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1.     S + V+ too + adj/adv + (for someone) + to do something 

(quá....để cho ai làm gì...), e.g.1 This structure is too easy for 

you to remember. E.g.2: He ran too fast for me to follow.

2.     S + V + so + adj/ adv + that +S + V (quá... đến nỗi mà...), 

e.g.1: This box is so heavy that I cannot take it. E.g2: He 

speaks so soft that we can’t hear anything.

3.     It + V + such + (a/an) + N(s) + that + S +V (quá... đến nỗi 

mà...),   e.g.1:   It   is   such   a   heavy   box   that   I   cannot   take   it. 

E.g.2: It is such interesting books that I cannot ignore them at 

all.

4.     S + V + adj/ adv + enough + (for someone) + to do 

something.   (Đủ...   cho   ai   đó   làm   gì...),   e.g.1:   She   is   old 

enough to get married. E.g.2: They are intelligent enough for 

me to teach them English.

5.     Have/ get + something + done (VpII)  (nhờ ai hoặc thuê ai 

làm gì...), e.g.1: I had my hair cut yesterday. E.g.2: I’d like to 

have my shoes repaired.

6.    It + be + time + S + V (-ed, cột 2) / It’s +time +for someone +to 

do something  (đã đến lúc ai đó phải làm gì...), e.g.1: It is 

time you had a shower. E.g.2: It’s time for me to ask all of 

you for this question.

7.     It + takes/took+ someone + amount of time + to do 

something  (làm   gì...   mất   bao   nhiêu   thời   gian...),   e.g.1:   It 

takes me 5 minutes to get to school. E.g.2: It took him 10 

minutes to do this exercise yesterday.

8.     To prevent/stop + someone/something + From + V-ing 

(ngăn cản ai/cái gì... không làm gì..), e.g.1: 

9.     S + find+ it+ adj to do something  (thấy ... để làm gì...), 

e.g.1:  I  find   it  very   difficult   to   learn   about  English.   E.g.2: 

They found it easy to overcome that problem.

10.                        To prefer + Noun/ V-ing + to + N/ V-ing. (Thích cái 

gì/làm gì hơn cái gì/ làm gì , e.g.1: I prefer dog to cat. E.g.2: 

I prefer reading books to watching TV.

11.                        Would rather + V  (infinitive) + than + V  (infinitive)  (thích 

làm gì hơn làm gì , e.g.1: She would play games than read 

books. E.g.2: I’d rather learn English than learn Biology.

12.                        To be/get Used to + V-ing (quen làm gì , e.g.1: I am 

used to eating with chopsticks. 

13.                        Used to + V  (infinitive)  (Thường làm gì trong qk và bây 

giờ   không   làm   nữa),   e.g.1:   I   used   to   go   fishing   with   my 

friend   when   I   was   young.   E.g.2:   She   used   to   smoke   10 

cigarettes a day.

14.                        to be amazed at = to be surprised at + N/V-ing: ngạc 

nhiên về....

15.                        to be angry at + N/V-ing: tức giận về

16.                        to be good at/ bad at + N/ V-ing: giỏi về.../ kém về...

17.                        by chance = by accident (adv): tình cờ

18.                         to be/get tired of + N/V-ing: mệt mỏi về...

19.                         can’t stand/ help/ bear/ resist + V-ing: không nhịn 

được làm gì...

20.                         to be keen on/ to be fond of + N/V-ing : thích làm gì 

đó...

21.                        to be interested in + N/V-ing: quan tâm đến...

22.                        to waste + time/ money + V-ing: tốn tiền hoặc tg làm 

23.                         To spend + amount of time/ money + V-ing: dành 

bao nhiêu thời gian làm gì..

24.                         To   spend   +   amount   of   time/   money   +   on   + 

something:   dành   thời   gian   vào   việc   gì...,   e.g.1:   I   spend   2 

hours reading books a day. E.g.2: She spent all of her money 

on clothes.

25.                        to give up + V-ing/ N: từ bỏ làm gì/ cái gì...

26.                         would like/ want/wish + to do something: thích làm 

gì...

27.                       have + (something) to + Verb: có cái gì đó để làm

28.                         It   +   be   +   something/   someone   +   that/   who: 

chính...mà...

29.                        Had better + V(infinitive): nên làm gì....

30.                         hate/   like/   dislike/   enjoy/   avoid/   finish/   mind/ 

postpone/ practise/ consider/ delay/ deny/ suggest/ risk/ 

keep/   imagine/   fancy  +  V-ing,   e.g.1:   I   always   practise 

speaking English everyday.

31.                        It’s + adj + to + V-infinitive: quá gì ..để làm gì

32.                        Take place = happen = occur: xảy ra

33.                        to be excited about: thích thú

34.                        to be bored with/ fed up with: chán cái gì/làm gì

35.                         There is + N-số ít, there are + N-số nhiều: có cái 

gì...

36.                        feel like + V-ing: cảm thấy thích làm gì...

37.                         expect someone to do something: mong đợi ai làm 

gì...

38.                        advise someone to do something: khuyên ai làm gì...

39.                        go + V-ing: chỉ các trỏ tiêu khiển...(go camping...)

40.                        leave someone alone: để ai yên...

41.                        By + V-ing: bằng cách làm...

42.                         want/ plan/ agree/ wish/ attempt/ decide/ demand/ 

expect/   mean/   offer/   prepare/   happen/   hesitate/   hope/ 

afford/   intend/   manage/   try/   learn/   pretend/   promise/ 

seem/ refuse  + TO + V-infinitive,  e.g.1: I decide to study 

English.

43.                         for a long time = for years = for ages: đã nhiều năm 

rồi (dùng trong thì hiện tại hoàn thành)

44.                        when + S + V(QkĐ), S + was/were + V-ing.

45.                       When + S + V(qkd), S + had + Pii

46.                       Before + S + V(qkd), S + had + Pii

47.                       After + S + had +Pii, S + V(qkd)

48.                        to be crowded with: rất đông cài gì đó...

49.                        to be full of: đầy cài gì đó...

50.                        To be/ seem/ sound/ became/ feel/ appear/ look/ go/ 

turn/ grow + adj (đây là các động từ tri giác có nghĩa là: có 

vẻ như/ là/ dường như/ trở nên... sau chúng   nếu có adj và 

adv thì chúng ta phải chọn adj)

51.                        except for/ apart from: ngoài, trừ...

52.                        as  soon as: ngay sau khi

53.                        to be afraid of: sợ cái gì..

54.                         could  hardly:   hầu   như   không   (   chú   ý:   hard   khác 

hardly)

55.                        Have difficulty + V-ing: gặp khó khăn làm gì...

56.                         Chú ý phân biệt 2 loại tính từ  V-ed  và  V-ing: dùng 

-ed để miêu tả về  người, -ing cho  vật. và khi muốn nói về 

bản chất của cả người và vật ta dùng –ing, e.g.1: That film is 

boring. E.g.2: He is bored. E.g.3: He is an interesting man. 

E.g.4:   That   book   is   an   interesting   one.   (khi   đó   không   nên 

nhầm   với   –ed,   chẳng   hạn   ta   nói   :  a loved man  có   nghĩa 

“người   đàn   ông   được   mến   mộ”,   tức   là   có   nghĩa   “Bị”   và 

“Được” ở đó

57.                        in which = where; on/at  which = when

58.                        Put + up + with + V-ing: chịu đựng...

59.                        Make use of + N/ V-ing: tận dụng cái gì đó...

60.                        Get + adj/ Pii

61.                        Make progress: tiến bộ...

62.                        take over + N: đảm nhiệm cái gì...

63.                        Bring about: mang lại

64.                        Chú ý: so + adj còn such + N

65.                         At the end of  và  In the end  (cuối cái gì đó và kết 

cục)

66.                         To  find out  :   tìm   ra,   To  succeed in:   thành   công 

trong...

67.                        Go for a walk: đi dạo/ go on holiday/picnic: đi nghỉ

68.                        One of + so sánh hơn nhất + N: một trong những...

69.                         It is the first/ second.../best + Time  + thì hiện tại 

hoàn thành

70.                         Live in: sống ở/  Live at  + địa chỉ cụ thể/  Live on: 

sống nhờ vào...

71.                        To be fined for: bị phạt về

72.                        from behind: từ phía sau...

73.                        so that + mệnh đề: để....

