i`m Clarissa: STRUCTURE TOEFL

STRUCTURE TOEFL

The main points in the TOEFL Structure that should be considered in the groups by way of finding out where the Subject, Verb, Object, and Adverb. Of the four, the most important is to be known as Subject and Verb, because it eliminates most of the TOEFL Subject and verb of the sentence to be analyzed or ask questions.

1. INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

Somebody	Someone	Something
Anybody	Anyone	Anything
Nobody	No one	Nothing
Everybody	Everyone	Everything

· We use indefinite pronouns to refer to people or things without saying exactly who or what they are. We use pronouns ending in -body or -one for people, and pronouns ending in -thing for things:

Example: Everybody enjoyed the concert.

· We use a singular verb after an indefinite pronoun:

Example: Everybody loves Sally.

· When we refer back to an indefinite pronoun we normally use a plural pronoun:

Example: Everybody enjoyed the concert. They stood up and clapped.

· We can add -'s to an indefinite pronoun to make a possessive.

Example: They were staying in somebody’s house.

· We use indefinite pronouns with no- as the subject in negative clauses (not pronouns with any.)

Example: Anybody didn’t come >> Nobody came.

· We do not use another negative in a clause with nobody, no one or nothing:

Example: Nothing happened.

2. GERUND

· A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing." The gerund form of the verb "read" is "reading." You can use a gerund as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence.

Examples: Reading helps you learn English.

· Infinitives are the "to" form of the verb. The infinitive form of "learn" is "to learn." You can also use an infinitive as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence.

Examples: To learn is important.

· Both gerunds and infinitives can be used as the subject or the complement of a sentence. However, as subjects or complements, gerunds usually sound more like normal, spoken English, whereas infinitives sound more abstract. In the following sentences, gerunds sound more natural and would be more common in everyday English. Infinitives emphasize the possibility or potential for something and sound more philosophical. If this sounds confusing, just remember that 90% of the time, you will use a gerund as the subject or complement of a sentence.

Examples: Learning is important.

· As the object of a sentence, it is more difficult to choose between a gerund or an infinitive. In such situations, gerunds and infinitives are not normally interchangeable. Usually, the main verb in the sentence determines whether you use a gerund or an infinitive.

Examples: He enjoys swimming.

· Some verbs are followed by gerunds as objects. List of Verbs Followed by Gerunds

Examples: She suggested going to a movie.

· Some verbs are followed by infinitives. List of Verbs Followed by Infinitives

Examples: She wants to go to a movie.

3. VERBS AND PREPOSITION

Prepositional verbs are a group of multi-word verbs made from a verb plus another word or words. Many people refer to all multi-word verbs as phrasal verbs. Prepositional verbs are made of:

verb + preposition

Because a preposition always has an object, all prepositional verbs have direct objects.

Here are some other verbs with their dependent prepositions.

· Verbs with ‘for’

Example: He apologised for being late. You can also ‘apologise to someone’

· With ‘from’

Example: This spray should protect you from mosquitoes.

· With ‘in’

Example: She believes in ghosts.

· With ‘of’

Example: I don’t approve of your language, young man.

· With ‘on’

Example: The film is based on the novel by Boris Pasternak.

· With ‘to’

Example: Nobody responded to my complaint.

· With ‘with’

Example: I agree with everything you’ve said.

4. WILL AND TO BE GOING TO

A very confusing concept is when to use WILL and when to use BE GOING TO when we refer the future. Both refer to the future but there is a slight difference but in most cases they can be used interchangeably with no difference in meaning. Even if you misuse them, a native speaker is going to understand you without any problems.

A. WILL

(+) SUBJECT + WILL + VERB-1

(-) SUBJECT + WILL + NOT + VERB-1

(?) WILL + SUBJECT + VERB-1?

· To give or ask for information or facts about the future.

Example: Her parents will be here in about an hour.

· To make predictions about the future.

Example: I think it will rain tomorrow.

· To make predictions about the present.

Example: Don't phone her now, she'll be busy.

· To offer to do something.

Example: I'll take you to the airport tomorrow.

· To agree to do something.

Example: Okay, I'll come with you.

· To promise to do something.

