What is the fee of registering for the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

Applicants who choose to take the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition must pay an amount of INR 16,900 for registering, which is the same for TOEFL iBT.

How many times is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition conducted in a month?

The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition is offered once or twice every month.

As the TOEFL iBT exam is conducted in two sessions, do I have to book two dates or one?

You need to schedule two appointments when you register: one at your neighbourhood testing facility and the other at your house.

In some places, why is the duration of the first session of TOEFL iBT Paper Edition written as three and half hours? What is the actual duration?

The test duration at a centre is three hours. An additional thirty minutes is allocated for test administration tasks, such as admitting examinees, allowing them to input identifying information, and managing test materials.

Are there any special requirements for the Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

As the Speaking section is conducted from home, please ensure that you have the required setup for both the equipment and environment before registering. You will get the details from the official website.

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Essential Grammar Rules and Tips for TOEFL Exam

Essential Grammar Rules and Tips for TOEFL iBT® Exam

Smruti Das

5 min read

Updated On February 21, 2025

"Learn key grammar rules for the TOEFL exam, avoid common mistakes, and improve accuracy in all sections. Get practical tips to enhance your English skills."

Key Highlights

Essential Grammar Rules for the TOEFL Exam
Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid for the TOEFL Exam
Top 5 Tips for Improving Grammar for TOEFL

Grammar plays a key role in the TOEFL exam, affecting performance in reading, listening, speaking, and writing. A strong grasp of grammar helps construct clear and accurate sentences, improving communication skills and test scores. Understanding Essential Grammar Rules and Tips for TOEFL Exam will help you avoid common mistakes and express ideas effectively. This guide covers fundamental rules, practical examples, and expert tips to strengthen your grammar. Whether you're just starting or refining your skills, these strategies will support your TOEFL iBT® preparation and boost your confidence.

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Essential Grammar Rules for the TOEFL Exam

Here are the Essential Grammar Rules and Tips for TOEFL Exam to help you write and speak clearly. Mastering these rules will improve accuracy and boost your TOEFL score:

Parts of Speech	Description
Subject-Verb Agreement	Ensure that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number (singular or plural). For example, "She writes" (singular) vs. "They write" (plural).
Tenses	Understanding and correctly using the different tenses (past, present, future) is essential. Be consistent with tense usage to convey the correct time frame of actions. For example, "I studied yesterday" (past) vs. "I study every day" (present).
Articles (a, an, the)	Use "a" and "an" for non-specific singular nouns, and "the" for specific nouns. For example, "a book" vs. "the book on the table."
Pronouns and Antecedents	Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number, gender, and person. For example, "Everyone brought their book" should be "Everyone brought his or her book."
Sentence Structure	Familiarise yourself with simple, compound, and complex sentences. Ensure each sentence has a subject and a predicate. For example, "She reads" (simple), "She reads, and he writes" (compound), "Although she reads, he writes" (complex).
Passive Voice	Understand when to use passive voice to emphasise the action rather than the subject. For example, "The book was read by her" (passive) vs. "She read the book" (active).
Conditional Sentences	Master the different types of conditional sentences (zero, first, second, third, and mixed conditionals) to discuss possibilities, hypothetical situations, and their consequences. For example, "If it rains, we will stay indoors" (first conditional).
Modals	Use modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would) to express ability, possibility, permission, and obligation. For example, "You must study hard" vs. "You can go now."
Parallel Structure	Ensure consistency in lists and comparisons by using the same grammatical form. For example, "She likes hiking, swimming, and biking" (parallel) vs. "She likes hiking, to swim, and biking" (not parallel).

Also Check: TOEFL iBT® Reading Tips: How to Read Complex & Long Sentences

Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid for the TOEFL Exam

Here are the Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid for the TOEFL Exam that can affect your score. Understanding these errors will help you write and speak more accurately:

1. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

One of the most common mistakes is the mismatch between subjects and verbs. Ensure that singular subjects are paired with singular verbs and plural subjects with plural verbs.

Incorrect: The list of items are on the desk.

Correct: The list of items is on the desk.

2. Incorrect Tense Usage

Using the wrong tense can confuse the timeline of your actions or events. Be consistent with your tenses and ensure they match the context.

Incorrect: She has went to the store.

Correct: She has gone to the store.

3. Pronoun-Antecedent Disagreement

Pronouns must agree with the nouns they replace in both number and gender. This helps in maintaining clarity and coherence.

Incorrect: Each of the students must bring their book.

Correct: Each of the students must bring his or her book.

Check out - 10 Useful Topics to Practice TOEFL English Speaking Skills

4. Sentence Fragments

A complete sentence must have at least one independent clause. Avoid fragments by ensuring every sentence has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

Incorrect: While I was walking to the store.

Correct: While I was walking to the store, I saw a friend.

5. Incorrect Use of Prepositions

Prepositions can be confusing, but using the correct one is essential for clarity. Practice common prepositional phrases and their usage.

Incorrect: She is good in English.

Correct: She is good at English.

6. Misplaced Modifiers

Modifiers should be placed next to the words they are meant to describe. Misplacing them can lead to awkward or confusing sentences.

Incorrect: She almost drove her kids to school every day.

Correct: She drove her kids to school almost every day.

7. Lack of Parallel Structure

In lists or comparisons, ensure all items follow the same grammatical pattern. This makes your writing clearer and more elegant.

Incorrect: She likes reading, to swim, and jogging.

Correct: She likes reading, swimming, and jogging.

Also Check: Simple Present Tense: Definition, Structure, and Uses

Top 5 Tips for Improving Grammar for TOEFL

Here are the Top 5 Tips for Improving Grammar for TOEFL to help you strengthen your language skills. Following these tips will enhance accuracy and boost your TOEFL score:

1. Read Extensively

Reading a wide range of materials, such as books, newspapers, etc., exposes you to proper grammar usage in various contexts. Pay attention to sentence structures, verb tenses, and punctuation. By observing how experienced writers construct sentences, you can internalise these patterns and apply them in your writing and speaking.

2. Write Regularly

Practice writing essays, journal entries, or summaries regularly. This helps reinforce grammar rules and improves your ability to use them correctly. After writing, review your work to identify and correct any grammatical errors.

3. Engage in Grammar Exercises and Quizzes

Online resources offer a plethora of grammar exercises and quizzes tailored for TOEFL preparation. These exercises help you identify common mistakes and reinforce your understanding of grammar rules. Dedicate time each day to complete a few exercises, focusing on different aspects of grammar.

4. Seek Feedback from Native Speakers or Teachers

Engaging in conversations with native English speakers or seeking feedback from teachers can provide valuable insights into your grammar usage. They can correct your mistakes, explain complex rules, and offer tips for improvement.

5. Use Grammar-Check Tools

Leverage technology to improve your grammar skills. Online grammar checker tools can help identify errors and suggest corrections. These tools provide explanations for the corrections, helping you understand the rules behind them. While these tools are helpful, remember to learn from the corrections and avoid over-reliance.

I hope this blog on Essential Grammar Rules and Tips for TOEFL Exam was helpful in improving your understanding of key grammar concepts. Keep practicing to enhance your accuracy in writing and speaking. Stay updated with the latest TOEFL resources for continued learning.

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