74.                        In case + mệnh đề: trong trường hợp...

75.                         can/ could/ may might/ will/ would/ shall/ should/ 

must/ ought to... (modal Verbs) + V-infinitive

GRAMMAR

1

NOUN 1  Countable Noun ><  Uncountable Noun

Singular Plural  without a/an/ -s

   a /an/the

 Regular     Irregular

Noun –s/ es

Note 1

a means/series/species – means ..

a child  – children

a foot  – feet

a tooth – teeth

a louse – lice

  a person – people

  a goose – geese

a mouse – mice

a man – men

a woman – women

on ox - oxen

a fish -  fish

a carp – carp

a cod – cod

a salmon – salmon

a deer – deer

a sheep - sheep

a crisis – crises

a thesis – theses

a diagnosis - diagnoses

a hypothesis – hypotheses

a parenthesis - parentheses 

an axis - axes

an oasis - oases

a phenomenon –  phenomena

a criterion - criteria

a memorandum – memoranda

a curriculum – curricula

a bacterium - bacteria

a syllabus – syllabi

a cactus – cacti

a fungus – fungi

a stimulus – stimuli

a radius – radii

an appendix – appendices

an index – indices

Note 2: Twelve nouns ending in f or fe drop the f or fe and ad ves

a calf - calves

a half - halves

a knife - knives

a leaf - leaves

a life – lives

a loaf - loaves

-self - -selves

a sheaf - sheaves

a shelf - shelves

a thief - thieves

a wife - wives

a wolf –wolves

But:

   a hoof – hooves/hoofs        a roof – roofs         a cliff – cliffs

   a safe – safes                    a handkerchief – handkerchiefs     a belief- beliefs

2

NOUN 2: Compound Nouns

1. Normally the last word is made plural

boyfriends

travel agents

shop windows

hitch-hikers

traffic wardens

river banks

city streets

corner shops

street markets

spring flowers

November fogs

church bells

college libraries

driving licenses

2. But when man and woman is prefixed both parts are made plural

men drivers women drivers

3. The first word is made plural with compounds formed of verb + er or compounds 

composed of noun + preposition + noun

lookers-on runners-up sisters-in-law

NOUN 3:  Quantifiers

1. Many/several/various/numerous/diverse  ><  Much

2. A number of/numbers of ><  An amount of/amounts of

3. (A) few   ><  (A) little

4. Fewer/ the fewest  ><  Less/ the least

NOUN 4:  Numbers

1. a /two/three… hundred/thousand/million/billion/trillion + Noun

2. hundreds/thousands/millions/billions + OF + Noun

3. Compound adjectives

A three-year-old boy

A 16,000-page book

        4.  one/two/three percent (no –s) of Noun ; but a/the percentage of Noun

VERB

3

(1) Subject _ Verb Agreement

(2) Tenses

(3) Active     >< Passive

Transitive V + Obj V + No Object /Prepositional phrase (by, in, with…)

(4) Form

a. After modal verb + Bare inf (can, could, may, might, shall, should, must, will, 

would, would rather, had better, have to, ought to, be to, be supposed to)

    V- ing ( active/ continuous tenses)

b. After ‘be’ 

      P. P (passive)

c. After ‘have’ + P. P (perfect tenses)

d. Gerund >< Infinitive

e. Finite Verb >< Participle ( Present Participle >< Past participle)

PARALLEL STRUCTURE

1. ,

2. and

3. but

4. or

5. either …or

6. neither… nor

7. not only… but also

8. both … and

9. rather than

10. whether … or

11.  as well as

PRONOUN

4

1. Pronoun/Noun Agreement  they >< it/he/she/we

their >< its/his/her/our

them>< it/him/her/us 

themselves><itself/himself/herself/ourselves

who/whom>< which

that (of )    >< those (of) (plural)

2. Which type?

a. Subjective Pronouns (I/You/He/She/It/ We/You/They)

- Subject of a Verb

- After ‘Be’   

b. Objective Pronouns (me/you/him/her/it/us/you/them)

- Object of a Verb

- Object of a Preposition

c. Possessive Adjectives (my/your/his/her/its/our/your/their)

- Before a Noun

- Before a Gerund   : We are surprised by their nesting in such harsh 

conditions

d. Possessive Pronouns (mine/yours/his/hers/ours/yours/theirs)

e. Reflexive Pro 

(myself/yourself/himself/herself/itself/ourselves/yourselves/themselves)

3. Wrong spelling ( hisself/ theirselves/ ourself/ themself)

4. The >< Possessive Adjective

Ex: His snake is a reptile. 

He devoted the life to science.

5. Double subject/object

Ex: Black Island in Long Island Sound it is surrounded by cold, dangerous waters.

6. Unnecessary relative pronoun >< Necessary relative pronoun

Ex: Certain types of turtles that may live as long as 100 years.

The woman lives next door is too nosy.

WORD FORM

5

1. Adjectives

a. Before nouns

Ex:  an important meeting

b. After ‘be’ and other linking verbs

- be/become

- look/seem/appear/sound

- taste/feel/smell

- stay/remain ( = continue to be)

- turn/get/grow/go (= become)

- prove/find

Ex:  She looks angry.

c. Some   adjectives   end   in   –ly:  friendly/costly/cowardly/lovely/lively/ 

lonely/likely/ugly/early/monthly/weekly/daily/hourly/nightly/year

ly/quarterly/timely/scholarly/womanly/manly/motherly/fatherly/ 

kindly 

2. Adverbs

a. Modify verbs: Ex: Ann eagerly accepted the challenge.

b. Modify adjectives Ex: Ted seemed extremely curious about that topic.

c. Modify participles Ex: A rapidly changing situation / A brightly colored dress.

d. Modify   prepositions/   clause   markers:    soon  after  /  immediately  after/  long  before/ 

shortly before

e. Modify adverbs: Ex: The accident occurred incredibly quickly.

f. Modify the whole sentence

-  general >< generally

- basic >< basically

- particular  ><     particularly

- possible >< possibly

- probable >< probably

- usual >< usually

- original >< originally      -  innate      ><             innately

Ex:  Generally, I like my class

6

3. Note

a. fast (adj)   fast (adv)

b. long (adj)  long (adv)

c. hard (adj)  hard >< hardly

d. high (adj)  high >< highly (figurative meaning)

e. early (adj)  early (adv)

f. good (adj)  well (adv)

VERB NOUN ADJECTIVE VERB NOUN ADJECTIVE

Differ Difference Different Restrict Restriction Restrictive

Invent Invention Inventive Cultivate Culture Cultural

Compete Competition Competitive Agriculture Agricultural

Fertilize Fertilizer/fertility Fertile Empower Power Powerful

Decide Decision Decisive Importance Important

Prohibit Prohibition Prohibitive Significance Significant

Prevent Prevention Preventive Analyze Analysis Analytical

Beautify Beauty Beautiful Familiarize Familiarity Familiar

Originate Origin Original Popularize Popularity Popular

Emphasize Emphasis Emphatic Classify Classification Classifiable

Glorify Glory Glorious Categorize category Categorical

Mystify Mystery Mysterious Absent Absence Absent

Socialize Society Social Interest Interest Interesting

Generalize Generalization General Bore Boredom Boring

Simplify Simplicity Simple Fascinate Fascination Fascinating

Free Freedom Free Produce Production Productive

Construct Construction Constructive Necessitate Necessity Necessary

Live Life Live/living Collect Collection Collective

FIELD PERSON FIELD PERSON FIELD PERSON

Music Musician Surgery Surgeon Dentistry Dentist

Poetry Poet Architecture Architect Engineering Engineer

Administration Administrator Farming Farmer Finance Financier

Photography Photographer Biology Biologist Physics Physicist

Athletics Athlete Theory Theorist Science Scientist

Philosophy Philosopher Chemistry Chemist Invention Inventor

Creation Creator Politics Politician Crime/criminology Criminal

7

Law Lawyer Humor Humorist Mathematics mathematician

History Historian Biography Biographer Manufacture Manufacturer

Editing Editor Writing Writer Acting Actor/actress

Magic Magician Geography Geographe

r

Collection Collector

Forecast Forecaster Hunting Hunter Employment Employee/er

Training Trainer Dance Dancer Competition Competitor

Contest Contestant Beauty Beautician Labor Laborer

Discovery Discoverer Carpentry Carpenter

NOUN VERB ADJECTIVE NOUN VERB ADJECTIVE

Strength Strengthen Strong Heat Heat Hot

Hardness Harden Hard Light Lighten Light

Softness Soften Soft Brightness Brighten Bright/brilliant

Depth Deepen Deep Thickness Thicken Thick

Ripeness Ripen Ripe Richness Enrich Rich

Solidity Solidify Solid Humidity Humidify Humid

Length Lengthen Long Flatness/flat Flatten Flat

Shortness Shorten Short Height Heighten High

Weight Weigh Weighty/weightless  Darkness/dark Darken Dark

Blackness Blacken Black White/whiteness Whiten White

Fat Fatten Fat Largeness Enlarge Large

Nouns:  hearing/sight/smell/taste/touch

Verbs:   hear/see/smell/taste/touch

WORD CHOICE

1. Wrong choice of  MAKE or DO

1) MAKE    an agreement/ an announcement/ an attempt/an effort/ a 

decision/a discovery/ an offer/a profit/ a promise/ advances in/ a 

comparison/ a contribution/ a distinction/ a forecast/ a law/ a point/ an 

investment/ a plan/ a prediction/ a sound/ noise/use of/ a choice/ a 

loan/an appointment

2) MAKE UP OF (= be composed of ); MAKE UP (= compose)

3) DO   an assignment/the dishes/ the washing-up/the shopping/ the 

ironing/the cooking/a favor/homework/the laundry/ a paper//research/ 

8

a job/ one’s work/ business with/ justice to/  wrong/ a kindness/one’s 

duty/harm/one’s best/a service/damage/ wonder

2. Wrong choice of like/ alike/like or as

1) Like/Unlike  A, B +  Verb

2) A, like/unlike B, + Verb 

3) A is like/unlike B

4) A and B are alike

5) Like + Noun Ex: My results were much like Paul’s

6) As + Subject +Verb Ex: I did my experiment just as Paul did

7) As + Noun (=in the role of)

8) serve as/ function as/ use sth as/ be used as/ be thought of as/ be 

referred to as

9) regard/consider/name/choose/elect/select/designate/appoint/declare/

nominate/proclaim/announce s.o/sth (as) s.o/sth

3. Wrong choice of so, such, too

9

1) so + adjective/adverb + that   Subject + Verb

2) so + many/few + Noun (c) that   Subject + Verb

     + much/little + Noun (u) that   Subject + Verb

3) so + adjective + a/an + Noun (c, singular)  that  Subject + Verb

4) such + (a/an) + Noun  that  Subject + Verb

5) too adjective + (for someone) + to do something

6) enough + noun +( for someone) to do something

7) adjective/adverb + enough + (for someone) to do something

4. Wrong choice of because or because of; although or in spite 

of /despite; when/while or during

5. Wrong choice of ANOTHER or OTHER

Another Other

Adjective • another + Noun (singular) • other + Noun (plural)

• Determiner (the, some, any,

every,   one,   no)  +  other  +  Noun 

(sing   )  

Pronoun • another (an additional one)

Ex: Give me another.

