Grammar for accuracy: the errors that cost points

By the end you’ll be able to

Use tense and aspect accurately and consistently (present perfect or past simple, continuous forms, future forms)

Apply the rules for articles, determiners and countable and uncountable nouns in context

Keep subject–verb agreement with long subjects, relative clauses and quantifiers

Use common dependent prepositions and verb patterns (-ing form or to-infinitive)

Write complete, correctly punctuated sentences with no run-ons, comma splices or fragments

What the exam asks

The updated TOEFL iBT tests grammar in two ways:

Directly, when you must produce correct language fast.
- Build a Sentence rewards exact word order and complete grammar.
- Listen and Repeat rewards accurate reproduction of verb forms, articles, endings, and sentence rhythm.
- Write an Email and Write for an Academic Discussion reward clear, accurate sentences under time pressure.
- Take an Interview rewards spoken accuracy that is natural and easy to follow.
Indirectly, when grammar helps you identify the answer.
- In Complete the Words, the gap is often solved by tense, agreement, article use, or a fixed preposition.

To reach top bands, you do not need “fancy grammar.” You need reliable control of common grammar with very few distracting errors.

The main tested contrasts are these:

Meaning	Common choice	Example
finished past time	past simple	I submitted the form yesterday.
past action with present result / life experience	present perfect	I have submitted the form already.
action in progress around a time	continuous	I was studying when she called.
planned or intended future	be going to / present continuous	I’m going to join the workshop. / I’m meeting my advisor tomorrow.
prediction / instant decision	will	I’ll send it tonight.

Use this quick test:

Type	Rule	Example
singular countable noun	usually needs a determiner	a course, the professor, my idea
plural countable noun	can be general with no article	Students need feedback.
uncountable noun	no a/an	information, advice, research
specific reference	often the	the email you sent
first mention, non-specific	often a/an	I joined a club.

Pattern	Correct agreement
subject + of phrase	A series of talks is
relative clause in the middle	The student who lives next door works
each/every	singular: Each of the options has
a number of	plural: A number of students are
the number of	singular: The number of students is

Pattern	Example
depend on	It depends on the schedule.
interested in	I’m interested in biology.
apply for	She applied for the scholarship.
responsible for	He is responsible for the budget.
agree with a person / agree on an idea	I agree with Maya on the main point.

Pattern	Example
verb + to-infinitive	hope to join, need to leave, decide to wait
verb + -ing	avoid taking, suggest using, enjoy reading
preposition + -ing	by studying, after completing, without missing

A very common high-frequency trap is: