GRAMMAR

In this section you will practice the grammar you need to improve your score on Part 5
and Part 6 of the TOEIC® test.

These are the exercises you will cover:

checking your knowledge of words that are

Word Choice
often confused (some/any, etc.)
choosing the correct modal verb (will/have/
Auxiliary Verbs
may, etc.)
using the comparative (quicker, more
Comparatives and
convenient, etc.) and superlative (the cheapest,
Superlatives the most interesting, etc.)
making sure the subject and the verb of a
Subject-Verb Agreement sentence match (A team of experts is working on
the problem.)
practicing the use of different pronouns (She
Pronouns
asked me to work overtime on my own.)
using the correct form of the verb and the
Verb Forms and Tenses
correct tense (We are having a meeting at 4:00 P.M.)
using the gerund (-ing form) and the infinitive
Gerunds
(with and without to)

As you work through this Grammar section, try to identify your strengths and
weaknesses. Notice what problems you have, and focus on the areas you need to
improve.
Word Choice
Study these examples of grammar that can often be confused.

There are many things we need to do. Used with countable nouns (problems,
There are few women in senior people, etc.
management.
I do not have much work at the Used with uncountable nouns (time,
moment. money, etc.
We have little control over the project.
Here are some tickets for tonight's Used in positive statements and questions.
movie.
Can I have some help, please?
I do not have any luggage. Used in negative statements and
Are there any letters for me? questions.
This is so easy, it will not take long. Used before an adjective (so heavy, so
cheap).
It is such an easy task it will not take Used before an adjective + noun (such a
long. good idea).
Do not work too hard. more than is necessary
Are there enough chairs? sufficient
We do not have enough money. less than is necessary
There is no ink in this printer. Used before nouns (no work, no food).
The printer is out of ink. There is none Used without a noun, meaning "not any"
left. or "not one.
I called two hotels. They are both Used with a noun to relate two things.
full.
Neither hotel has any vacancies.
I cannot stay at either hotel.
That is the best meal I have ever had. Used in positive statements and
Have you ever gone abroad on questions.
business?
I have never had a long vacation. Used in negative statements.
Most workers have lunch in the the majority of
cafeteria.
Of all my hobbies, I like reading the Used in superlatives.
most.
Almost all the employees have a very nearly
pension.

MINI TEST Word Choice

Choose the most appropriate answer: (A), (B), (C), or (D), to complete each sentence.

1. When I got home I was ….. tired that I fell asleep immediately.
(A) such
(B) such a
(C) so
(D) too

2. Susan looked for a place to park her car, but there were ….. spaces left.
(A) none
(B) no
(C) not
(D) nothing

3. Would you like ….. assistance with your bags?

(A) some
(B) ever
(C) little
(D) much

4. There are not ..... people to do all this work.

(A) no
(B) enough
(C) much
(D) too

5. Very ….. time is available to resolve this problem.

(A) short
(B) few
(C) less
(D) little

6. Did you take ….. photographs when you were on vacation?

(A) almost
(B) much
(C) many
(D) most

7. ….. manufacturing companies are having difficulty at the moment.

(A) The most
(B) Most
(C) Much
(D) Almost

8. James and Bill ….. started working here after high school.
(A) both
(B) either
(C) neither
(D) ever

9. We sent several e-mails, but we ….. got a reply.

(A) no
(B) never
(C) almost
(D) either

10. We do not have ….. time to waste.

(A) no
(B) few
(C) little
(D) any

1. A B C D 4. A B C D 7. A B C D 9. A B C D
2. A B C D 5. A B C D 8. A B C D 10. A B C D
3. A B C D 6. A B C D Score …../10

Auxiliary Verbs
Study these examples of modal auxiliary verbs.

I can/could work overtime if you want. making an offer

May/Can I come in? asking for permission
Phil can speak Japanese, but he cannot present ability/inability
write it. past ability/inability
My previous secretary could type quickly,
but she could not use spreadsheets.
Will/Can/Could you help me with this making a request
report, please?
You have not eaten all day? You must be deduction
hungry. deduction in the past
That is Susan's car. She must have arrived
already.
Mr. Hershaw may/might/could know the possibility
answer. possibility in the past
I might have left my keys in the car.
They are charging $300 an hour. That certainty
cannot be right. certainty in the past
Julie was away last week so she could not
have heard the news.
You can use this office, but you cannot permission
smoke in here.
I must finish this work today. obligation
You must not park in front of the fire
escape.
You should go home if you are not feeling advice
well.
You should not have worked so late last advice in the past
night.
Employees should always arrive on time. responsibility
You should not have any trouble finding expectation
us. We are next to the station.
My tooth really hurts. I will have to go to necessary
the dentist. not necessary
You do not have to come in to work
tomorrow.

