TOEFL PREPARATION 3

PREPOSITIONS OF TIME
One point of time
at
to designate specific times
on to designate days and dates
in
for nonspecific times during a day, a month, a
season, or a year
The train is due at 12:15 p.m.
My brother is coming on Monday
Americans are having a party on the Fourth of July
She likes to jog in the morning
He started the job in 1971
Extended time: since, for, during, within, from to, through
Sequence of time:
before, after
PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE
at
in
on
to show a specific place or position
to show that something is enclosed or surrounded
& to show position within land-areas (towns,
counties, states, countries, and continents)
to show position on a horizontal or vertical surface &
to show position on streets, roads, etc
at in on
at the corner in the garden on the wall
at the bus stop in London on the ceiling
at the door in France on the door
at the end of the road in my pocket on the floor
at the entrance in my wallet on the carpet
at the crossroads in a building on the menu
at the front desk in a car on a page
>> Look at these examples:
Jane is waiting for you at the bus stop.
The shop is at the end of the street.
My plane stopped at Dubai and Hanoi and arrived in Bangkok two
hours late.
When will you arrive at the office?
Do you work in an office?
I have a meeting in New York.
Do you live in Japan?
Jupiter is in the Solar System.
The author's name is on the cover of the book.
There are no prices on this menu.
You are standing on my foot.
There was a "no smoking" sign on the wall.
I live on the 7th floor at 21 Oxford Street in London.
No Prepositions: downstairs, downtown, upstairs,
uptown
PREPOSITIONS INDICATING DIRECTION
from, to, towards, into, out of, up, down, around, through
No prepositions: home, downtown, uptown, inside, outside,
downstairs, upstairs
Grandma went upstairs
Grandpa went home
They both went outside
PREPOSITIONS INDICATING DEGREE
at, over, below, about, above, around, under, to
PREPOSITIONS WITH VERBS, ADJECTIVES, NOUNS
VERBS and Prepositions
A combination of verb and preposition is called a phrasal verb
apologize
for
ask about
ask for
belong
to
bring
up
care for
find out
give up
grow up
look up
look for
look forward to
make up
pay for
prepare for
study for
talk about
think about
trust in
work for
worry about
Prepositions are sometimes so firmly wedded to other words that
they have practically become one word.
PREPOSITIONS WITH VERBS, ADJECTIVES, NOUNS
ADJECTIVES and Prepositions
afraid of
angry at
aware
of
capable of
careless
about
familiar with
fond of
happy about
interested in
married to
jealous
of
made of
proud of
similar to
sorry for
sure of
tired of
worried
about
NOUNS and Prepositions
approval of
awareness
of
aware
of
believe in
concern for
love of
confusion
about
desire for
grasp of
fondness for
hatred of
hope for
interest in
reason for
success in
respect for
Phrasal verbs
a. Separable phrasal verbs
The object may come after the following phrasal verbs or it may
separate the two parts:
You have to do this paint job over
You have to do over this paint job
When the object of the following phrasal verbs is a pronoun, the
two parts of the phrasal verb must be separated:
You have to do it over
a. Separable phrasal verbs
a. Separable phrasal verbs
a. Separable phrasal verbs
b. Inseparable phrasal verbs (transitive)
With the following phrasal verbs, the lexical part of the verb (the part
of the phrasal verb that carries the "verb-meaning") cannot be
separated from the prepositions (or other parts) that accompany it.
b. Inseparable phrasal verbs (transitive)
c. Intransitive phrasal verbs
The following phrasal verbs are not followed by an object: "Once you
leave home, you can never really go back again."
c. Intransitive phrasal verbs
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, a noun or pronoun
that serves as the object of the preposition.
A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition, ends with an object,
and may have modifiers between the preposition and object of the
preposition.
Prepositional phrases usually tell when or where.
The book on the table in the English classroom is Barbara's book.
example
Prepositional phrase
Large blocks of the hardest granite form the walls of the new building.
Prepositional phrase
Dont be confused with the objects of prepositions with the subjects
of sentences. Make sure that therere no double subjects.
Do you still remember ?
I was awakened by wolves which were howling last night
I was awakened by wolves howling last night
None of the people who were injured in the accident can leave the
hospital
None of the people injured in the accident can leave the hospital
Are there dogs which are wandering around outside?