• the other/the others

Ex:   Of   the   two   teachers,   one   is 

experienced, and the other is not. 

Note: each other / one another

from one …    to another

6. Other word form problems

BE CAREFUL WITH THESE PAIRS OF WORDS

1) no + noun >< not … any

2) no longer >< not … any longer/any more

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Adverb clause markers + S+ V Preposition + Noun/NP

• because                  because of/ due to/ on account of

• although/though/even though          in spite of/ despite

• when/while/as      during

3) most + Noun

most of  the Noun

almost all of the Noun/ almost no + Noun/almost every + Noun 

the most +adj/adv (superlative)

4) almost + quantifier/adjective/adverb (Word Order) 

5) twice (adjective) >< double (verb)

Note:  be twice as… as…

6) earliest >< soonest

7) one /two/three…percent of >< a /the percentage of

8) after >< afterward (adv = after that )

9) ago >< before

10) tell so that >< say that/say to so that

Note: tell a story/a lie/lies/the truth/ a secret

11)hardly ever >< never

12)hard/hardly

13)and/but/or

14)be alive >< live + Noun

15)old > < of age

16)near (=close to) >< nearly (=almost)

17)some + Noun >< somewhat + adjective

18)affect so/sth >< effect of sth on so/sth

19)already (adv) >< be all ready ( adjective)

20)among (3 or more) >< between ( 2)

21)and (conjunction) >< also (adverb)

22)beside (=next to) >< besides (= in addition)

23)costume (=clothing) >< custom (traditional practice)

24)farther/further (distance) >< further (= more)

25)formally (=officially) >< formerly (=previously)

26)hard >< hardly

27)imaginary (= not real/fictional) >< imaginative (=creative)

28)later >< latter

29)lay laid laid   laying  +Object  (= put/place) 

lie lay lain lying (= be situated/located)

11

lie lied lied lying (= not tell the truth)

30)loose (adj) >< lose (verb)

31)no>< not>< none

32)pass (verb) >< past (adj/noun/preposition)

Note:  pass = go/come past

33)quiet (adj) >< quite (adv)

34)raise + object/ be raised (passive) >< rise (without an object)

35)set + object (=put/place) >< sit (without an object)

36)thorough (adj) >< through (adv)

37)out >< out of +Noun

38)away>< away from + Noun

39)out/in (preposition) >< outer/inner (adjective)

40)listen to >< hear

41)lone/live/sleeping + noun >< be alone/ alive/asleep

7. Redundancy

- connect together

- repeat again

- join together

- proceed forward

- advance forward

- only unique

- new innovations

- reread again

- return back

- same identical

- sufficient enough

- separated away from

- incorrect mistake

- progress forward

- important significant

- carefully cautiously

- established founded

- protect guard

- original first

- rarely seldom

- transmit send out

- single only

- around 

approximately

- chief main

- such as for example

- necessary needed

Inversion

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a) Inversion of the verb after certain adverbs

Ex:   I haven’t got a ticket. – Neither/Nor have I.

Never before had I been asked to accept a bribe.

Not only do they rob you, they smash everything too

On no account must this switch be touched

Only by shouting was he able to make himself heard.

Only in an emergency should you use this exit.

Rarely did this remedy fail

So suspicious did he become that …

So confusing was the map that we had to ask a police officer for directions.

Such is the popularity of the place that the theater is likely to be full every night.

b) The subject and verb of the second clause ( not the first clause) are inverted 

when the following expressions occur at the beginning of a sentence

Ex:   Not until he got home   did he realize that he had lost it.

Only if you study hard can you pass the final exam.

13

Hardly ever On no account

Hardly … when Only by/in/ at/once/recently 

In no circumstances Only in this way

Neither/nor Rarely

Never Seldom

No sooner… than Scarcely ever

Not only Scarcely …when

Nowhere (So) + adj or participles

(Such) + be + Noun

Not until Only if Only until

Only when Only because Only after

c) In written English adverb phrases introduced by preposition (down, from, in, on, 

over, off, out of, round, up .etc.) can be followed by  verbs   indicating   position 

(crouch, hang, lie sit, stand, be etc.), by verbs of motion.

Ex: From the rafters hung strings of onions.

In the door way stood a man with a gun.

On a perch beside him sat a blue parrot

Over the wall came a shower of stone.

In front of the museum is a statue.

Off the coast of California lie the Channel Islands.

Ex:   Across the United States, the general movement of air masses is from west to east.

d)  If + Subject + auxiliary can be replaced in formal English by inversion of auxiliary 

and subject with if omitted.

Ex: If I were in his shoes … =  Were I in his shoes …

If you should require anything… = Should you require anything …

If he had known … = Had he known…

Double Comparison

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Note:   Prepositional Phrase, S + V

Note:   the worse (not the worst), the less (not the least), the better (not the best)

Ex: The more he plays, the more he improves.

Incorrect Article Choice

• a ><  an

Ex:  A eclipse of the sun may be either total or partial

• a/an  >< without a/an (uncountable noun)

• a/an >< the

Ex: Rose Bird was a first woman in the history of California to serve on the State Supreme 

Court

• a/an/the >< without a/an/the

Ex:  Slag consists of waste material and impurities which rise to top of melted metals. 

The most asteroids are beyond the orbit of the planet Mars.

• the >< possessive adjectives

Ex:  The Ozark Mountains of Arkansas are known for the rugged beauty

Note: 

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The + comparative + S + (V), the +comparative + S + (V) 

- a university/ a European/ a one-parent family/a union/a unicorn/ a unique character 

- an hour/ an honest man/ an honor/ an heir/ an heiress/ an MP/ an FBI

Common clause markers:

a. Time   : after , as, as long as, as soon as, before, by the time, now that, 

once, since, until, when, while, whenever

b. Concessions/Contrast   :  although, even though, though, even if, 

whereas, while, despite the fact that, in spite of the fact that, except 

that/however

c. Reason   : as, because, since, in that, in case

d. Results   : so that, so … that, such… that

e. Manner   : as if, as though

f. Place   : wherever

g. Conditions   : if, even if, only if, provided, unless 

Conjunctions   :        -     and, but, yet, for, so, or

Conjunctive advs -     besides, likewise, moreover, in addition, additionally

- however, nevertheless, on the other hand, in contrast, in spite   of 

this

- therefore, as a result, accordingly, consequently

- otherwise

- then, meanwhile

- similarly, correspondingly, likewise

- for example, for instance

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1.     Clause marker   (a)  S+ V(f)

           (b)  Present P      ,   S + V

              (c)  Past P

           (d)  Adjective

          (,)   (1) Clause marker

2. S + V  + (Object) ,    (2) Conjunction             S + V + (Object)

          ;    (3) conjunctive adverbs  ,

ARTICLES

A/AN

1.  Before singular countable nouns

Ex: Australia is a continent

2. To introduce a subject that has not mentioned before

Ex: I saw a tiger.

3. With certain expressions

a dozen

a couple

a/one hundred/thousand/million

a great many

a great deal

a lot of

a/one half

a/one third

a/one quarter

fifty miles an/per hour

ten kilometers an/per hour

$10 a/per day

4. With names of professions

Ex: He is an engineer. She is a doctor. 

THE

1. Only one example of the thing/person or the identity of the person or thing is clear 

Ex:  The moon is full today.

Please open the door.

2. With certain expressions

the morning/afternoon/evening

the past/present/future

the front/back/center/top/bottom

the beginning/middle/end

the north/south/east/west

3. Before a singular noun representative of a class of things ( usually names of animals, plants, 

inventions, musical instruments, and parts of the body)

Ex: The tiger is the largest cat

The heart pumps blood

The Wright brothers invented the airplane.

She plays the guitar.

17

4. Before ordinal number (Note: No article is used before expressions with cardinal 

numbers.)

Ex:  The First  World War (But:  World War One)

The second chapter (But:  Chapter Two)

The third gate (But:  Gate Three)

The seventh volume (But: Volume Seven)

5.  Before decades and centuries

Ex: the 1930s the fifties the sixties

the twenty-first century the 1800s the twentieth century

6.  Before superlative adjectives

Ex: The biggest island on earth is Greenland.

7. Quantifier + of + the + noun

Many/ some/all/much/most/a few/all/... of the + Noun

Note: These expressions can also be used without the phrase of the  

Ex:  Many books not much paper

Some water a few pictures

8. Before a group of people or a nationality 

Ex:  The Vietnamese are very hardworking

The Swedish are proud of their ancestors, the Vikings.

Note: No article is used before the name of a language

Ex:  She learned to speak Vietnamese when she lived in Hanoi.