MINI TEST Auxiliary Verbs

Choose the most appropriate answer: (A), (B), (C), or (D), to complete each sentence.

1. Visitors ….. sit in Row G because those seats are reserved.

(A) could not
(B) cannot
(C) do not have to
(D) might not

2. This project is very important, so we ….. try our best to make it a success.
(A) can
(B) must have
(C) may
(D) have to

3. Excuse me. ….. you open the door for me, please?
(A) Could
(B) Must
(C) May
(D) Should

4. You ….. checked the details more thoroughly before you signed the agreement.
(A) must have
(B) had to have
(C) may have
(D) should have

5. In my last job I ….. have to wear a suit.

(A) must not
(B) should not
(C) did not
(D) could not

6. Donald ….. called as there are no messages on my answer phone.

(A) must be
(B) could not have
(C) had to
(D) should not

7. If you get some professional advice you ….. be able to save the company.
(A) must have
(B) have to
(C) can
(D) might

8. Meeting Room C is the only room that ….. hold sixty people.
(A) should
(B) can
(C) must
(D) has to

9. We ….. try to get to this afternoon's meeting early as we need to set up the
projector.
(A) must
(B) would
(C) cannot
(D) need

10. The store had so many computers I ….. not decide which one to buy.
(A) would
(B) could
(C) should
(D) might

1. A B C D 4. A B C D 7. A B C D 9. A B C D
2. A B C D 5. A B C D 8. A B C D 10. A B C D
3. A B C D 6. A B C D Score …../10
Comparatives and Superlatives
Study these examples of the comparative and superlative form.

Liz works harder than anyone else in
the office.
She is the hardest worker we have.
I was happier when I worked as a
teacher.
Teaching was the happiest time of my
life.
Mumbai is more crowded than Tokyo.
It is the most crowded city in the
world.
The sales figures are better than I
expected.
They are the best figures we have had
all year.
That trip was less expensive than I
thought.
That is the least expensive trip I have
ever taken.
Angela earns as much as me.
Her salary is the same as mine.
Adjectives with one syllable
old / older (than) / the oldest
big / bigger (than) / the biggest
long / longer (than) / the longest
Adjectives ending in -y
easy / easier (than) / the easiest
lucky / luckier (than) / the luckiest
angry / angrier (than) / the angriest
Most adjectives with two or more
syllables
painful / more painful (than) / the most
painful
famous / more famous (than) / the most
famous
expensive / more expensive (than) / the
most expensive
Irregular adjectives
good /better / best
bad / worse I worst
more...than / less...than
the most / the least
(just) as... as
the same as

MINI TEST Comparatives and Superlatives

Choose the most appropriate answer: (A), (B), (C), or (D), to complete each sentence.
1. This crisis is ….. the company has ever faced.
(A) so serious that
(B) the most serious
(C) most serious
(D) more serious than

2. That hotel room was not ….. the one I had last time.
(A) as comfortable than
(B) as comfortable as
(C) more comfortable
(D) most comfortable

3. The new director seems to be ….. than his predecessor.

(A) more interested
(B) as interested
(C) most interested
(D) the most interested

4. I prefer to bring sandwiches to work because it is ….. eating out.

(A) less expensive
(B) the least expensive
(C) less expensive than
(D) as expensive

5. The new building is ... than the one we were in before.

(A) more modern
(B) modern
(C) as modern
(D) the most modern

6. My office looks onto the street so it is not ….. yours.

(A) quiet than
(B) more quiet
(C) as quiet as
(D) the quietest

7. If you feel ….. tomorrow than you do today, you should take the day off.
(A) as worse
(B) bad
(C) worst
(D) worse

8. We should choose whichever option is ….. difficult.

(A) the least
(B) the less than
(C) as less than
(D) as little

9. The new copy machine is just ….. the old one.

(A) unreliable than
(B) as unreliable as
(C) more unreliable than
(D) unreliable as

10. I wish I lived ….. to work.

(A) more near
(B) nearer than
(C) as near as
(D) nearer
1. A B C D 4. A B C D 7. A B C D 9. A B C D
2. A B C D 5. A B C D 8. A B C D 10. A B C D
3. A B C D 6. A B C D Score …../10

Subject-Verb Agreement
Study these examples of subject-verb agreement.