Are there dogs wandering around outside?
Is there a car which is parked next to mine?
Is there a car parked next to mine?
REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSES
How?
By omitting the relative pronouns (who, which, that) and the verb be
By changing the verb into a present or past participle or an infinitive
Present participle (-ing) for active meaning
Past participle (-ed) for passive meaning
Other examples
People who buy lottery tickets are often found at bingo.
People buying lottery tickets are often found at bingo
The students who were waiting for their funding from the government
were disappointed.
The students waiting for their funding from the government were
disappointed.
Those students who want to go to Big White for snowboarding need to
pay soon.
Those students wanting to go to Big White for snowboarding need
to pay soon.
However
Hobbies and repeated actions cannot take this construction:
People who play golf are always prepared for inclement weather.
compare: The people playing golf today are getting wet from all the rain.
Students who dont practice their English dont improve very quickly.
compare: Students not practicing their English during class time today
will be punished.
You must remember these, too
After he took lessons, George could drive the car well
After taking lessons, George could drive the car well
Because he isnt able to swim, Billy drowned
Not being able to swim, Billy drowned
I fell asleep while I was watching TV
I fell asleep while watching TV
REDUCED ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
How?
By omitting the subject and the verb
By changing the verb into a present or past participle
Other examples
Because she lacked the necessary qualifications, she was not hired
for a job.
Lacking the necessary qualifications, she was not hired for the job.
Since she came to to San Bernardino, Yih-Ping has made many friends.
Since coming to San Bernardino, Yih-Ping has made many friends.
How about these ?
Should I come to the party?
I dont know about it
I dont know whether I should come
to the party or not
I dont know whether to come to the
party or not
What can I do to solve the
problem?
I dont know about it
I dont know what I can do to solve
the problem
I dont know what to do to solve the
problem
REDUCED NOUN CLAUSES
How?
By omitting the subject and changing the verb into an infinitive
A team of physicians at Harvard University is sure of what method
they should use to treat leukemia.
A team of physicians at Harvard University is sure of what method to
use to treat leukemia.
Combine the two sentences into ONE sentence, choosing the
correct REDUCED ADVERB CLAUSE
1. I was driving past the bank. I saw Jeffrey.
I saw Jeffrey ________________.
a. after driving past the bank
b. before driving past the bank
c. while driving past the bank
2. I was camping in the Mojave Desert. I saw lots of snakes.
I saw lots of snakes ________________ in the Mojave desert.
a. before camping
b. after camping
c. while camping
3. She knew I didn't have any money. She paid for my meal.
________________, she paid for my meal.
a. While knowing that I didn't have any money
b. Knowing that I didn't have any money
c. Upon knowing that I didn't have any money
4. She was worried about her son. She called the police.
________________, she called the police.
a. Before worrying about her son
b. Worried about her son
c. While worrying about her son
5. He looked at her. He was hoping she would say something.
He looked at her, ________________.
a. hoping she would say something
b. before hoping she would say something
c. since hoping she would say something
6. Brush you teeth. After that, go to bed.
>> Don't go to bed before brushing your teeth.
7. He finished his homework. He went to bed.
>> After finishing his homework, he went to bed.
8. I finished the book. I lent it to my sister.
>> After finishing the book, I lent it to my sister.
9. He came to The United States. He has gained 10 pounds.
>> He has gained 10 pounds since coming to the United States.
ADVERB CLAUSES
Adverb clauses are dependent clauses that function as adverb.
They may come at the beginning, or in the middle, or at the end of
the sentence.
Subordinate conjunctions, which begin the adverb clauses, indicate
the various relationships of the information in the adverb clauses.
TIME
PLACE
REASON
CONDITION
CONTRAST
MANNER
PURPOSE
RESULT
COMPARISON
ADVERB CLAUSES OF TIME
AFTER a) After she graduates, she will get
a job.
b) George could drive the car well
after he took lessons.
BEFORE c) I will leave before he comes.
d) I had dinner before I went to
LIA.
WHEN e) When I arrived, he was talking
on the phone.
f) When it began to rain, I stood
under a tree.
g) When I see him, I will ask him.
When = at that time
WHILE

