PTE Reading Tips- Grammar

🎯 PTE Reading Fill in the Blanks – Basic Grammar Rules

Below are common grammar patterns and rules to help you choose the correct form of the verb or word:

🔹 Three Forms of Verbs

1. Base form (V1):
   • Example: go
2. Past form (V2):
   • Example: went
3. Past participle / -ed form (V3):
   • Example: gone
     (sometimes -ed: e.g., worked, played)

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🔹 Continuous (-ing) Form

• Used with:
  • is/am/was/were + -ing
  • Example:
    • He is going
    • I am going
    • He was going
    • They were going

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🔹 Past Participle / -ed Form

• Used with:
  • has/have/had + V3 (-ed form)
  • Example:
    • He has passed
    • He had passed
    • They have passed
  • is/am/was/were + V3
    • Example:
      • He is gone
      • They were gone
  • ________ by (Passive voice)
    • Example:
      • I was followed by this person.

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🔹 ‘By’ Followed by -ing Form

• by + -ing
  • Example:
    • He can succeed in business by reducing costs.

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🔹 Modal Verbs + Base Form

Use the base form (V1) after these modals:

• may / shall / should / could / would / might
  • Example:
    • He may go
    • They shall go

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🔹 Do/Does/Did + Base Form

• Use base form after do/does/did
  • Example:
    • I didn’t pass the exam.

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🔹 That / It + s/es Verb Form

• After “that” or “it,” often use s/es form (present simple, singular subject)
  • Example:
    • It creates problems.

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🔹 Tense Clues

• Past tense: Usually requires -ed / past form
  • Example:
    • He worked there.
• Present tense: Use base form or -ing form
  • Example:
    • They work here.
    • He is working.

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🔹 Singular / Plural

• If the word before or after the blank is:
  • is = singular
  • are = plural
  • Example:
    • The team is winning.
    • The players are celebrating.

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✅ Examples Recap

1. Continuous Form (-ing):
   • He is going.
2. Past Participle:
   • He has gone.
3. Modal + Base Form:
   • He should go.
4. Passive Voice:
   • The book was written by the author.
5. By + -ing:
   • She improved by practising daily.

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✅ Tip:
Always look at:

• The word before the blank (auxiliary verb, modal, preposition)
• The subject (singular/plural)
• The tense (present/past/future)
• Whether it’s active or passive voice

For more information and guidance contact

PTE 79+ Coaching Sydney

Level 3, 12 Railway Parade

Burwood, 

Ph: 0466 338 338

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