TOEFL PBT Written Expression: Mastering Nouns and Noun Phrases

Are you ready to take on the TOEFL PBT and boost your chances of success? If so, there’s one section you don’t want to overlook: Written Expression. It’s all about spotting and fixing grammar mistakes, especially when it comes to nouns and noun phrases. These might seem straightforward, but they can be tricky if you’re not paying attention. No worries! Master nouns and noun phrases with this clear, practical guide, spot common mistakes, learn smart strategies, and boost your score with confidence. Let’s get started!

Understanding Nouns and Noun Phrases

A noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. Nouns can function as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence. A noun phrase consists of a noun and its modifiers, which can include adjectives, determiners (e.g., a, an, the), and other descriptors.

Types of Nouns

Common vs. Proper Nouns
- Common nouns: Refer to general things (e.g., book, city, teacher).
- Proper nouns: Refer to specific names (e.g., Shakespeare, Paris, Mr. Smith). Proper nouns are always capitalized.
Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns
- Countable nouns: Can be singular or plural (e.g., apple/apples, table/tables).
- Uncountable nouns: Cannot be counted individually (e.g., information, advice, furniture).
Singular vs. Plural Nouns
- Most plural nouns are formed by adding -s or -es (e.g., dogs, boxes).
- Some nouns have irregular plural forms (e.g., child → children, foot → feet).
Possessive Nouns
- Singular nouns: Add ’s (e.g., the student’s book).
- Plural nouns: Add ’ if they already end in s (e.g., the teachers’ lounge).

Common Errors with Nouns and Noun Phrases in TOEFL PBT

1. Incorrect Singular and Plural Forms

❌ She bought two luggages for the trip.
✅ She bought two pieces of luggage for the trip.

Many uncountable nouns (like luggage, furniture, advice) require a quantifier such as “pieces of” or “bits of.”

2. Incorrect Article Usage

❌ She adopted a small cat and small dog.
✅ She adopted a small cat and a small dog.

When listing multiple nouns, the article “a” or “an” must be repeated if the nouns are different entities.

3. Subject-Verb Agreement with Nouns

❌ The number of students are increasing.
✅ The number of students is increasing.

“The number of” is singular, so it takes a singular verb, while “A number of” takes a plural verb.

4. Misuse of Possessive Forms

❌ This is a three weeks course.
✅ This is a three-week course.

When using time-related expressions as adjectives, they must be singular and hyphenated (e.g., five-year plan, ten-mile walk).

5. Misplaced Modifiers in Noun Phrases

❌ The book on the table that belongs to Sarah is interesting.
✅ The book that belongs to Sarah on the table is interesting.

Modifiers should be placed next to the word they describe.

Example TOEFL PBT Written Expression Questions

Question Type 1: Identifying Errors
Identify the incorrect part of the sentence.

Question 1:
(A) The committee members
(B) has decided to
(C) postpone the meeting
(D) until next week.
Answer: (B) has → have (“members” is plural, so the verb should be “have.”)

Question 2:
(A) Each of the students
(B) have submitted
(C) their assignment
(D) on time.
Answer: (B) have → has (“Each” is singular and takes “has.”)

Question Type 2: Sentence Correction
Choose the correct sentence.

Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A) The children’s toys were scattered all over the floor.
B) The childrens’ toys were scattered all over the floor.
C) The childrens toys were scattered all over the floor.
Answer: A) The children’s toys were scattered all over the floor. (
Children is already plural, so we only add ‘s for possession.)

Question Type 3: Choosing the Correct Noun Phrase
Select the correct noun phrase.

Question: Which sentence uses a correct noun phrase?
A) The manager of the company plan a new strategy.
B) The manager of the company plans a new strategy.
C) The manager of company plans a new strategy.

Answer:
B) The manager of the company plans a new strategy.
(“Manager” is singular, so “plans” is the correct verb form.)

Strategies for Answering TOEFL PBT Written Expression Questions

1. Identify the Subject and Verb First

Make sure they agree in number.
Example: The list of participants is/are ready. → is (“List” is singular.)

2. Check for Noun Phrase Consistency

Ensure articles and modifiers are correctly placed.
Example: He bought an old wooden chair. (Correct order: article + adjective + noun)

3. Recognize Commonly Confused Nouns

“Advice” (uncountable) vs. “Advices” (incorrect)
“Information” (uncountable) vs. “Informations” (incorrect)

4. Be Aware of Idiomatic Expressions

Example: She gave me a piece of advice, not an advice.

5. Practice with Real TOEFL Questions

Reviewing past TOEFL questions will help you recognize patterns in noun and noun phrase errors.

Mastering nouns and noun phrases in TOEFL PBT Written Expression is crucial for test success. By understanding common errors, applying strategic approaches, and practicing with real exam questions, you can improve your accuracy and confidence in this section.

If you’re looking for structured TOEFL preparation, consider enrolling in IELC’s courses, where expert instructors will guide you through grammar, writing, and test-taking strategies to help you achieve your best score.

Start your TOEFL journey today with IELC!

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