AS
h) While I was walking home, it
began to rain.
i) As I was walking home, it began
to rain.
While, as = during that
time
BY THE TIME j) By the time he arrived, we had
already left.
By the time = one event
is completed before
another event
ADVERB CLAUSES OF TIME
SINCE k) I havent seen him since he
left this morning.
Since = from that time
to the present
UNTIL

TILL
l) We stayed there until we
finished our work.
m) We stayed there till we
finished our work.
Until, till = to that time
and then no longer
Till is used primarily in
speaking.
AS SOON AS

ONCE
n) As soon as it stops raining, we
will leave.
o) Once it stops raining, we will
leave.
As soon as, once = when
one event happens,
another event happens
soon afterwards
AS LONG AS

SO LONG AS
p) I will never speak to him again
as long as I live.
q) I will never speak to him again
so long as I live.
As long as, so long as =
during all that time,
from beginning to end
WHENEVER

EVERY TIME
r) Whenever I see her, I say
hello.
s) Every time I see her, I say
hello.
Whenever = every time
THE FIRST TIME t) The first time I went to New
York, I went to an opera.
ADVERB CLAUSES OF REASON
BECAUSE a) Because he was sleepy, he
went to bed.
SINCE b) Since hes not interested in
classical music, he decided not
to go to the concert.
Since = because
NOW THAT

c) Now that the semester is
finished, Im going to rest a
few days and take a trip.
Now that = because now
Now that is used for
present and future
situations.
AS

d) As she had nothing in
particular to do, she called up
a friend and asked her if she
wanted to take in a movie.
As = because
INASMUCH AS

e) Inasmuch as the two
government leaders could not
reach an agreement, the
possibilities for peace are still
remote.
Inasmuch as = because
Inasmuch as is usually
found only in formal
writing and speech.
ADVERB CLAUSES OF PURPOSE
SO THAT a) I turned off the TV so that my
roommate could study in
peace and quiet.
b) I turned off the TV in order to
enable my roommate to study
in peace and quiet.
So that expresses
purpose. It expresses the
same meaning as in
order to.

IN ORDER TO c) He came here in order to
study English.
d) He came here to study
English.
In order to is used to
express purpose. It
answers the question
Why. In order to is
often omitted as in d)
IN ORDER THAT e) I turned off the TV in order
that my roommate could
study in peace and quiet.
In order that has the
same meaning with so
that.
ADVERB CLAUSES OF RESULT
SO THAT a) The weather was so nice that
we went to the zoo.
b) The coffee is so hot that I cant
drink it.
c) He walked so quickly that I
couldnt keep up with him.
So that encloses an
adjective or adverb.
so + adj + that
or
so + adv + that
d) She made so many mistakes
that she failed the exam.
e) He had so little trouble with
with the test that he left
twenty minutes early.
So that is used with
many, few, much, and
little.
SUCH THAT f) It was such nice weather that
we went to the zoo.
g) It was such good coffee that I
had another cup.
h) It was such a foggy day that
we couldnt see the road.
Such that encloses a
modified noun:
Such + adj + noun + that
ADVERB CLAUSES OF CONTRAST
EVEN THOUGH

ALTHOUGH

THOUGH

DESPITE

IN SPITE OF
a) Even though the weather was
cold, I went swimming.
b) Although it was cold, I went
swimming.
c) Though it was cold, I went
swimming.
d) I went swimming despite the
cold weather.
e) I went swimming in spite of
the cold weather.
Even though is used to
express unexpected
results.
WHEREAS



