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STEP High-Frequency Vocabulary and Grammar Rules

Essential grammar structures, transitional linkers, academic vocabulary, and sentence mechanics tested on the Saudi Standardized Test of English Proficiency (STEP).

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Third Conditional Structure and Usage

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Third Conditional Structure and Usage

If + past perfect (had + V3), ... would have + past participle (V3). Used to describe hypothetical, unreal conditions in the past and their impossible outcomes.

Second Conditional Structure and Usage

If + simple past (were / V2), ... would + base verb (V1). Used to express imaginary, improbable, or counterfactual situations in the present or future.

Subjunctive Mood with Demands and Suggestions

Verbs like demand, recommend, suggest, insist, and require take a 'that'-clause with the base form of the verb: 'She recommended that he submit (not submits) the report.'

Inversion After Negative Adverbials

When negative or limiting adverbs (seldom, rarely, hardly, scarcely, neither, nor, little) begin a clause, auxiliary verb precedes the subject: 'Hardly had he arrived when the bell rang.'

Usage of 'Despite' and 'In spite of' vs 'Although'

'Despite' and 'In spite of' are prepositions followed by a noun, noun phrase, or gerund (-ing). 'Although', 'Even though', and 'Though' are conjunctions followed by a full clause (subject + verb).

Subject-Verb Agreement with 'Neither... nor' and 'Either... or'

The verb agrees with the closer subject noun: 'Neither the teacher nor the students were ready', but 'Neither the students nor the teacher was ready.'

Subject-Verb Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns

Pronouns such as 'everyone', 'everybody', 'anyone', 'each', 'either', 'neither', and 'someone' are grammatically singular and require singular verbs ('Each of the candidates has submitted a resume').

Past Perfect vs Past Simple Sequencing

The past perfect (had + V3) denotes an action completed before another past action expressed in the past simple: 'By the time the rescue team arrived, the hikers had found shelter.'

Gerund vs Infinitive: Verbs Followed Only by Gerunds (-ing)

Admit, avoid, consider, deny, enjoy, finish, postpone, practice, recommend, resist, suggest, and risk are followed by a gerund: 'He avoided answering the direct question.'

Gerund vs Infinitive: Verbs Followed by 'To' + Infinitive

Afford, agree, decide, demand, hope, manage, offer, plan, refuse, threaten, and want are followed by an infinitive: 'They agreed to participate in the seminar.'

Passive Voice Construction Across Tenses

Object + form of 'to be' + past participle (V3). Present perfect passive: 'The documents have been signed'; Modal passive: 'The form must be completed.'

Distinction Between 'Fewer' and 'Less'

'Fewer' is used with plural countable nouns ('fewer mistakes', 'fewer students'). 'Less' is used with singular uncountable nouns ('less water', 'less time', 'less energy').

Distinction Between 'Number of' and 'Amount of'

'A number of' / 'The number of' applies to countable items. 'An amount of' applies to uncountable quantities or bulk materials ('a large amount of fuel', 'a number of vehicles').

Transitional Linkers: Expressing Concession and Contrast

'However', 'Nevertheless', 'Nonetheless', and 'Conversely' connect contrasting independent clauses and are punctuated with a semicolon or period followed by a comma.

Transitional Linkers: Expressing Cause and Effect

'Consequently', 'Therefore', 'Thus', and 'As a result' signal logical deductions or causal outcomes from previously stated facts.

Academic Vocabulary: 'Substantiate'

To provide evidence to prove the truth of or support a claim or theory; synonyms include corroborate, verify, validate, and uphold.

Academic Vocabulary: 'Pragmatic'

Dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations; synonym: practical, down-to-earth.

Academic Vocabulary: 'Ambiguous'

Open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning or unclear significance; antonym: explicit, unambiguous, lucid.

Academic Vocabulary: 'Disseminate'

To spread or disperse information, knowledge, or ideas widely throughout an organization, population, or discipline.

Academic Vocabulary: 'Mitigate'

To make less severe, serious, or painful; to alleviate or attenuate the severity or adverse impacts of an event or hazard.

Academic Vocabulary: 'Discrepancy'

A lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts, figures, or records; an inconsistency or divergence.

Relative Pronouns: 'Who' vs 'Whom' vs 'Which' vs 'Whose'

'Who' acts as the subject of the clause; 'Whom' acts as the object of a verb or preposition; 'Which' refers to things or animals; 'Whose' expresses possession.

Comma Splice and Run-On Sentence Correction

Two independent clauses cannot be joined by a comma alone. Correct by adding a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS), using a semicolon, or creating two separate sentences.

Parallel Structure in Coordinated Lists

Items joined by coordinating conjunctions or correlative pairs (not only... but also) must share grammatical form: 'She enjoys hiking, swimming, and cycling' (all gerunds).

Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers

A modifying phrase must clearly and logically attach to the noun it modifies: 'Walking into the laboratory, the fire alarm sounded' (incorrect: the alarm wasn't walking). 'Walking into the laboratory, the technician heard the fire alarm' (correct).

STEP (Standardized Test of English Proficiency) in Saudi Arabia

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