9.  The + adjective (=  people who are...)

Ex:  The rich should help the poor.

10. Before a specific noun

Ex:  The coffee I had this morning was Brazilian (specific)

Coffee originated in Ethiopia. (general)

The rice that I bought today is in the bag. (specific)

Rice is a staple in many countries.(general)

The trees in this park are mostly evergreens. (specific) 

Trees provide shade. (general)

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11. The + subject + of NP

       Subject (used alone)  --> no article 

       Adjective + Subject --> no article

Ex: The literature of the twentieth century

The history of The United States.

But: I major in literature

I study American history.

12. Before names of countries, states, cities, universities, colleges, and schools that 

contain the word "of"  or before countries that have a plural name      or an adjective in the 

name, except for Great Britain

Ex:  The United States of America

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam (but: Vietnam)

The State of Florida (But: Florida)

The city of Boston ( But:  Boston)

The University of Texas ( But:  Boston University)

The Netherlands/ The Philippines

13. Before

a. oceans: Ex:  The pacific Ocean

b. seas Ex: The Black Sea

c. gulfs Ex:  The Gulf of Mexico

d. rivers Ex:  The Nile

e. plural names of mountains Ex: The Appalachian Mountains (But: Mount Everest)

f. plural names of islands Ex:  The Hawaiian Islands (But: Manhattan Island)

g. plural names of lakes Ex: The Great Lakes (But: Lake Michigan)

14. Before the names of ships, planes, trains and people's family names

Ex: The Titanic

The Orient Express

The Browns

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GERUND AND INFINITIVE               

I.   VERB + TO INF

Ex:  Tom wants to become a doctor.

Susan pretended to sleep.

David promised not to be late again.

II. VERB + OBJECT + TO INFINITIVE

   

Ex:  They begged us to come.

        I warn you not to drive so fast.

     Note:   advise/allow/encourage/permit/recommend (1) + object + to inf

             (2) + V-ing

Ex:   He doesn’t allow smoking in his house

                    He doesn’t allow anyone to smoke in his house 

        Nobody is allowed to smoke in his house 

III. VERB + V-ING

Ex:     I dislike driving long distances

          I can’t help worrying about it.

          Would you mind not smoking in this class?

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afford beg expect manage pretend threaten

agree care fail mean promise want

appear consent forget need refuse wish

arrange decide hesitate offer seem try

ask desire hope plan struggle intend

attemptdeserve learn prepare swear

advise challenge forbid order teach invite

allow convince force permit tell recommend

ask dare hire persuade urge enable

beg encourage instruct remind want lead

cause expect invite require warn motivate

use

admit delay finish postpone resent miss

appreciate deny can’t help practice resist tolerate

avoid discusskeep quit risk involve

complete dislike mention recall stop understand

consider enjoy mind recollect suggest include

IV.   VERB + V-ING/ TO INFINITIVE 

Ex: It began to rain/ raining

    

  Note:  would like/love/prefer + to infinitive

Ex: I would like to play tennis today.

V.   ADJECTIVE / PARTICIPLE+ TO INFINITIVE

Ex:   Tom is anxious to see his family.

                     It is very dangerous to drive in this weather.

                    We are ready to leave now.

       

  Note: be busy/worth + V-ing.

Ex:   He is busy doing his homework.

                    The book is worth reading.

VI. PREPOSITION + V-ING

1. VERB + PREPOSITION + V-ING

  

     Ex:   John gave up smoking three years ago.

               I am looking forward to going back to school.

2. ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION + V-ING     

      

Ex:   She is afraid of getting married now.

         To gets used to getting up early.

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begin continue hate prefer

start can’t stand love like

anxious difficult willing boring

eager hard able interesting

usual dangerous pleased …

easy ready prepared

approve of succeed in think of look forward to dedicate to

give up count on depend on object to commit to

rely on keep on put off confess to

insist on think about dream about devote to

afraid of capable of tired of be/get accustomed to

interested in successful in             fond of be/get used to

VII. SPECIAL CASES

1. STOP

He stopped smoking (He gave up smoking; he is not going to smoke any more.)

He stopped to smoke (He stopped doing something in order to smoke)

2. TRY

                       TRY + TO INF: make an effort to do something

                       Ex:  I was very tire. I tried to keep my eyes open, but I couldn’t.

                       TRY + V-ING: do something as an experiment or test 

 Ex:   I’ve got a terrible headache. I tried taking an aspirin, but it did not help.

3. REMEMBER

REMEMBER + TO INF: You remember to do something before you do it

       Ex:   Please remember to post the letter. (= Don’t forget to post the letter)

REMEMBER + V-ING: You remember doing something after you do it

       Ex:   I clearly remember locking the door before I left. 

4. NEED

NEED + TO INF (ACTIVE)

 Ex:   John needs to paint the door.

          My friend needed to learn Spanish 

NEED + V-ING = NEED + TO BE DONE (PASSIVE)

 Ex:  The grass needs cutting/ to be cut.

          The television needs fixing/to be fixed.

5. MAKE/LET/HAVE + OBJECT + BARE INFINITIVE

Ex:   Sad movies always make me cry.

         I had the mechanic repair my car. (I had my car repaired by the mechanic

         My parents do not let me go out late at night.

6. VERBS OF PERCEPTION + V-ING/ BARE INFINITIVE

     

Ex:   I saw my friend running/run down the street.               

7. GO + V-ING

Ex:   My sister went sailing yesterday

8. TO INFINITIVE can be used after the first, the second…, the last, the only and 

sometimes after superlatives.

Ex:   She loves parties. She is always the first to come and the last to leave.

        He is the second man to be killed in this way.

         

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see look at listen to

notice observe smell

watch hear feel

boatingdancing jogging shopping  swimming

GO bowling fishing climbing sightseeing

camping hiking runningskating

canoeing huntingsailing skiing

9. TO INFINITIVE can be used after certain nouns

Ex:   His ability to get on with people is his chief asset.

      Ex:   He made an effort to stand up. 

10.

  

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ability demand failure request

ambition desire offer scheme

anxiety determinationplan willingness

attempt eagerness promise wish

decision effort refusal readiness

catch/find/leave + Object +  V-ing

spend/ waste +  Time + V-ing

have fun/ a good time +  V-ing

have trouble/difficulty +  V-ing

have a hard time/ difficult time + V-ing

WORD ENDINGS

A. COMMON NOUN (THING) ENDINGS

1. –ism : baptism, criticism, organism, heroism, patriotism, alcoholism, 

  barbarism, dwarfism, parallelism

2. –nce : importance, significance, dependence, arrogance, resistance, 

   subsistence

3. –ness : bitterness, conceitedness, darkness, hardness, kindheartedness 

4. –ion : excision, damnation, pollution, suggestion, a notion, an action, 

  vexation, concoction, completion. 

5. –ment : abridgement, accomplishment, banishment, commencement, 

  embodiment,  enhancement,  excitement,  fragment,  garment,  ornament, 

treatment 

6. –(i)ty : purity, authority, dubiety, majority, superiority, humidity, cruelty, 

  faculty, honesty, plenty, safety, subtlety  

7. –age : baggage, carriage, cartage, damage, dotage, hermitage, homage

 language, luggage, marriage, passage, tillage, tonnage, vicarage, 

    village.

8. –ship : ambassadorship, citizenship, headship, professorship, chairmanship, 

   fellowship, scholarship, companionship, friendship, hardship,

  relationship, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, horsemanship, 

  membership, courtship

9. –th : bath, birth, death, oath, growth, stealth, filth, health, length, strength, 

  truth, depth, breadth, wealth.

10. –dom : earldom, freedom, kingdom, officialdom, wisdom 

11.  –hood : childhood, falsehood, sisterhood, brotherhood, neighborhood, 

  likelihood, livelihood 

12. –ure : closure, picture, scripture, legislature, nature, failure, pleasure, 

  treasure

13. –cy : bankruptcy, captaincy, democracy, privacy, delicacy, advocacy, 

  confederacy, accuracy, obstinacy, piracy, , aristocracy, expectancy,

  efficiency, presidency, sufficiency, deficiency 

14. –(t)ry:  rivalry, ancestry, carpentry, industry, greenery, machinery, scenery, 

  bakery, brewery, bravery, slavery, archery 

15. –logy :  archaeology, geology, sociology, theology, zoology

16.  –graphy : bibliography, biography

24

B.  COMMON NOUN (PERSON) ENDINGS

1. – or : actor, creator, doctor, monitor, sculptor, successor, guarantor, 

  conqueror, donor, governor, solicitor, tailor, visitor. bachelor 

2. – er : hatter, geographer, astrologer, cottager, foreigner, Londoner, 

  New Yorker, northerner, villager, airliner, old-timer, sorcerer

3. – ee : employee, payee, devotee, escapee, conferee, absentee, refugee. 

