Conditional Sentences Type 148

Form

if + Simple Present, will-Future

Example: If I find her address, I will send her an invitation.

The main clause can also be at the beginning of the sentence. In this case, don't use a comma.

Example: I will send her an invitation if I find her address.

Note: Main clause and / or if clause might be negative. See Simple Present und will-Future on how to form negative sentences.

Example: If I don’t see him this afternoon, I will phone him in the evening.

Use

Conditional Sentences Type I refer to the future. An action in the future will only happen if a certain condition is fulfilled by that time. We don't know for sure whether the condition actually will be fulfilled or not, but the conditions seems rather realistic – so we think it is likely to happen.

Example: If I find her address, I’ll send her an invitation.

I want to send an invitation to a friend. I just have to find her address. I am quite sure, however, that I will find it.

Example: If John has the money, he will buy a Ferrari.

I know John very well and I know that he earns a lot of money and that he loves Ferraris. So I think it is very likely that sooner or later he will have the money to buy a Ferrari.

48 www.englishtutorial.com

Problems on TOEFL 25

B. Conditional Sentences Type 248

Form

if + Simple Past, main clause with Conditional I (= would + Infinitive)

Example: If I found her address, I would send her an invitation.

The main clause can also be at the beginning of the sentence. In this case, don't use a comma.

Example: I would send her an invitation if I found her address.

Note: Main clause and / or if clause might be negative. See Simple Past und Conditional I on how to form negative sentences.

Example: If I had a lot of money, I wouldn’t stay here.

Were instead of Was

In IF Clauses Type II, we usually use ‚were‘ – even if the pronoun is I, he, she or it –.

Example: If I were you, I would not do this.

Use

Conditional Sentences Type II refer to situations in the present. An action could happen if the present situation were different. I don't really expect the situation to change, however. I just imagine „what would happen if …“

Example: If I found her address, I would send her an invitation.

I would like to send an invitation to a friend. I have looked everywhere for her address, but I cannot find it. So now I think it is rather unlikely that I will eventually find her address.

Example: If John had the money, he would buy a Ferrari.

I know John very well and I know that he doesn't have much money, but he loves Ferraris. He would like to own a Ferrari (in his dreams). But I think it is very unlikely that he will have the money to buy one in the near future.

C. Conditional Sentences Type 348

Form

if + Past Perfect, main clause with Conditional II

Example: If I had found her address, I would have sent her an invitation.

The main clause can also be at the beginning of the sentence. In this case, don't use a comma.

Example: I would have sent her an invitation if I had found her address.

Note: Main clause and / or if clause might be negative. See Past Perfect and Conditional II on how to form negative sentences.

Example: If I hadn’t studied, I wouldn’t have passed my exams.

Use

Conditional Sentences Type III refer to situations in the past. An action could have happened in the past if a certain condition had been fulfilled. Things were different then, however. We just imagine, what would have happened if the situation had been fulfilled.

Problems on TOEFL 26

Example: If I had found her address, I would have sent her an invitation.

Sometime in the past, I wanted to send an invitation to a friend. I didn't find her address, however. So in the end I didn't send her an invitation.

Example: If John had had the money, he would have bought a Ferrari.

I knew John very well and I know that he never had much money, but he loved Ferraris. He would have loved to own a Ferrari, but he never had the money to buy one.

Problems on Tenses

1. Simple Present Tense

Pattern : Subject + Verb 1 +... Subject + Verb s / es +...

They / We He / She

I / You It

Example :

1. Tebe writes a letter

2. The sun rises inthe east

3. We learn english once in a week

2. Present Continous Tense

Pattern : Subject + to be ( is, am, are ) + V-ing

Example :

1. Fikki is still playing football with Tebe at the moment

2. Jane is reading a journal

3. Present Perfect Tense

Pattern : Subject + Have + Verb 3 ( past participle ) +...

Has

Example :

1. Manchester United has won many competitions in England and Europe

2. I have visited Tebe’s student housing many times

Problems on TOEFL 27

4. Present Perfect Continous Tense

Pattern : Subject + Have + Been + Verb-ing

Has

Example :

1. Ario has been studying Arabic for 6 months

2. I have been doing my homework since 6 p.m

5. Simple Past Tense49

Pattern : Subject + Verb 2 + Object + ...

Example :

1. Anton met Jane in campus yesterday

2. I saw the accident in Sawangan last week

6. Past Continous Tense

Pattern : Subject + Was + Verb-ing

Were

Example :

1. I was making some programs for computer

2. They were playing badminton in the backyard

7. Past Perfect Tense

Pattern : Subject + Had + Verb 3

Example :

1. Tebe went home after he had finshed his assignment

2. When Ario arrived, Anton had gone

8. Future Tense

Pattern : Subject + Shall / Will + Verb 1 +...

Example :

1. Our lecturer will come here soon

2. My sister will come to my house tomorrow

9. Future Continous Tense

Pattern : Subject + Shall / Will + be + V-ing

Example :

1. I will be watching the match at 7 o’clock

2. Tebe will be finishing his assignment at 10 p.m

Problems on TOEFL 28

Reference

Rumus XII IPA GO, 2008

Phillips, Deborah Longman, Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test, New York: Adisson-Weshley Publishing, 1996

Baron’s, How To Prepare for TOEFL,Jakarta: Bina Rupa Aksara,2002

Arif fahrudin “Construktion and Formation In Language English page 111

Tumijo, S.Pd., M.Hum, Drs. Slamet Riyanto, M.Pd with LTI (Language Training Institution), Pustaka Widyatma, 2009

http://www.google.com

http://www.writingcentre.uottawa.ca/hypergrammar/adjectve.htm, Written by Heather

http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-question-tag.htm

http://www.englishtutorial.com

http://http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/gerund_prepositions_verbs.htm

http://www.englisch-ilfen.de/en/grammar/gerund_prepositions_adjectives.htm

http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerund_or_infinitive_same_list.htm

http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerund_or_infinitive_different_list.htm

http://eslbee.com/parallel_structure.htm

http://www.grammaruntied.com/verbs/linking.html

http://www.1-language.com/englishcourse/unit58_grammar.htm MacFadyen

http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-question-tag.htm

Problems on TOEFL 29