PTE Grammar Rules: Practice, Tips, and Tricks for High Scores

The Reading PTE section will make you the most desperate if you don’t have a solid grammar foundation.

Therefore, building solid PTE grammar is a must to help you ace the PTE Reading with the best score. Mastering essential grammar rules is crucial for success in the Pearson test (PTE), as these foundational principles directly impact your clarity, accuracy, and overall exam performance.

In this post, PTE Magic will share helpful PTE grammar tips and tricks to answer Reading questions more seamlessly.

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Key Takeaways

The PTE exam will assess your grammatical knowledge in the form of written discourse, oral fluency, pronunciation, and vocabulary.
Master the 11 important rules of grammar below, including essential grammatical rules, to get a high score in the PTE Reading section.
Learning to identify word types, reading regularly, improving speed reading, watching English movies/TV shows, and applying grammatical rules in practice are tips for improving your PTE grammar skills.

Why does grammar matter in PTE?

In the real world, you will have to communicate in English every day when studying and working in English-speaking countries. Therefore, you need to gain a solid vocabulary and use correct grammar.

Grammar is one of the most crucial six Enabling Skills in the PTE exam. To perform well in the exam, it is essential to understand grammatical rules, as they form the foundation of effective communication and language proficiency. Pearson PTE dedicates a section on the scorecard to assess your grammatical skill.

The PTE exam will assess your grammatical knowledge in the form of written discourse, oral fluency, pronunciation, and vocabulary.

In the PTE Reading section, grammar skills will help you grasp the content. You must comprehend the meaning of the tense system, and the proper usage of articles and pronouns.

You can get the grammar score from question types such as summarizing written text, spoken text, and essay writing. These question types have specific criteria for grammatical evaluation.

Some test takers score low in grammar, although they can achieve a high PTE score of more than 79 in each section.

Therefore, you should have strong PTE grammatical skills to improve your PTE score.

See more:

How to prepare for PTE – A detailed guide

Important grammar rules for PTE reading

To get a high score in the PTE Reading section, you need to master the following 10 PTE grammar rules. Mastering these rules is crucial for accurately completing writing fill tasks in the PTE reading section, where you must fill in blanks with the correct words or phrases based on grammar, such as past participles, verb forms, articles, adjectives, modals, and plural nouns.

Rule 1: Have/has/had + past participle tense (V3)

After have/has/had, choose the past participle of a verb with the form -ed or the third form.

Example:

You have been approved for admission.

He had repaired his old car.

I have baked some cookies.

Rule 2: Am/is/are/was/were + past participle tense (V3)

After am/is/are/was/were, choose the past participle of a verb with the form -ed or the third form.

Example:

She was chased by animals in the forest.

Your dog is obsessed with bigger dogs.

However, the verb is sometimes the first form after is/am/are/was/were.

Example:

Jack was cutting the grass when a snake appeared.

My parents are going to a lake nearby for fishing.

Rule 3: Be/being/been+ past participle tense (V3)

After be/been/being, choose the past participle of a verb with the form -ed or the third form.

Example:

This workshop has been held in the art gallery since last week.

Rule 4: Preposition ‘to’ + first form of the verb (V1)

After the preposition “to”, choose a verb in the present or first form of the verb.

Example:

I decided to go to New York to visit my sister.

Rule 5: Preposition with, of, for, about + verb-ing

After the prepositions ‘with’, ‘of’, ‘for’, and ‘about’ (except for ‘to’), use verbs ending in ‘-ing’.

Example:

Thanks for giving me a ride.

How about going to the zoo this weekend?

Rule 6: Articles a/an/the + noun

There are two types of articles:

The definite article ‘The’
The indefinite article ‘a’, ‘an’

‘A’ or ‘an’ usually comes before ‘the’ before the same noun in a paragraph.

Remember that nouns always come after articles. So, if the blank comes after a/an/the, you will quickly identify the noun from the filling options.

Here are the 3 Article Rules:

“An” comes before words that begin with a vowel sound—five vowels” a, e, i, o, u.

Example: an egg, an apricot, an elephant

“A” comes before words that begin with consonants.

Example: a student, a building, a tree

‘The’ comes before the noun forms of a word to indicate that the noun’s identity is known to the reader.

Example: “I will read the book“. The speaker means a specific book.

Rule 7: Article a/an/the + adjective + noun

While rule 6 states that a/an/the goes with nouns, they may go with noun phrases (adjective + noun).

If there is a blank between an article and a noun, we will specify an adjective to fill in

Example: a tall building, a unique outfit

Rule 8: Modal verb + first form of the verb

can/ could/shall/should/may/might/will/ would/must/have to + first verb form

A modal verb (or modal auxiliary verb) expresses the certainty and uncertainty of action.

Example:

You must leave the danger zone.

I can complete the report within three hours.

He should see a dentist before his teeth get worse.

Rule 9: Many + Plural nouns

After ‘many’, look for a plural noun to fill in the blank. The plural form of a noun will always have “s or es”.

Example:

Many students are waiting for the school bell.

He can speak many languages

Rule 10: It/which/that + Plural form of the verb -s/-es

After it/ which/ that, you must fill in the blank with the plural form of the verb with -s or -es.

Example:

It takes a few months to finish the project.

He cooks a dish that has a distinctive French taste.

Rule 11: Conjunction rule

The verb form must be consistent before and after a conjunction.

When joining two independent clauses, it is important to use coordinating conjunctions (such as “and,” “but,” or “or”) to form a compound sentence. An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a complete sentence. Coordinating conjunctions connect two independent clauses to create clearer and more coherent writing.