WHILE
f) Mary is rich, whereas John is
poor.
g) Whereas Mary is rich, John is
poor.
h) Mary is rich, while John is
poor.
Whereas and while are
used to express direct
opposition.
ADVERB CLAUSES OF MANNER
AS IF
LIKE


AS THOUGH
a) It looks as if it is going to rain.
b) It looks like rain.
c) It looks like it is going to rain
(informal)
d) It looks as though it is going to
rain.
Like is followed by a
noun object.
As if/as though is
followed by a clause.
AS IF



AS THOUGH
e) He spends money as if he
owned a bank.
f) She talked to him as if he were
a child.
g) He acted as though he had
never met her.
Usually the idea
following as if/as
though is untrue.
The verb usage is similar
to that in conditional
sentences.
1. ________ the dolphin lives in the sea, it is not a fish it's a mammal.
a. although
b. after
c. so that
d. whether
2. The five-cent coin looks very Canadian ________ it has a picture of a beaver on it.
a. though
b. before
c. so that
d. since
3. You may get malaria ________ you are bitten by a mosquito.
a. though
b. if
c. so that
d. while
Choose the correct conjunctions for each sentence
4. We keep our bread in the fridge ________ it doesn't go bad.
a. so that
b. although
c. because
d. whether
5. You shouldn't drive ________ drinking alcohol.
a. after
b. if
c. in order that
d. even though
6. ________ Volkswagen cars are cheap, they last a long time.
a. because
b. after
c. in order that
d. although
7. You need proper shoes to go hiking in the mountains ________ the ground is
rough and hard.
a. even though
b. before
c. because
d. in order that
8. Hockey players wear lots of protective clothing ________ they don't get hurt.
a. because
b. in order that
c. after
d. though
9. You should give the iron time to heat up ________ you iron your clothes.
a. because
b. although
c. before
d. so that
10. Ellen took a nap when she got home from work. Ellen had had a very difficult day.
>> Ellen took a nap when she got home from work because she had had a very
difficult day.
11. The price of gasoline has doubled in the last three years. The price of crude oil
had risen.
>> The price of gasoline has doubled in the last three years because the price of crude
oil had risen.
12. Joshua is skinny. He eats lots of fattening junk food.
>> Joshua is skinny although eats lots of fattening junk food.
13. Scrabble is a word game. Sudoku is a number game.
>> Scrabble is a word game while Sudoku is a number game.
14. Nona moved back to Nebraska. She has had a lot of problems with allergies.
>> Since Nona moved back to Nebraska, she has had a lot of problems with allergies.
15. You should say goodbye to your brother. You leave for Europe.
>> You should say goodbye to your brother before you leave for Europe.
Combine the sentences using the correct conjunctions
16. I'll let you know. I come back.
>> I'll let you know after I come back.
17. He spoke slowly. She would understand.
>> He spoke slowly so that she would understand.
18. You stop crying. I'll buy you an ice cream.
>> If you stop crying, I'll buy you an ice cream.
19. Bob works hard. His boss rarely rewards him.
>> Although Bob works hard, his boss rarely rewards him.
20. I go to that mall. I have a hard time finding a parking place.
>> Whenever I go to that mall, I have a hard time finding a parking place.
21. The comedian told jokes in the den. A singer performed in the living room.
>> While the comedian told jokes in the den, a singer performed in the living
room.
Decide whether these sentences are True or False & correct them
1. You should give the iron time to heat up so that you iron your clothes.
>> You should give the iron time to heat up before you iron your clothes.
2. You need proper shoes to go hiking in the mountains even tough the
ground is rough and hard.
>> You need proper shoes to go hiking in the mountains because/since the
ground is rough and hard.
3. Hockey players wear lots of protective clothing in order that they
don't get hurt.
4. You will have to pay higher insurance if you buy a sports car.
5. No one may leave the area whereas the police have checked all of
the buildings.
>> No one may leave the area until the police have checked all of the
buildings.
6. Yusuf went back to Saudi Arabia because he needed to take care of
some business in his company.
Decide whether these sentences are True or False & correct them
7. After we remodeled our house, we moved to Hawaii.
8. I was late to the meeting yesterday when I couldn't find my keys.
>> I was late to the meeting yesterday because I couldn't find my keys.
9. Although the ozone levels are high, they were still not dangerous.