Example: I promise I won't tell anyone you broke the window.

· To make requests (or give orders).

Example: Will you open the door for me please?

· To refuse to do something or talk about refusals.

Example: No, I won't cook your dinner, you can cook it yourself.

B. BE GOING TO

(+) SUBJECT + TO BE + GOING TO + VERB-1

(-) SUBJECT + TO BE + NOT + GOING TO + VERB-1

(?) TO BE + SUBJECT + GOING TO + VERB-1?

· For plans or decisions made before speaking.

Example: Is John coming home soon? - Yes, I'm going to meet him at the airport tomorrow.

· To make predictions about the future based on present evidence.

Example: Germany have just scored. England are going to loseagain.

5. SO, NEITHER

A. SO

SO is used to show agreement with positive statements.

SO + Auxiliary + Subject (pronoun)

Example: A: They have finished their homework

B: So I have

B. NEITHER

Neither is used to show agreement with negative statements.

Neither + Auxiliary + Subject (pronoun)

The Auxiliary needs to agree with the verb tense in the original statement.

It is similar to using either at the end of a sentence, although Neither is more commonly used, especially in spoken English.

Example: A: I don't understand Spanish.
B: Neither do I. (= I don't understand Spanish either.)

6. TENSES

A. SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

(+) S + to be 1(am, is, are) + Adj / Noun / Adverb

(-) S + to be 1 + not + ANA

(?) To be 1 + S + ANA ?

EXAMPLE:

(+) My father goes to post office.

(-) My father does not go to post office.

(?) Does your father go to post office?

B. PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE

(+) subject + to be (am, is, are) + Verb – ing + object

(-) subject + to be + not + verb – ing + object

(?) to be + subject + verb – ing + object

EXAMPLE:

(+) I am watching TV now

(-) Mr. Khanafi isn’t going to Jakarta

(?) Is Mrs. Annisa cooking in the kitchen ?

C. PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

( + )- Subject + has/have + been + object
- Subject + has/have + Verb III + object

( – ) - Subject + has / have + not + been + object
- Subject +has / have + not + verb III + object

( ? )- Have / has + Subject + verb III + object
- Have / has + subject + been + object

EXAMPLE:

(+) - You have seen that movie many times
- There have been many earthquakes in California

(-) - People have not traveled to the moon
- He has not been here since morning

(?) - Have you read the book yet?

- Has there ever been a war in the United States?

D. SIMPLE PAST TENSE

(+) - Subject + was/were + complement (pelengkap)
- Subject + Verb II + Object

(-) - Subject + to be (was/were) + not + complement
- Subject + did not + Verb I + Object

( ? ) - Did + Subject + Verb I + Object + ?

EXAMPLE:

(+) - I saw a movie yesterday

- Last year, Daniel was here

(-) - I did not see him yesterday

- She was not here yesterday

(?) - Did you play football yesterday ?

E. PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE
(+) Subject + to be (was/were) + verb-ing + object
(-)Subject + was/were + not + verb-ing + object
(?) was/were + subject + verb-ing + object ?

EXAMPLE:
(+)He was sleeping when I came
(-)He was not sleeping when I came
(?)Was he sleeping when I came ?

F. PAST PERFECT
(+)Subject + had + verb III + (past participle) + object
(-)Subject + had + not + verb III + object
(?)Had + subject + verb III + object ?

EXAMPLE:
(+)They had been here before 1945
(-)They had not been here before 1945
(?)Had they been here before 1945 ?

7. QUESTION TAG

Question tags are questions tailed whose function is to reinforce a statement. Could be interpreted as a “right?”

S + V1 + O, AUXILIARY NOT + S?

S + AUXILIARY NOT + V + O, AUXILIARY + S?

EXAMPLE: They played football on Sundays, didn`t they?

8. CONJUCTION

BESIDES = STILL AND YET

HOWEVER = THOUGH/ ALTHOUGH, IN SPITE OF/DESPITE

OTHERWISE = FOR, BECAUSE, SINCE

SO = AS/ WHEN/ WHILE

THEREFOR = WHEREAS

EXAMPLE: If a man should challenge me to a duel, i would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quite place to kill him