The Director has an office on the top floor. A singular subject takes a singular verb form.
All employees have health insurance. A plural subject takes a plural verb form.
The manager, who is very well liked, is The subject and verb must always agree,
retiring. even when separated,
Many of the projects I started last year are
now completed.
Two miles is the most I can run without Distance, time, price, and weight are all
stopping. singular subjects.
Forty minutes is enough time to get to the
station.
Twenty dollars is the ticket price per
person.
Sixty pounds is more than I can lift.
Everyone is very excited about the Every, everyone, nobody, each, one of, etc.,
expansion. Each of these problems has a are all singular subjects.
solution.
A number of issues were raised at the A group of, a number of, a couple of, a lot of,
meeting. etc., are usually used with plural verbs.
A group of scientists have made an
important discovery.
The number of complaints has increased. The group of, the number of, the team of,
The use of cell phones is prohibited. etc., (i.e., with the definite article) are usually
used with singular verbs.
The United States is a major investor in The names of countries, subjects, newspapers,
the region. books, films, etc., are all singular subjects.
Math is not my strong point.
The New York Times reports record growth
in imports.
News of the merger was well received. Some collective nouns use only singular
How much money is in our savings verbs.
account?
All the people I work with are very Some collective nouns use only plural verbs.
helpful.
The police were investigating the company
for fraud.
The committee is going to meet next In American English, the following collective
month. The audience was enjoying the nouns are usually treated as singular:
presentation, committee, audience, class, company, crowd, family,
government, school.
MINI TEST Subject-Verb Agreement
Choose the most appropriate answer: (A), (B), (C), or (D), to complete each sentence.
1. Bates Bicycles ….. been here for over thirty years.
(A) has
(B) have
(C) are
(D) was

2. The team of scientists from Geneva ….. arriving tonight.

(A) are
(B) is
(C) will
(D) be

3. One of the senior managers ….. dismissed for misconduct last week.
(A) were
(B) has
(C) is
(D) was

4. My favorite kind of program to watch on television ….. sports.

(A) are
(B) be
(C) is
(D) has

5. Over $30,000 ….. taken during the robbery.

(A) has
(B) had
(C) was
(D) were

6. A number of engineers ….. trying to fix the problem.

(A) am
(B) be
(C) is
(D) are

7. The best place to go for a short vacation ….. Singapore.

(A) be
(B) has
(C) is
(D) are

8. Do you think that two hours ….. enough to complete all this work?
(A) are
(B) is
(C) have
(D) be

9. Nobody ….. expecting the sales figures to be so high.

(A) were
(B) was
(C) had
(D) could

10. We are pleased to announce that our latest restaurant, The Three Chefs, ….. to
open next month.
(A) is
(B) are
(C) will
(D) have

1. A B C D 4. A B C D 7. A B C D 9. A B C D
2. A B C D 5. A B C D 8. A B C D 10. A B C D
3. A B C D 6. A B C D Score …../10
Pronouns
Study these examples of the correct use of pronouns.

I was an account manager at BMI Subject pronouns

Industries for three years. I, you, he, she, it, we, they
Mr. Saito always has coffee when he gets to
work.
Many employees were upset because they
did not get a bonus.
Please give me a call first thing tomorrow Object pronouns
morning. me, you, him, her, it, us, them
I will give her the message soon.
The visitors were disappointed nobody
greeted them at reception.
I believe this pen is yours. Possessive pronouns
The decision to cancel the order was not mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs
ours.
I met Mike and Tim. Aren't you a friend of
theirs?
Max called and left a message on my Possessive adjectives
voicemail. my, your, his, her, its, our, their
Where is Diane? I think this is her coat. (often tested in the TOEIC test alongside
Please visit our showroom for a possessive pronouns)
demonstration. Remember, possessive adjectives modify the
noun (It is my coat). Possessive pronouns
replace the noun (it's mine).
I think I will do the marketing report Reflexive pronouns
myself. myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself,
Please help yourselves to more tea and ourselves, yourselves, themselves
coffee.
We usually do our tax return ourselves.