>> Although the ozone levels are high, they are still not dangerous.
10. Since I made a 100 on this test, Mrs. Weaver will jump for joy!
>> Since I made a 100 on this test, Mrs. Weaver jumped for joy!
11. He spoke slowly in order to she would understand.
>> He spoke slowly in order that she would understand.
12. Since I came to this country, I didn't speak a word of English!
>> Before I came to this country, I didn't speak a word of English!
13. Since my father has high blood pressure, he has to watch what he eats.
When you present information in a series, it must be stated in the
same grammatical forms parallel structure
Sylvia asked to borrow a , , and .
Sylvia needs to , , and .
An error occurs when the grammatical structure of one or more of
the items doesnt match the others, like:
Problem with parallel structures
To maintain parallelism, you must list items with equal grammatical
structure
Sylvia asked to borrow a , , and .
Sylvia smiled , , and .
Use parallel structure with coordinate conjunctions
The job of the coordinate conjunctions (and, but, or) is to
join together equal expressions what is on one side of
these words must be parallel to what is on the other side.
These conjunctions can join:
nouns
I need to talk to the manager or the assistant.
She is not a teacher but a businesswoman.
verbs
He only eats and sleeps when he takes a vacation.
You can stay home or go to the movies with us.
adjectives
My boss is sincere and nice.
The exam that he gave us was short but difficult.
phrases
There are students in the classroom and in front of the
building.
The papers are on my desk or in the drawer.
clauses
They are not interested in what you say or what you do.
I am here because I have to be and because I want to be.
Use parallel structure with paired conjunctions
The paired conjunctions both and, either or, neither
nor, and not only but also require parallel structure.
I know both where you went and what you did.
Either Mark or Sue has the book.
The tickets are neither in my pocket nor in my purse.
He is not only an excellent student but also an outstanding
athlete.
The following is not parallel:
He wants either to go by train or by plane.
Correction:
He wants either to go by train or to go by plane.
He wants to go either by train or by plane.
He wants to go by either train or plane.
Use parallel structure with comparisons
When you make a comparison, you point out the
similarities or differences between two things, and those
similarities or differences must be in parallel form.
You can recognize a comparison showing how two things are
different from the er than or the more than.
My school is farther than your school.
What is written is more easily understood than what is spoken.
A comparison showing how two things are the same might
contain as as or expressions such as the same as or similar
to.
Renting those apartments costs about the same as leasing
them.
The work that I did is similar to the work that you did.
Practice
1) After retirement he plans on traveling to exotic locations, dine in
the finest restaurant, and playing a lot of golf.
2) She was both surprised by and pleased with the seminar.
3) What came after the break was even more boring than had come
before.
4) He exercised not only in the morning, but he also exercised every
afternoon.
5) Sam is always good-natured, generous, and helps you.
6) His research for the thesis was more useful than hers.
7) Dining in a restaurant is more fun than to eat at home.
8) The movie was neither amusing nor was it interesting.
9) According to the syllabus, you can either write a paper or you can
take an exam.
10) What you did today should be the same as did yesterday.
11) Music in your country is quite similar to my country.
12) You had less homework that they do.
Check your answers
1) After retirement he plans on traveling to exotic locations, dining in
the finest restaurant, and playing a lot of golf.
2) She was both surprised by and pleased with the seminar.
3) What came after the break was even more boring than what had
come before.
4) He exercised not only in the morning but also in the afternoon.
5) Sam is always good-natured, generous, and helpful to you.
6) His research for the thesis was more useful than hers.
7) Dining in a restaurant is more fun than eating at home.
8) The movie was neither amusing nor interesting.
9) According to the syllabus, you can either write a paper or take an
exam.
10) What you did today should be the same as what you did yesterday.
11) Music in your country is quite similar to music in my country.
12) You have less homework that they do.