4. – ist : chemist, dramatist, economist, geologist; dentist, pianist, tobacconist;

  Buddhist, Darwinist, idealist, Marxist, racist, optimist, pessimist

5. – ician : magician, physician, musician, electrician, beautician, 

  politician, statistician, mathematician, mortician, 

6. – ant (10%) : assistant, accountant, consultant, contestant, inhabitant 

C. ADJECTIVE ENDINGS

1. – ent : independent, sufficient, absent, ambivalent, ancient, apparent, 

  ardent   

2. – ant : arrogant, expectant, important, significant , abundant, ignorant, 

  brilliant,  

3. – ful : beautiful, graceful, powerful, grateful, forgetful, mournful, 

Exceptions:   handful   ,   mouthful   ,   spoonful     are nouns

4. – ic : civic, classic, historic, artistic, economic,

5. – less : doubtless, fearless, hatless, powerless, countless, tireless, faceless, 

  legless, careless, helpless

6. – ive : authoritative, demonstrative, figurative, imitative, qualitative, 

  talkative, active, passive, comparative, possessive

7. – ous : dangerous, glorious, murderous, viscous, ferocious, hilarious,    

8. – able : charitable, separable, bearable, reliable, comfortable, suitable.

9. – ible : audible, compressible, edible, horrible, terrible

10.  – al : central, general, oral, colossal, tropical, tidal 

Exceptions : rival, arrival, proposal, withdrawal, survival are nouns

11.  – ory : mandatory, compulsory, predatory, satisfactory

Exceptions : dormitory, promontory, territory are nouns

12.  – ary : arbitrary, budgetary, contrary, primary, temporary, necessary

13.  – y :  angry, happy, icy, messy, milky, tidy, chilly, haughty, slippery, 

14. – ly :  beastly, cowardly, queenly, rascally

15.  – (r)ate (10%): temperate, accurate, considerate, immediate, literate

16.  – ish: boorish, boyish, foolish, womanish, bookish, feverish, bluish, reddish

25

D. COMMON VERB ENDINGS

1. – en/ en – : listen, happen, strengthen, lengthen, shorten, soften, ripen, deepen, 

  widen, entrust, enslave, enlighten, entangle, enlarge, encourage,      

  enable, enrich    

2. – ate : assassinate, associate, fascinate, felicitate, hydrate, separate, 

  vaccinate, evacuate

3. – ize : characterize, idolize, agonize, apologize, sympathize, theorize, 

  authorize, extemporize, fertilize, fossilize, jeopardize, moralize, 

   Americanize, carbonize, oxidize

4. – ify : pacify, satisfy, petrify, solidify, horrify

E. COMMON ADVERB ENDING

1. – ly : amusingly, deservedly, firstly, fully, greatly, happily, hourly, truly, 

  firstly, secondly

2. – wise : crosswise, lengthwise, otherwise, clockwise 

3. – ways : edgeways, endways, lengthways, sideways 

4. – ward : backward, homeward, inward, onward, skyward, eastward

26

SUBJECT – VERB AGREEMENT

A. BASIC SUBJECT – VERB AGREEMENT

1. Singular Subject + Singular Verb

2. Plural Subject + Plural Verb

Ex:   My friend lives in Boston.

Growing flowers is her hobby.

My friends live in Boston.

B. SPECIAL CASES

1. 

Ex:  The actor and the singer are coming.

Jean and David are coming back to Australia.

Note: However, phrases connected by and can be followed by singular verbs if we think of them as making 

up a single item. 

Ex: Meat pie and peas  is Tom’s favorite at the moment

Fish and chips  is my favorite food

2.

Ex: One of my friends is here.

You together with Tom are responsible for this failure.

3.

Ex:  Neither John nor his friends are going to the beach

27

Sing Subject 1 and Sing Subject 2 + Plural Verb

 of

 in addition to

 with

Subject 1 +   together with  + Subject 2 + Verb

 along with

 as well as

no less than

 like/ unlike

Either     or

    + Subject 1 + + Subject 2   + Verb

Neither     nor

4.

Ex: There is a book on the shelf

There are three books on the shelf

5.

Ex:  Here comes the Queen. 

  Here lie many unknown soldiers.

6.

Ex: Each boy/ each of the boys has a gift.

Note:  Each boy and each girl is to do this exercise.

7.

Ex:  Everyone has his or her own idea.

28

There +   be +  Noun

There/ Here    + Verb +  Noun

Every Noun (singular)

Each       +          +  Singular Verb

Either of  the Noun (plural)

Neither

Everyone Something Nobody

Everybody Anyone Nothing

Everything Anybody      + Singular Verb

Someone Anything

Somebody No one

8. a. 

Ex: A number of refugees have been turned back at the border.

Plenty of potatoes are grown here.

None of the answers are correct.

b.

Ex:  The number of books in the library has risen to over five million.

c. 

Ex: All the furniture was destroyed in the fire.

9.

Ex:  The team is winning. (the team as a group)

The team are going back to their homes. (meaning individual members of the team)

29

A/the majority of

A number of

A lot of       +  Plural Noun + Plural Verb

Plenty of   

Some of

None of

Half of

No

The number of   + Plural Noun + Singular Verb

Any of

None of

The majority of

A lot of + Uncountable Noun   +    Singular Verb

Plenty of

All (of)

Some (of)

council company government staff  Singular Verb ( if they 

association crowd group team are referred to as a group)

audience department jury university

class electorate orchestra faculty     

club enemy population choir

college family press gang Plural Verb ( if they are seen

committee firm public couple as a collection of individual)

community generation school cabinet

10.

Ex:  The pants are in the drawer.

(A pair of pants is in the drawer)

11.

Ex: The police are looking for the missing child.

12. 

Ex:  Physics is difficult.

The news is alarming.

13. The titles of books, plays, movies, etc., always take a singular verb

Ex: The Los Angeles Times is on the desk.

Gulliver’s Travels is a well-known children’s book.

14. Nouns stating an amount of time, money or measurement always take a singular verb

Ex:  Five minutes is not enough to do this exercise.

Thirty-five dollars is too much for this shirt.

Four -hundred miles is too much to drive in one day.

15.

Ex:  The poor need help.

30

belongings riches glasses

clothes savings pliers

congratulations stairs pants

earnings surroundings +  Plural Verb

goods thanks

outskirts scissors

particulars shorts

premises jeans

police

people + Plural Verb

cattle

poultry

news measles rabies

physicsstatistics diabetes

politics mathematics gymnastics + Singular Verb

mumpsphysicsathletics

economics phonetics linguistics

The +    Adjective +    Plural Verb

16.

Fluids

Solids

Gases

Particles

Abstraction

Activities

Natural

phenomena

Ex:  Smoking is harmful to your health.

31

Uncountable Noun  + Singular Verb

baggage clothing equipment food fruit furniture

garbage hardware jewelry junk luggage machinery

mail makeup money cash changepostage

water coffee tea milk oil soup

gasoline blood

ice bread butter cheese meat gold

iron silver glass paper wood wool

steam air oxygen nitrogen smoke pollution

rice chalk corn dust grass hair

pepper dirt salt sand flour wheat

beauty confidence courage education enjoyment fun

happiness health help honesty hospitality importance

intelligence justice knowledge laughter music luck

patience peace pride progress recreation sleep

truth violence wealth …

advice information news evidence proof time

space energy homework work grammar slang

vocabulary

driving swimming traveling working

baseball soccer tennis chess

weather dew fog hail heat humidity

lightning rain sleet snow thunder wind

darkness light sunshine electricity fire gravity

PREPOSITIONS

1. PREPOSITIONS OF TIME

A. In

• century ( in the twenty-first century)

• decade ( in the 1970s; in the nineties)

• year (in 2007)

• season ( in the summer)

• month ( in July)

• parts of the day ( in the morning; in the afternoon; in the evening)

• the past/ future 

• amounts of time ( in/within an hour)

B. On

• date (on September 11)

• day (on Monday; on Sunday morning)

C. At

• time of day (at 9:20)

• night/ midnight/ noon /dawn/dusk/sunrise/sunset/the moment/the same 

time/present/ first/last

D. During

 During is used with periods of time

• It snows a lot in Montreal during the winter

• His company grew rapidly during the 1980s

 During is NOT used with dates or days of the week.

E. Until 

 Until is used with points of time to indicate that an action continues up to that point

• Helen practiced the piano until noon

• They won’t arrive until tomorrow

F . From …. To/until and between … and 

 These phrases are used with starting points and ending points

32

• From 1990 to/until 1993, Mr. Nolan was in charge of the sales division.

• Between 1990 and 1993, Mr. Nolan was in charge of the sales division.

G. Since/ For

 Since and for are generally used with a perfect tense

• We've been waiting here since two o'clock.

• The factory has been here since the 1970s.

• We had been talking for a good half hour.

2. PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE

A. In

• the world

• continent (in Asia)

• country ( in China)

• state/province (in California; in Ontario)

• in city ( in Munich)

• building (in the Empire State Building)

• room (in the living room)

B. On

• earth (the origin of life on Earth)

• street ( on Wall Street)

• coast ( on the East Coast)

• floor ( on the second floor)

C. At

• address (at 634 Sutter Street)

• building (at the museum)

• home/school/college/work 

D. From … to and between … and

• They're building a new road between Manchester and Sheffield.

• They're building a new road from Manchester to Sheffield.

33

3. OTHER COMMON PREPOSITION COMBINATIONS

A. In

• clothes ( in a gray suit)

• language ( written in Vietnamese) 

• book ( in the Complete Guide to TOEIC)

• newspaper ( in the International Herald-Tribune)

• magazine ( in Times)

• department ( in the sales department)

• field ( in computer science)

• one’s opinion (in her opinion)

• a car / a taxi (I've left my bag in the car.)

• trouble (I think I'm in trouble with Dad.)

• danger of (The bridge was in danger of collapsing.)

• part (The failure of the project was due in part to his lack of leadership.

• front of (He walked along in front of me, holding the lantern.)

