TOEFLwriting

TOEFL Build a Sentence

Reorder words and phrases to build grammatically correct and meaningful sentences.

8-10 minutes
TOEFL iBT (Score 0-30)

What is this question type?

Build a Sentence tests your understanding of English sentence structure, word order, and grammar. You are given a set of words and phrases that must be arranged into a correct sentence. This assesses your knowledge of subject-verb-object order, modifier placement, clause structure, and punctuation.

Winning Strategy

  1. 1

    Identify the subject and main verb first — these form the core of the sentence

  2. 2

    Look for capital letters and full stops to identify the start and end of the sentence

  3. 3

    Group phrases that naturally go together (prepositional phrases, noun phrases)

  4. 4

    Place time and place adverbials in natural positions — usually at the end or beginning of the sentence

  5. 5

    Read the completed sentence aloud in your head to check it sounds natural

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Placing adjectives after nouns (common for speakers of Romance languages)

  • Putting adverbs in the wrong position — frequency adverbs go before the main verb

  • Separating phrasal verbs from their particles incorrectly

  • Forgetting that English requires subject-verb-object word order in statements

  • Not checking subject-verb agreement in the completed sentence

Tips for Success

  • Study common English sentence patterns: S+V, S+V+O, S+V+O+O, S+V+C

  • Practice identifying different types of phrases and their typical positions

  • Learn the rules for ordering multiple adjectives before a noun

  • Pay attention to conjunctions and how they connect clauses

  • Read extensively to develop an intuitive feel for natural word order

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sentences do I need to build?
The number varies but typically you'll complete several sentences in the allotted time.
Are the words in random order?
Yes, the words and phrases are scrambled and you must arrange them into a grammatically correct sentence.
What grammar is tested?
All aspects of sentence structure including word order, clause combination, modifier placement, and basic punctuation.

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TOEFL Build a Sentence - Complete Study Guide for Test of English as a Foreign Language

Build a Sentence tests your understanding of English sentence structure, word order, and grammar. You are given a set of words and phrases that must be arranged into a correct sentence. This assesses your knowledge of subject-verb-object order, modifier placement, clause structure, and punctuation.

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Identify the subject and main verb first — these form the core of the sentence
  2. Look for capital letters and full stops to identify the start and end of the sentence
  3. Group phrases that naturally go together (prepositional phrases, noun phrases)
  4. Place time and place adverbials in natural positions — usually at the end or beginning of the sentence
  5. Read the completed sentence aloud in your head to check it sounds natural

Avoid These Mistakes

  • Placing adjectives after nouns (common for speakers of Romance languages)
  • Putting adverbs in the wrong position — frequency adverbs go before the main verb
  • Separating phrasal verbs from their particles incorrectly
  • Forgetting that English requires subject-verb-object word order in statements
  • Not checking subject-verb agreement in the completed sentence

Expert Tips

  • Study common English sentence patterns: S+V, S+V+O, S+V+O+O, S+V+C
  • Practice identifying different types of phrases and their typical positions
  • Learn the rules for ordering multiple adjectives before a noun
  • Pay attention to conjunctions and how they connect clauses
  • Read extensively to develop an intuitive feel for natural word order

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sentences do I need to build?

The number varies but typically you'll complete several sentences in the allotted time.

Are the words in random order?

Yes, the words and phrases are scrambled and you must arrange them into a grammatically correct sentence.

What grammar is tested?

All aspects of sentence structure including word order, clause combination, modifier placement, and basic punctuation.

Available in: TOEFL iBT (Score 0-30)

Time allowed: 8-10 minutes