Michael's TOEIC Lesson Blog

There are always questions about the phrasal verbs on the TOEIC exam:

Check out means to examine or inspect something in order to learn more about it.

• Let's go check out the new furniture in the conference room
• I want to check out the
...

How do we use GET in the causative?

There are a variety of English grammar patterns that are tested on the TOEIC® exam. Causative verbs, such as get, often appear in Part V and Part VI. 

We use the pattern get someone to do. This has the ...

When you learn a new word, build you vocabulary with all forms of that word. When possible, try to start with the verb form - the verb will best show you the meaning of the word and the word family.

Support is a verb which means to give as...

There are always questions about the phrasal verbs on the TOEIC exam:

Pick up means go somewhere to get or retrieve someone or something

• Jimmy is going to pick up Mr. Hendrix at the train station.
• I picked up my sister at the mall this
...

How do we use the modal verb, had better?

There are a variety of English grammar patterns that are tested on the TOEIC® exam. Modal verbs, such as had better often appear in Part V and Part VI. 

We use had better to give someone a strong ...

When you learn a new word, build you vocabulary with all forms of that word. When possible, try to start with the verb form - the verb will best show you the meaning of the word and the word family.

Consume is a verb. Consume means to use ...

There are always questions about the phrasal verbs on the TOEIC exam:

When you set something up you make arrangements to do that thing.

• Ms. Lane set up a meeting with the auditors.
• The travel department can set up the itinerary for you
...

How do we use the adverb of time, YET?

There are a variety of English grammar patterns that are tested on the TOEIC® exam. Yet is one of the adverbs of time that often appears in Part V and Part VI. 

We use YET to say that something that ...

When you learn a new word, build you vocabulary with all forms of that word. When possible, try to start with the verb form - the verb will best show you the meaning of the word and the word family.

Agree is a verb. Agree means to have the...

There are always questions about the phrasal verbs on the TOEIC exam:

Step down means to resign or leave a position or job voluntarily.

• After serving as CEO for 10 years, Mark decided to step down and hand over the reins to his successo
...

How do we use would have?

There are a variety of English grammar patterns that are tested on the TOEIC® exam. Would have is a past modal verb and often appears in Part V and Part VI. 

We use would have to show that we wanted to do somethi...

When you learn a new word, build you vocabulary with all forms of that word. When possible, try to start with the verb form - the verb will best show you the meaning of the word and the word family.

Expand is a verb

• Our company is plann
...

There are always questions about the phrasal verbs on the TOEIC exam:

Look for means to search

• The marketing department is looking for an editor. You should apply for the position.
• The company is looking for new products to sell in thi
...

How do we use SHOULD in conditional sentences?

There are a variety of English grammar patterns that are tested on the TOEIC® exam. Questions about conditionals often appear in Part V and Part VI.  In very formal English, should can replace...

When you learn a new word, build you vocabulary with all forms of that word. When possible, try to start with the verb form - the verb will best show you the meaning of the word and the word family.

Decide is the verb

• We need to decide
...

There are always questions about the phrasal verbs on the TOEIC exam:

Call off means to cancel or postpone.

• The boss had to leave the office suddenly so we need to call off today’s meeting.
• The company decided to call off its plans to
...

How do we use MAKE in the CAUSATIVE?

There are a variety of English grammar patterns that are tested on the TOEIC® exam. The causative form of verbs like make often appears in Part V and Part VI. There are three patterns using make in the ...

How do we use COULD HAVE in English?

There are a variety of English grammar patterns that are tested on the TOEIC® exam. Past Modals like Could Have often appear in Part V and Part VI. The pattern here is could have followed by a past part...