• the middle of (Jo was standing in the middle of the room.)

• the back of (Two men were sitting in the back of the car.)

• the rear (a passenger traveling in the rear of a car)

• line (The kids were standing in line waiting for their teacher.)

• the process of (The company is in the process of moving to new offices.)

B. On

• a vehicle ( on a bus; on a train; on a plane)

• foot (It takes about 30 minutes on foot, or 10 minutes by car.)

• a trip (We were all going on a trip.) 

• business (She's in New York this week on business)

• holiday (I'm away on holiday until the 1st of June.)

34

• sale (These gloves were on sale for only $9.)

• the market (Handguns are freely available on the open market)

• schedule (The majority of holiday flights depart and arrive on schedule.)

• time (Jack was worried about whether he'd be able to get there on time.)

• (the) television/radio (Later that evening we watched it all on television again.)

• the phone (Bridget's on the phone all day long.)

• a farm (Joe had worked on the farm all his life.)

• the other hand (I'd like to eat out, but on the other hand I want to save money.)

• purpose (Fire investigators believe the fire was set on purpose.)

C. BY

 By is used before a point of time to indicate the latest time. By, in this case, means “no 

later than”.

• I will be home by noon.

 By can mean “next to”

• She is standing by her friend.

 By is used after passive verbs to identify the agent of the action.

• This report was written by Peter.

 By is used with means of transportation and communication

• by car/plane/e-mail

          Note: in a/my car; on a plane 

 Other

• By chance/ hand/ far/check/credit card/ means of

D. With

 With is used to express the idea of accompaniment or ownership

• I went to the restaurant with Andrea.

• The man with the briefcase is the vice-president.

 With is also used to indicate the tool or instrument used to complete something

• He opened the door with his key.

• He paid for the bill with a credit car

35

E. Without 

 Without means “ not having, experiencing or showing something”; “not in the company

      of someone” or “not doing the action mentioned”

• They had gone two days without food.

• He found the place without difficulty.

• She spoke without much enthusiasm.

• Don't go without me.

• I don't know what I'd do without you.

• The rest of the group set off without him.

• Don't go out without your coat.

• He left without saying goodbye.

• You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs. 

• Suddenly and without any warning, the army opened fire. 

• He had gone out without his parents' permission. 

F. Within

 Within can mean “during a  particular period of time”

• We should have the test results back within 24 hours. 

• He fell sick and died within a matter of weeks. 

• Within an hour of our arrival, Caroline was starting to complain.

• Within the space of a year, three of the town's factories have closed down.

 Within can mean “less than a certain distance from a particular place”

• The invading troops came within 50 miles of Paris.

• We live within easy reach of (=close to) the shops.

• Adjust the driver's seat so that all the controls are within reach (=close enough to 

touch) 

 Within can also mean “ inside the range or limits of something”

• We have to operate within a very tight budget. 

• Private security firms have to work strictly within the law. 

• You can go anywhere you want within reason (=within reasonable limits)

36

• He finds it hard to live within his income.

G. Beyond

 Beyond can mean “more or greater than a particular amount, level, or limit”

• More people are choosing to work beyond retirement age. 

• Inflation has risen beyond the 5% level.

• Such tasks are far beyond the scope of the average school kid. 

• Expensive luxuries that are beyond the reach of ordinary people

 Beyond can be used to say that “something is impossible to do”

• Scott's equipment was damaged beyond repair.

• The town centre had changed beyond all recognition.

• Due to circumstances beyond our control the performance has had to be cancelled.

• Why Joan ever married such an idiot in the first place is beyond me.

READING COMPREHENSION 

STRATEGIES

37

READING STRATEGIES

1. OVERVIEW QUESTIONS

The most common overview question asks about the purpose or main topic of the passage. Other 

overview questions ask about the writer of the passage or the reader of the passage.

 What does this article/the memo mainly discuss?

 What is this form?

 What is the purpose of this letter/announcement/notice…?

 Why was this notice/letter written?

 In what business is the writer of the passage?

 What kind of business is Mr. ________ probably in?

 Who issued/wrote this notice?

 What is the author’s opinion of ______?

 Who were these instructions written for?

 Who would be most interested in the information in this announcement?

 For whom is this advertisement/notice intended?  

38

- Don’t answer the  initial  overview questions until you have answered the other 

questions

- Usually focus on  the title and the first sentence(s) of each paragraph for the 

topic and main idea; also focus on  the last sentence  for the conclusion and a 

possible restatement of the topic and main idea.

- Skim (read very quickly) the rest of the passage for the key words that will confirm 

the topic and main idea.

- Read the answer choices and eliminate the distractors which may have one of 

these characteristics:

a. too general

b. too specific (detailed)

c.  incorrect

d. irrelevant (not mentioned)

II. DETAIL QUESTIONS

1. Information/Factual   Questions  often   begin   with   the   phrases   “According   to   the 

passage/the author, wh- questions...”  

2. Negative Questions contain the words NOT, EXCEPT, or LEAST

- Focus on one or two key words in the question

- Scan the passage looking for the key words or related words (synonyms, word 

family)

- Carefully read the sentence in which the key words occur. (You may have to read 

the sentence preceding or following that sentence as well.)

- Choose the correct answer

III. REFERENCE QUESTIONS

1. --------------------------------- . A -------------------------------------- Initial position ---> usually read the previous sentence and find the noun that the 

referent replaces

39

2. ---------------------------------------------------------- A----------------------.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A.

- Middle/Final Position  ---> usually read the whole sentence in which the referent 

occurs 

3. This/ That     usually refer to the whole previous sentence or phrase. So, read the previous 

sentence or phrase and summarize it.

4. Another    ---> Look for  One + Noun

5. Others    ----> Look for Some/Many + Noun

6. The former/the later/ respectively   

IV. VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT

1. Look for synonyms  in the passage because the author may avoid repeating the 

same word.

2. Look for examples

- for example, for instance, such as

3. Look for contrast

- but, yet, still

- however,   nevertheless,   on   the   other 

hand, in contrast, in spite   of this

- although, even though, though, even if, 

whereas,  while, despite  the fact that, 

in spite of the fact that, except that

- not

- rather than, instead of

40

4. Focus on the general context and see if context clues in the sentence or in the 

sentences before or after can help you guess the meaning

- Literal Meaning >< Figurative meaning

Example:   * He grasped my hand firmly

        * I don’t think you have quite grasped the seriousness of the situation.

V. INFERENCE QUESTIONS

Inference Questions usually include such words as “infer, imply, suggest, guess, probably, or 

likely” or such phrases as “Why … mention?” “What …. to do next?” “Which of these ….. is 

probably true?” and “ What …..probably do?”

Answer choices to inference questions require students to

1. understand what the question is asking and know where to find the answer  in the passage

2. relate the information in the answer choice to a synonym or paraphrase of information in the 

passage; and

3. determine what is true and not true in the answer choices

• Note   :  Answer choices that contain such words as  always, never, 

all, and only are usually NOT correct.

41

LISTENING STRATEGIES

PART 1: Strategies for sentences about photographs

1. Always complete each item as quickly as possible so that you can preview the photograph for 

the next item. Don’t wait for the statement that says, “Now look at photograph number ______”

2. If   you   are   previewing   a   photograph   that   involves   a   person   or   people,   ask   yourself   these 

questions 

 What are the people doing?

 Where are they?

 Who are they? (Is there a uniform or a piece of equipment or anything else that indicates 

their profession or role?)

 What distinguishes them? (Is there a hat, a mustache, a purse, a pair of glasses, a tie or 

anything else that differentiates the people?)

 What do the people’s expressions tell you?  (Do they look happy? Unhappy? Excited? 

Bored? Upset?)    

3. If you are previewing a photograph of an object, ask yourself these questions

42

 What is it?

 What is it made of?

 What is it used for?

 Where is it?

4. I If you are previewing a photograph of a scene, ask yourself these questions

 Where is it?

 What is in the foreground (the front of the picture)?

 What – if anything – is happening?

 What is in the background (the distant part of the picture)? 

5. Don’t mark an answer until you have heard all four choices. When you hear a choice that you 

think is correct, rest your pencil on that oval on your answer sheet. If you change your 

mind and hear a sentence that you think is better, move your pencil to that choice. Once you 

have heard all four sentences, mark the oval that your pencil is resting on. (This technique helps 

you remember which choice you think is best.)

6. Try to eliminate choices with problems in

 Sound

 Meaning

 Sound & Meaning

7. Never leave any blanks. Always guess before going on to the next item.

8. As  soon  as  you  have  finished  marking  the  answer,   stop  looking at   and  thinking  about   the 

photograph and move on to the next item.

PART II: Strategies for Questions/Responses

1. Identifying time

Words you might hear in the questions Words you might hear in the answers

- When did ….

- When will/ is/ is …expected, due / be… V-ing/ can

- How long

- What time

- yesterday/ last/ ago/ in (month, year)/ this 

morning…

- at + time/ tomorrow/next/ in …/ this afternoon/ 

on (date)

- for/since/ over ….

- at…

- When did Christopher arrive?

- When will the advertising seminar begin?

- When is Maria’s birthday?

- When was Mr. Chen born?

- When will my laundry be ready?

- When does Mr. Gustavson predict the 

- Last Wednesday.

- At two o’clock sharp.

- On March 3.

- In 1953.

- In about two hours.

43

construction of the building will be 

finished?

- How long will this session last?

- How long has the photocopying machine 

been out of order?