MINI TEST Pronouns

Choose the most appropriate answer: (A), (B), (C) or (D), to complete each sentence.
1. Everything I know about computers I taught ….. .
(A) I
(B) me
(C) mine
(D) myself

2. That coffee mug is not ….., so please do not use it.

(A) you
(B) your
(C) yours
(D) yourself
3. I would like to welcome you all to ….. new headquarters.
(A) our
(B) ours
(C) us
(D) we

4. Please take good care of Mr. Lee because ….. is our best customer.
(A) he
(B) him
(C) his
(D) himself

5. Passengers are advised to check ….. route before traveling.

(A) they
(B) them
(C) their
(D) theirs

6. We will send ….. an application form shortly.

(A) you
(B) your
(C) yours
(D) yourself

7. Nobody asked ….. for identification at the security gate.

(A) ourselves
(B) us
(C) we
(D) our

8. Ms. Howe decided to tell ….. boss she wanted to leave the company.
(A) she
(B) herself
(C) hers
(D) her

9. Be careful moving that desk, Paul, or you might hurt ….. .

(A) your
(B) yours
(C) yourself
(D) you

10. This company rewards ….. employees for good performance.

(A) them
(B) its
(C) theirs
(D) itself

1. A B C D 4. A B C D 7. A B C D 9. A B C D
2. A B C D 5. A B C D 8. A B C D 10. A B C D
3. A B C D 6. A B C D Score …../10
Verb Forms and Tenses
Study these examples of different tenses and their forms.

We always have a staff meeting every Present simple

Friday at 4:00 P.M.
What time do you usually get home
from work?
The train does not leave until five
o'clock.
Michael speaks Spanish and Italian.
Susan is having lunch at the moment.
Why are you advertising for new staff? Used for things that are happening right
I am not attending the conference next now or around now, or future planned
week, because it is canceled.
Andrew has worked for that company
for ten years.
We have not exported to the European
Union before.
The mayor has just resigned.
We delivered the parts to the customer
last week.
Did you stay in the Grand Hotel?
I did not go to the party because I felt etc.).
sick.
They were talking about the new
design for hours.
Wasn't anyone waiting for you when
you arrived?
Sam was typing a report when his
computer crashed.
When we arrived, the meeting had
already started.
Although I had not given a presentation another action in the past.
before, I did not feel nervous.
Are you going to take a vacation this
Used for routines, habits, planned events,
and things that are always true.
Look for adverbs of frequency (always,
usually, etc.) and time markers (every day,
once a week, etc.).
Present continuous
events.
Look for adverbs and time markers (at the
moment, right now, still, etc.).
Remember, stative verbs (e.g. know,
believe, see, hear) and verbs of emotion
(like, want, prefer, etc.) do not use the
continuous form.
Present perfect
Used for things that have started but not
finished, general experience, or things
that happened very recently.
Look for time markers (already yet, just,
etc.).
Remember, for = a period of time (for
three years), since = a point of time
(since 2011).
Past simple
Used for things that finished in the past.
Look for time markers (already, yet, just,
Remember, some verbs have irregular
past forms (go-went, know-knew, etc.).
Past continuous
Used for things that were in progress in
the past, or that were interrupted in the
past.
Past perfect
Used for things that happened before
Future forms
year? Use going to for intentions or for plans
I'll help you with that bag. made earlier.
Use will/will not for decisions made at
the time of speaking.
Look for time markers (next, tomorrow,
etc.).

MINI TEST Verb Forms and Tenses

Choose the most appropriate answer: (A), (B), (C) or (D), to complete each sentence.
1. We ….. coffee when the new Vice President came into the office.
(A) have
(B) were having
(C) will have
(D) have had

2. What time is Mrs. Ono …..?

(A) will come
(B) going come
(C) come
(D) coming

3. Sorry, James is not here. I think he ….. ten minutes ago.

(A) left
(B) had left
(C) was leaving
(D) has left

4. Mr. Denny called to say the package you sent ….. arrived yet.
(A) was not
(B) did not
(C) has not
(D) is not

5. Where ….. next month's sales meeting going to take place?

(A) will
(B) is
(C) has
(D) did

6. What ….. you arguing about with Peter just now?

(A) have
(B) did
(C) were
(D) are

7. Brendon ….. work until late last night.

(A) did not finish
(B) had not finished
(C) has not finished
(D) will not finish

8. I ….. that the new rescue plan will work.

(A) am doubting
(B) will doubt
(C) doubt
(D) was doubting

9. It was the first time the creative team ….. since January, so there was a lot to
discuss.
(A) meets
(B) is meeting
(C) had met
(D) will meet

10. It is definitely true that we ….. a period of great uncertainty at the moment.
(A) experience
(B) are going to experience
(C) have experienced
(D) are experiencing

1. A B C D 4. A B C D 7. A B C D 9. A B C D
2. A B C D 5. A B C D 8. A B C D 10. A B C D
3. A B C D 6. A B C D Score …../10