For example: My family will go to Melbourne, and we will settle there.

Common Grammar Mistakes

Many PTE test takers struggle with common grammar mistakes that can lower their scores, especially in the PTE reading and writing sections.

One frequent issue is the misuse of verb forms, such as confusing the past participle tense (V3) with other tenses, or incorrectly forming the present perfect continuous.

Another area where errors often occur is with articles—using the definite article “the” or the indefinite articles “a” and “an” incorrectly can change the meaning of a sentence or make it grammatically incorrect.

Subject-verb agreement is another common pitfall, where the verb form does not match the subject in number or person.

Mistakes with modal auxiliary verbs and plural forms can also lead to confusion and lost marks. Being aware of these typical errors and practicing to avoid them is crucial for building strong grammar skills and achieving success in the PTE exam.

Tips and tricks for improving your PTE grammar skills

Grammar may be frustrating for many PTE candidates because of its complex rules.

However, using grammar correctly is a must in the PTE exam It can also assess your writing skills and effectiveness.

Let’s take a look at some PTE grammar practice tips listed below!

Learn to identify word types

After skimming over the paragraph, you can determine the word type to fill in the gap. It can be an adjective, noun, verb, adverb, or preposition.

Remember to read the words carefully before and after the blank. You may then assess the answer based on word tenses and collocation.

Read regularly

Make reading a regular habit. This will be very beneficial to your grammatical skills. Reading often provides you with various new words, new grammar rules, and their usage. This will be very beneficial to your grammatical skills.

Improve speed reading

Besides focused and active reading, take time to practice speed reading. Ensure that you can read fast without missing any words and grammar usage.

Watch English movies and TV shows

Watching English movies and TV shows can help you understand how people in other countries communicate in English.

Try watching without subtitles! Determine how they use dialect, vocabulary, and grammar. This will help you enhance your communication skills and boost your confidence.

Take it slowly first and you’ll get used to it!

Practice makes perfect

Students taking the PTE test must be highly proficient in English grammar. This cannot be achieved in a week or a month, but the persistent effort will provide positive outcomes.

You can do as many PTE practice tests as possible to familiarize yourself with grammar rules. Besides, communicate in English every day.

Effective Test Preparation

Preparing effectively for the PTE exam requires more than just memorizing grammar rules it’s about applying them in real test scenarios.

Start by familiarizing yourself with the format of the PTE reading section, practicing how to quickly identify main ideas, supporting details, and the author’s intent.

For the PTE writing section, focus on organizing your thoughts clearly and using proper grammar usage throughout your essays and summaries.

Regularly practicing with sample questions and mock tests will help you identify your strengths and areas for improvement.

Seek feedback from teachers, peers, or online resources to refine your writing and reading skills. By consistently working on your grammar usage and test-taking strategies, you’ll be better prepared to tackle the challenges of the PTE exam and achieve your desired score.

Strategies for Success

Achieving a high score in the PTE exam is possible with the right strategies and consistent effort. Begin by strengthening your grammar skills through daily practice focus on mastering verb forms, subject-verb agreement, and the correct use of articles and tenses.

For the PTE reading section, develop your reading comprehension by engaging with a variety of texts, such as academic articles, news stories, and literature.

This will help you become comfortable with different writing styles and vocabulary. In the PTE writing section, practice essay writing regularly, paying attention to clarity, coherence, and proper grammar usage.

Use authentic materials, such as official sample questions and practice tests, to get used to the test format and timing. By combining these strategies with consistent practice, you’ll build the strong grammar skills and writing abilities needed for PTE success.

Overcoming Challenges

Facing challenges during PTE exam preparation is normal, but with the right approach, you can overcome them and reach your goals.

Time management is a common hurdle practice completing reading and writing tasks within the allotted time to build your speed and confidence.

Complex grammar rules, such as those involving modal verbs, noun phrases, and advanced tenses, can also be daunting.

Focus your practice on these areas, breaking them down into manageable parts and reviewing them regularly.

Don’t hesitate to seek support from instructors, study groups, or online communities, as discussing difficult concepts can provide new insights and motivation.

By acknowledging your challenges and using targeted strategies to address them, you’ll become a more confident and capable test taker, ready to excel in the PTE exam.

Conclusion

Have you already got all the PTE grammar rules?

If yes, practice now! Contact us to get information about our latest PTE mock tests and training courses!

FAQs

What’s the fastest daily drill to build grammar?

10–15 minutes: transform 5 sentences across active ↔ passive, present ↔ perfect, and modal + V1; then review mistakes.

How do I improve speed without losing accuracy?

Skim for structure first (subjects, verbs, connectors), then read for meaning. Answer grammar-driven blanks last if needed.

What’s a good weekly plan?

3 days grammar drills, 2 days Reading tasks, 1 day Writing tasks, 1 day mock review. Track recurring errors in a “mistake log”.

How do conjunctions affect verb forms?

Keep parallel forms around and/but/or. e.g., “to study and to work” or “studying and working”.

How to FINALLY Pass the PTE and Achieve Your Dreams

Stop guessing! Start using proven methods that guarantee results!

✅ Master Every Section: Discover INSIDER SECRETS that secure HIGH SCORES.sas

Last updated on 22/10/2025

Moni PTE Magic

My name is Moni, and I am a seasoned PTE teacher with over 6 years of experience. I have helped thousands of students overcome their struggles and achieve their desired scores. My passion for teaching and dedication to my student’s success drives me to continually improve my teaching methods and provide the best possible support. Join me on this journey toward PTE success!