- What time does your flight leave?

- What time is the news on television?

- In about a month.

- For another hour, perhaps.

- Since 10:00 this morning.

- At 7:30.

- It’s on at 11. 

2. Identifying people

Words you might hear in the questions Words you might hear in the answers

- Who

- Whose

- Name/ Occupation title

- A man/woman … who ….

- Possessive case (It’s + name’s)

- Who will go with you on the business 

trip?

- Who’s the new chef at the Fontaine’s 

bakery?

- Who did Mrs. Martelli pick to fill the 

position? 

- Who can deliver this memo to Mr. 

Wantanabe for me?

- Who’s going to pick him up at the 

station? 

- Whose coffee cup is this on my desk?

- Whose scarf is this?

- Ms. Preston

- A man who worked at the Central Pastry 

Shop.

- A young intern from the marketing 

department was chosen.

- I can do it when I’ve finished typing this letter.

- I was planning to.

- I was wondering where I left it!

- It’s Fran’s.

3. Identifying a thing, an action or idea

Words you might hear in the questions Words you might hear in the answers

- What …?

- What kind/type of  

 Something (…)

 I don’t know

- What do you think I should wear to the party

- What is the fine for overdue books?

- What was that loud noise I just heard?

- What kind of work does Ms. Garcia do?

- What kind of novel do you like?

- What’s the name of the travel agency this 

company uses?

- What are your total production figures for this 

factory?

- A suit and a tie.

- It’s ten cents a day.

- I don’t know.

- She’s a computer programmer.

- I prefer adventure stories.

- I think it’s called All Points Travel.

- Over 1000 units a week.

44

- What do you plan to do when school is 

finished?

- What do you estimate your firm’s profit will be 

in December?

- Work for my father.

- Optimistically speaking, about 20 

percent.

4. Identifying an opinion

Words you might hear in the questions Words you might hear in the answers

- How 

- What’s your opinion of …?

- Do you think Tom will ….?

- What do you think of ….?

 Adjectives: great/ good/ terrific/ 

excellent / wonderful/ happy/ busy/ 

terrible/ boring…

 Verbs: love/like/enjoy/prefer/believe/

 Expressions: It’s a good/great idea

- How did you like that new movie?

- What do you think of Scott Graham’s latest 

novel?

- What do you think of your new supervisor?

- I enjoyed it, but my husband didn’t.

- It’s terrific.

- I don’t know her well enough to say.

5. Identifying a choice

Words you might hear in the questions Words you might hear in the answers

- …. A or B?

- …. prefer?

- … like better?

 A/B will be repeated in the answer 

choice

 Neither one/Both, please

 Either one

Note: The speaker can offer a third option

- Which does that artist produce more of – 

paintings or sculptures?

- Will you arrive in the morning or the evening?

- Do you want milk or sugar in your coffee?

- Should I wait here at the counter or follow you 

- Lately, she has been doing a lot of 

paintings. 

- In the morning, I think.

- Neither one.

45

back to the warehouse?

- What do you think, plain or patterned carpet in 

the waiting room?

- Will the conference be held here or at the 

headquarters?

- Should they move the file cabinet to the right or 

over by the copy machine?

- Shall I put this file on your desk or back in the 

filing cabinet?

- Can you locate the files on the merger, or 

should I ask Mr. Chan to do it?  

- Oh, come with me please. 

- Either one is fine with me.

- It’s scheduled for this building.

- I think it looks good where it is.

- I’ll take it.

- I’ll have them ready for you in a minute.

6. Identifying an invitation, offer, request 

Words you might hear in the questions Words you might hear in the answers

- Why don’t we …?

- Why don’t you…?

- Don’t you want to..?

- I was wondering if you’d like to ….

- Let’s ….

- What/How about ….?

- Shouldn’t we/ Shall we …?

- Would/Wouldn’t you like me to ….?

- Can I…?

- Couldn’t you …?

 OK

 I’d love to!

 Of course 

 Sure

 That sounds like fun/ That’s a good idea/ Great, 

 Yes, please (accept the offer)

 No, thanks …. (turn down the offer)

 Thank you, but …( turn down the offer)

 Sorry, I’ve already made plans/ I have other 

plans. …( turn down the offer)

 Sorry, but ……( turn down the offer)

- Would you like to join us for a game of 

tennis?

- Would you like to order a calendar for 

next year?

- Shall we send you a reminder for your 

next dental appointment?

- Why don’t we go out this evening?

- Why don’t we take the earlier train 

home?

- How about a movie when we finish up 

here?

- Would you mind opening you bag so I 

can inspect it, sir?

- Don’t you want to go to the reception for 

Miss Gunther?

- I was wondering if you’d like to join us 

for dinner this evening?

- Couldn’t you stop at the post office 

today?

- What about visiting the flower show over 

- We’d love to – thanks!

- Thanks, but I already have one

- Yes, that would be helpful.

- Sorry, I’ve already made plans

- Great, I’m exhausted.

- That’s a good idea.

- Not at all

- Sorry, but I’m not feeling well.

- Sorry, I have other plans.

- I might have time after lunch.

- Wednesday afternoon would be better for me.

46

the weekend?

-7. Identifying a reason

Words you might hear in the questions Words you might hear in the answers

- Why  To do sth

 Because/ Because of

Note: An implied reason ( usually a certain 

problem) can be given

- Why is this train running late?

- Why didn’t you let us know you’d be 

late?

- Why did the board of directors change its 

policy?

- Why did the meeting begin so early?

- Why didn’t Mr. Danforth bring the 

situation to the attention of his 

supervisor?

- Why didn’t you get to work on time?

- Why does Ms. Ortiz want to see the 

invoices?

- I think there are mechanical problems.

- I couldn’t find a phone.

- There had been too many complaints.

- Everyone was in a hurry.

- He though he could handle it himself

- The traffic was terrible.

- There’s a problem with the shipment.

8. Identifying a description 

Words you might hear in the questions Words you might hear in the answers

- What is … like?

- What does ….look like?

- an adjective or adjectives

- What are your new co-workers like?

- What’s the weather like here in the winter?

- They seem very pleasant

- It’s cool and often rainy

9. Identifying manner or a method

47

Words you might hear in the questions Words you might hear in the answers

- How will/can..?  - By ( a means of transport …)

- With …

- How will you get to work tomorrow?

- How can we be sure that the order will arrive 

on time?

- How can I get more letterhead and 

envelopes?

- How do you handle inquiries?

- I’ll get my car back from the mechanic.

- Express service is very reliable.

- Contact Ms. McKay in the stockroom.

- I send out this pamphlet.

10. Identifying a location

Words you might hear in the questions Words you might hear in the answers

- Where…?

- How far …?

- Names of the places

- Prepositions of places (in/ next to/ near/ 

beside/ under/ over/ on/ on top of/ at/ from/ 

behind/ right/ left/ downtown / at the end of…

- … minutes away/ walk/drive

- … km

- Where should we meet so we can all go to 

the game together?

- Where are you staying ion Paris?

- Where did Maria leave the Oceanview 

contract?

- How far would you say Conrad Park is from 

here?

- Let’s meet at the stadium entrance.

- At the Grand Hotel.

- She put it in Ms. Garcia’s mailbox.

- It’s about 10-minute walk.

11. Yes/No Questions & Tag Questions

Words you might hear in the questions Words you might hear in the answers

- Do/Does/Did/ Have….?

- Don’t/ Doesn’t/ Didn’t …?  

- Yes /No/ Not

- Have they delivered our lunch yet?

- Has the director already left?

- Didn’t  anyone train the new employee to use 

the copier?

- Yes, it’s here.

- Yes, he had an appointment.

- Mike showed him everything works.

48

- Did you ask them what time their flight would 

arrive?

- Your   managing   director   resigned   yesterday, 

didn’t he?

- Wilma gets reimbursed for the cost of driving 

her car to the meting, doesn’t she?

- This new product should sell well,  shouldn’t 

it?

- You  want me to retype this document,  don’t 

you?

- You don’t want to start a new project this late 

in the day, do you?

- No, I didn’t think of it.

- Yes, it was quite a surprise.

- Yes, but she has to submit a claim form.

- Yes, it is priced fairly.

- I would appreciate it

- I still have time

Part 3: Short Conversations

I. Strategies

1. Between  each  question  is  an  eight-second  pause.   That   means  there  are  twenty-four   seconds 

between each conversation. You can accomplish quite a bit during this time. You need to mark your 

answers for the three questions and then preview the next three questions and answer choices. 

They tell you what to listen for.

49

2. While listening to each conversation, keep your eyes on the corresponding set of three questions 

and answer choices. Don't close your eyes or look away. Try to evaluate the four choices as you 

are listening.

3. Remember that distractors are sometimes mentioned in the conversations but are not answers to 

the question. Don't choose an answer just because you hear a word or two from the answer in the 

conversation.

4. If the correct answer is not obvious, try to eliminate answer choices that seem to be incorrect. If 

more than one answer choice is left, take a guess.

5. Mark your answers as quickly as possible so that you can preview the next item.

6. Never leave any answers blank. If you are not sure, always guess.

II. Question types

A. Overview questions

B. Detail questions

C. Inference question 

   A. Overview Questions

Types of over view questions Question Words

1. Questions about locations Where..?

2. Questions about occupations Who…?

3. Questions about activities What …doing?

4. Questions about topic What…talking about?

1. Questions about locations

Questions Tactics Examples

• Where are they?