Gerunds and Infinitives

Study these examples of gerunds and infinitives.
Smoking is not permitted in this office.
Experts agree that swimming relieves
stress.
I recommend buying this stock as soon
as possible.
Kim never travels by plane because he is after certain adjectives + prepositions
afraid of flying.
Why did you choose to cancel the
order?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to
change the date of your next
appointment.
The security guard wouldn't allow us to after certain verbs that take an object
enter the building without a ticket.
I have called this meeting to discuss
our training program.
Please let me show you to your room.
George and Kylie do not like to work
on weekends.
I like working on weekends.
Janet remembered to send the invoice.
(The action happened after she
remembered.)
Janet remembered sending the
invoice.
(The action happened before she
remembered.)
MINI TEST Gerunds and Infinitives
Gerund
as the subject of a sentence
as the object of a sentence
after certain verbs (e.g. admit, adore,
appreciate, avoid, delay, deny, dislike,
enjoy, feel, finish, imagine, involve, justify,
keep (on), mention, mind, miss, postpone,
practice, quit, recommend,
risk, suggest, waste)
(e.g., interested in, good/bad at, angry
about, etc.)
Infinitive
after certain verbs (e.g. agree, arrange,
attempt, choose, dare, decide, expect,
help, hope, intend, learn, manage, need,
offer, plan, pretend, promise, refuse,
seem, want)
after certain adjectives (e.g. difficult,
easy, happy, pleased, possible)
with to
(e.g. advise, allow, beg, expect, forbid,
help, tell, want, warn)
to express a purpose
after certain verbs that take an object
without to (e.g., let, make)
Some verbs take either the gerund or the
infinitive with no significant difference in
meaning (e.g. begin, continue, hate, like,
love, prefer, start).
Some verbs take either the gerund or the
infinitive but the meanings are different
(e.g., forget, regret, remember, stop, try).
Choose the most appropriate answer: (A), (B), (C), or (D), to complete each sentence.

1. All employees are forbidden ….. jeans at work.

(A) wear
(B) wearing
(C) to wear
(D) wore

2. Do you mind ….. while I get the manager?

(A) waiting
(B) wait
(C) to wait
(D) you wait

3. We must stop ….. money on ineffective advertising.

(A) waste
(B) to waste
(C) wasting
(D) wasted

4. ….. personal calls at work is allowed during breaks.

(A) To make
(B) Making
(C) They make
(D) Made

5. Rita suggested ….. out for a meal after work on Friday.

(A) go
(B) will go
(C) to go
(D) going

6. Do you agree that ….. sales is the key to success?

(A) increase
(B) increasing
(C) to increase
(D) increasingly

7. The new president is very good at ….. the staff.

(A) motivating
(B) motivate
(C) motivates
(D) motivation

8. I have never regretted ….. my own company.

(A) to start
(B) having started
(C) starting
(D) I had started

9. The shift supervisor made us ….. harder, but we earned more.

(A) working
(B) work
(C) to work
(D) worked

10. How can we justify ….. so much money on travel?

(A) to spend
(B) spending
(C) they spend
(D) spend

1. A B C D 4. A B C D 7. A B C D 9. A B C D
2. A B C D 5. A B C D 8. A B C D 10. A B C D
3. A B C D 6. A B C D Score …../10

Common Grammar "Traps" in the TOEIC® Test

Here are some of the most common grammar "traps" that are used in the TOEIC test.

Are you preferring to go by bus or take a Stative verbs cannot be used in the
taxi? continuous form.
Do you prefer to go by bus or take a taxi?
We do not have no time to watch TV. Avoid double negatives.
We do not have any time to watch TV.
They asked me to wait by themselves. Make sure pronouns agree.
They asked me to wait by myself.
Our Europe sales have fallen this year. Adjectives modify nouns.
Our European sales have fallen this year.
I did not work enough hard to pass the Be careful of word order.
exam.
I did not work hard enough to pass the
exam.
She asked me how long had I worked Indirect questions do not use inversion.
for DNG Corp.
She asked me how long I had worked for
DNG Corp.
The accident was happened while Intransitive verbs cannot be used in the
workers were leaving the factory. passive form.
The accident happened while workers
were leaving the factory.
Everyone was very boring by the long Be careful of participles that end in -ed
presentation. and -ing.
Everyone was very bored by the long
presentation.
The report who Daniel sent was very Check the use of relative pronouns (who,
thorough. which, that, etc.).
The report which Daniel sent was very
thorough.
Brigit works hard, so she never leaves Make sure adverbs are used correctly.
work late.
Brigit works hard, so she often leaves
work late.
I will call you when the client will arrive. The present simple tense can be used for
I will call you when the client arrives. future time after when, while, after,
before, as soon as, until.