TOEFL Grammar: Basic verb forms 10 easy-level rules, each shown with a correct sentence, the mistake learners most often make instead, and the TOEFL tasks where it counts.
Test Ninjas Research · Updated October 1, 2026
Third-person -s, past-tense forms and the base verb after do, did and modals. These are the endings that slip first under time pressure, and they are also the ones a careful listener or reader notices. Getting them automatic frees attention for ideas when you speak.
Part of the
TOEFL grammar guide : 120 rules in 12 topics. The cards are original teaching material checked against the linked references; they are not an ETS syllabus.
The rules 1. Third-person present In the simple present, a singular he, she, or it subject normally takes a verb ending in s.
Correct She reviews the notes each week.
Common trap · incorrect She review the notes each week.
What goes wrong: the trap uses “review” where the correct sentence has “reviews”, so it no longer follows the rule.
Matters for: Complete the Words · Build a Sentence · Take an Interview
Source: Present simple
2. Plural present be Use are with a plural present-time subject.
Correct The instructions are clear.
Common trap · incorrect The instructions is clear.
What goes wrong: the trap uses “is” where the correct sentence has “are”, so it no longer follows the rule.
Matters for: Complete the Words · Build a Sentence · Take an Interview
Source: Be
3. Singular present have Use has with a third-person singular subject in the present.
Correct The course has three units.
Common trap · incorrect The course have three units.
What goes wrong: the trap uses “have” where the correct sentence has “has”, so it no longer follows the rule.
Matters for: Complete the Words · Build a Sentence · Take an Interview
Source: Have
4. Does plus base verb After does or does not, use the base form of the main verb.
Correct He does not need a key.
Common trap · incorrect He does not needs a key.
What goes wrong: the trap uses “needs” where the correct sentence has “need”, so it no longer follows the rule.
Matters for: Complete the Words · Build a Sentence · Take an Interview
Source: Present simple
5. Regular past events Use the past form for a completed event at a stated past time.
Correct They mailed the forms yesterday.
Common trap · incorrect They mail the forms yesterday.
What goes wrong: the trap uses “mail” where the correct sentence has “mailed”, so it no longer follows the rule.
Matters for: Complete the Words · Build a Sentence · Take an Interview
Source: Past simple
6. Irregular past forms Learn common past forms that do not follow the regular ed pattern.
Correct She went to the office yesterday.
Common trap · incorrect She goed to the office yesterday.
What goes wrong: the trap uses “goed” where the correct sentence has “went”, so it no longer follows the rule.
Matters for: Complete the Words · Build a Sentence · Take an Interview
Source: Verbs and verb phrases: typical errors
7. Did plus base verb After did in a question, use the base form of the main verb.
Correct Did you receive the email?
Common trap · incorrect Did you received the email?
What goes wrong: the trap uses “received” where the correct sentence has “receive”, so it no longer follows the rule.
Matters for: Complete the Words · Build a Sentence · Take an Interview
Source: Questions: yes-no questions
8. Present progressive form Use be plus an ing form for an action in progress now.
Correct The tutor is meeting a student now.
Common trap · incorrect The tutor meeting a student now.
What goes wrong: the trap leaves out “is”, so it no longer follows the rule.
Matters for: Complete the Words · Build a Sentence · Take an Interview
Source: Present continuous
9. Modal plus base verb After can, could, may, should, or must, use the base verb without s or to.
Correct We can meet after class.
Common trap · incorrect We can meets after class.
What goes wrong: the trap uses “meets” where the correct sentence has “meet”, so it no longer follows the rule.
Matters for: Complete the Words · Build a Sentence · Take an Interview
Source: Modality: forms
10. Want plus to-infinitive Use to plus a base verb after want when naming a desired action.
Correct I want to join the workshop.
Common trap · incorrect I want join the workshop.
What goes wrong: the trap leaves out “to”, so it no longer follows the rule.
Matters for: Complete the Words · Build a Sentence · Take an Interview
Source: Verb patterns: verb + infinitive or -ing
Previous ← Nouns and determiners Next Questions and everyday word order → Other grammar topics
Frequently Asked Questions Which TOEFL tasks test basic verb forms? + No task names grammar topics, but these rules matter most in Complete the Words, Build a Sentence, Take an Interview. Build a Sentence rewards correct word order and forms directly; in emails, discussion posts and spoken answers, errors here make your meaning harder to follow.
Are these official TOEFL grammar rules? + No. ETS does not publish a grammar syllabus. These are original Test Ninjas teaching cards based on standard English usage, with links to the reference pages each rule was checked against.
How should I practice these rules? + Read the rule, then cover the correct sentence and try to fix the trap yourself. Next, write one new sentence of your own that follows the rule, ideally about a campus or class situation.