• Where are the speakers?

• Where is the man/woman?

• Where   is   the   conversation 

taking place?

Listen for vocabulary that is associated 

with a certain location

- Terminal /carousel/check-in/departure 

lounge/ gate/ hangar /run-way  Airport 

- Rolls/cake/bread  Bakery

- Stage/cast/scene/box office/  Theater

- Chain/ring/necklace/bracelet  Jewelry 

M: We don’t have any 

reservations. Is it still 

possible for us to get a 

table for two?

F: You’re in luck — a party 

of two just canceled their 

reservations. We can seat 

50

store

- Menu/terminal/keyboard  Computer 

store

- Bulldozer/hard hat/crane  

Construction site

- Dryer/hangars/detergent  Laundromat

- Pen/envelopes/letterhead/postcard  

Post office 

- Account/balance/statement /checkbook / 

deposit/credit/loan/ interest rates  

Bank      

- Surf/towel/umbrella/wave/sunbathe  

Beach  

- Lawyer/judge/witness/defendant/plaintiff/ 

jury  Courtroom

- Spectators/ cheer/ clap/ match/ player  

Stadium 

- Lane/driver/exit  Freeway

- Suite/front desk/reservation/ room/ 

receptionist/room service/ housekeeper 

 Hotel

- Waiter/waitress/bill/menu/order/table/ 

seat/ reservation  Restaurant   

you in about fifteen or 

twenty minutes.

M: Great! I was worried, 

but I guess this is our lucky 

night!

Where are they?

A. At a theater

B. At a party

C. At an airport

D. At a restaurant

2.   Questions about occupations

Questions Tactics Examples

• Who is the man/woman?

• Who are they?

• What is he/she?

• What are they?

• What   is   the   man/woman’s 

profession / occupation/jon?

Listen for vocabulary that is associated 

with a certain occupation

- Kitchen/pot/knife  Cook

- Parking tickets/law/illegal/fine     Police 

officer

- Class/exam/student  Teacher

- Software/keyboard/monitor  Computer 

M1: There’s something 

wrong with this switch. Can 

you fix it?

M2: It’s not just the switch, 

I’m afraid. This whole 

building needs rewiring.

M1: But that will cost a 

51

programmer

- Money/deposit/withdrawal  Bank teller

- Order/tip/guests  Waiter

- Runner/training/game  Athlete 

- Medicine/nurse/hospital/patient  

Doctor

- Instrument/orchestra/note  Musician

- Stage/drama/theater  Actor

- Passenger/Fare/Tip  Taxi driver

- Cash register/change/receipt  Sales 

clerk

- Newspaper/write/report/article  

Journalist     

- Switch/rewiring/ fix  Electrician

- Pipe/sink/faucet/leak/drip/fix  Plumber

- Wood/furniture/ saw/ plane/ chisels/ 

hammer/nail  Carpenter

fortune!

Who is the second 

speaker?

A. An 

electri

cian

B. A 

banke

r

C. An 

engine

er

D. A 

jewele

F: I want to put a new deck 

on the back of my house. 

Do you know anyone who 

does that kind of work?

M: Why don’t you ask 

Thomas? He did a great 

job repairing the wooden 

stairway in my house.

F: I asked him, but he’s 

working on a new 

construction job.

Who is Tomas?

A. A sailor

B. A mechanic

C. A plumber

D. A carpenter

3. Questions about activities

Questions Tactics Examples

52

• What are they doing?

• What is happening now?

• What is the man doing?

• What is going to happen?

Listen for vocabulary that is associated 

with a certain activity

- Drinking coffee: cup, spoon, sugar, 

cream, coffee break

- Watching a movie: film, screen, theater, 

popcorn   

- Going to the post office: mail, stamps, 

postal clerk, letter, package 

- Reading a book: novel, pages, cover, 

character 

- Making a telephone call: number, 

receiver, dial, answer, hang up

- Using a computer: keyboard, monitor, 

screen, software, crash 

- Ordering food at a restaurant: menu, 

waiter, waitress, table, drink 

- Buying clothes: suit, pants, dress, skirt, 

jeans, dressing room

- Eating dinner: 

- Waiting for a bus:

- Moving furniture:

- Buying a plane ticket:

- Parking a car:

- Driving a car:

M: I’ve been waiting here 

15 minutes. How often do 

the buses come?

W: One stops here every 

twenty minutes

M: Good, we only have five 

minutes to wait, then.

  

What are the speakers 

doing?

A. Getting on a bus

B. Waiting for a bus

C. Taking a taxi

D. Paying a fare

4. Questions about topics

Questions Tactics Examples

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• What/ whom are they discussing?

• What are they referring to?

• What   is   the   topic   of   the 

conversation?

• What are they talking about?

• What is the conversation about?

• What   is   the   subject   of   the 

conversation

- Listen   for   vocabulary  that  is 

associated with a certain topic. 

- The   answer   choices   will   be 

four plausible topics. Incorrect 

answers   may   include   details 

that   are   mentioned   in   the 

conversation but that are not 

the   main   subject   of   the 

conversation

W: Is there a dress code 

at your company?

M: No, but most of the 

men wear coats and 

ties, and the women 

wear dresses or suits.

W: Oh, it’s pretty formal 

then.

What are they discussing

A. A new outfit that the 

woman is wearing

B. How people dress at 

the man’s company

C. Where to buy clothes 

for work

D. A social event that 

the man attended

B. Detail Questions

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Types of over view 

questions

Question Words Examples

1. Questions about  time • When….?

• How often…?

• At what time…?

• How long…?

When does  Claudia  want to go 

to the play?

A. Monday

B. Wednesday

C. Thursday

D. Saturday

W1:  I need to call the theater to 

order tickets for Wednesday.

W2:  Why don’t you see the play 

over the weekend Claudia?

W1: It runs only Monday through 

Thursday.  

2. Questions about reasons • Why did … happen…?

• Why is the man/woman going 

to…?

• Why   does   the   man/woman 

want to…?

• Why is the man/woman upset/ 

happy/ puzzled…?

• Why did … not happen?

• Why does the man/woman not 

want to…?

Why is Mrs. Sompong leaving?

A. To join another company

B. To start her own business

C. To enter a race

D. To   have   a   break   from 

working

M:  Do   you   hear   about   Mrs. 

Sompong’s resignation?

W:  Yes.  Our competitors  made 

her an offer she couldn’t resist.

M:  I’ll   wonder   if   they’ll  appoint 

her   as   their  new  marketing 

manager?  

3. Questions about plans • What   is   the   man/woman 

planning/going to do?

• What   does   the   man/woman 

plan to do next?

• What   plan   has   been 

suggested?

• What   does   the   man/woman 

plan to do? 

What is the woman going to do?

A. Sell the camera

B. Pay by check

C. Fill out a form

D. Write   her   name   on   the 

card

M: And how would you like to pay 

for the camera?

W: Could I write you a check?

M: Certainly. I’ll need some form 

of identification or a major credit 

card.

4. Questions about  • What is the matter with …? What is Ms. Kim worried about?

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problems • What is the problem here?

• What’s wrong with

• What is the man/woman 

concerned/ worried about?

• What is the man/woman’s 

problem?

• What is bothering the 

man/woman?

A. Whether she has enough 

money for her vacation.

B. Whether she returned the 

book on labor dispute.

C. Whether the airline will be 

operating or not.

D. Whether her union will get 

higher wages.

M: Are you all set for your 

vacation on Friday, Ms. Kim?

W: Yes, but now I’m waiting to 

see if the airline we’ve booked 

our return flight on will go out on 

strike that day.

M: Oh yes. I head that’s a 

possibility. The company claims it 

has no money to meet the 

union’s demands.

5. Questions about 

opinions

• What   does   the   man/   woman 

think of/ about …?

• What   is   the   man/woman’s 

opinion of …?

• How   does   the   man/woman 

feel about …? 

6. Questions about advice • What   is   the   man/woman’s 

suggestion? 

• What   does   the   man/woman 

advise … to do?

• What   is   the   man/woman 

suggesting?

• What   is   the   man/woman’s 

advice?  

What does Martha advise Dan to 

do?

A. make   a   better   work 

schedule

B. Walk to the office

C. Turn on the lights

D. Give a shorter report

M:  I’ll   never   get   this   report 

finished before the weekend.

W:  You’ve   got   to   allocate   your 

time more carefully, Dan.

M:  I   guess   you’re   right.   I’ll 

probably wind up working at the 

office all night again.

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(See the strategies for part 2)

C. Inference Questions

Questions Tactics Examples

• What does the man/woman imply?

• What is the man/woman saying 

about …?

• What can be said about…?

• What is known about …?

• What can be inferred from the 

conversation?

• What does the man/woman mean?

• What is probably true about?

• What are they likely to…?

- The answers for inference 

questions are not directly stated 

in the conversations. Instead you 

have to draw a conclusion based 

on the information that is 

presented by the speakers.  

- Read the question carefully and 

focus on one or two key words    

- Listen for key words that help you 

make a logical conclusion

What are they likely to eat 

out for lunch? 

A. Soup

B. Salad

C. Sandwiches

D. Hamburgers 

M: I’ve heard nothing but 

praise for that new health 

food restaurant.

W: Same here. And I’ve 

got a coupon for the salad 

bar – buy one, get one 

free.

M: I’m always looking to 

save some money. Let’s 

check it out for lunch

      

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