TOEFL Build a Sentence: how to put the words in the right order
In TOEFL Build a Sentence you see a short message from one person and must arrange words and phrases into a correct, natural reply. Some words may already be in place. It tests word order and grammar, especially questions, verb forms, adverbs and prepositional phrases. Find the subject and main verb first, then attach the other pieces around them, and check the full sentence makes sense as a reply.
Build a Sentence opens the Writing section. Each item is short, but there are several of them, and they add up. Most errors come from a small number of grammar points.
How it works
You see a short exchange, for example a classmate asking a question. Below it is a reply with some words fixed, often the first few words, and a set of chunks to place in order. You drag or click the chunks into position.
Worked examples
Example 1
Lucy: Are you coming to the study group this afternoon?
Reply: I can't, [ a dentist ] [ because ] [ have ] [ appointment ] [ I ] .
Answer: I can't, because I have a dentist appointment.
Method: "because" starts the reason. Subject "I", verb "have", then the object "a dentist appointment".
Example 2
Marco: I need somewhere to print my assignment.
Reply: Have you [ the computer lab ] [ in ] [ checked ] [ the library ] ?
Answer: Have you checked the computer lab in the library?
Method: "Have you" + past participle "checked" + object "the computer lab" + place "in the library".
Example 3
Aisha: Do you know when the results will come out?
Reply: The tutor [ will ] [ told us ] [ next Monday ] [ they ] [ be posted ] .
Answer: The tutor told us they will be posted next Monday.
A quick method
- Read the other person's message. Your sentence must answer it.
- Find the subject and main verb. Everything else attaches to them.
- Put objects after the verb, then place, then time: "hand in the form (object) at reception (place) before Friday (time)".
- Check the fixed words at the start and end. A question mark at the end means question word order.
- Read the whole sentence silently. It should sound like something a person would actually say.
Find out where you are todayTry a free TOEFL iBT style practice in any skill, then sit a full timed practice test with 1–6 scores in minutes.
Start free practiceGrammar that comes up again and again
| Point | Correct | Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Indirect questions | Do you know where the lab is? | Do you know where is the lab? |
| Adverbs of frequency | She usually takes the bus. | She takes usually the bus. |
| Present perfect questions | Have you tried the library? | Have you the library tried? |
| Comparatives | much more interesting than I expected | more much interesting than |
| Infinitive after verbs | I plan to finish it | I plan finishing it |
| Reported speech | He said we have to submit it | He said have we to submit it |
Indirect questions are the most common trap. After "Do you know…", "Could you tell me…" or "I wonder…", the word order is a statement, not a question.
How to practise
- Take sentences from emails or articles, cut them into four or five chunks, mix them up, and rebuild them the next day.
- Practise indirect questions and adverb positions until they feel automatic.
- Do these items fast. Each should take well under a minute so you have time for the email and discussion post.
In the AIL practice tests
Every AIL TOEFL iBT style practice test starts Writing with a set of Build a Sentence items, scored automatically, so you can see which grammar points you miss.
Check one discussion post freePaste your writing and get an estimated 0–5 score with corrections in about 30 seconds. No account needed.
Check my writingQuestions people also ask
What is Build a Sentence on the TOEFL?
A Writing task in the 2026 TOEFL iBT where you arrange words and phrases into a correct sentence that replies to a short message.
How many Build a Sentence items are there?
There are several short items at the start of the Writing section. The Writing section has about 12 items in total, including the email and the academic discussion.
What grammar does Build a Sentence test?
Mostly word order: questions and indirect questions, verb forms, adverb position, prepositional phrases and comparatives.
Is there partial credit in Build a Sentence?
Treat each sentence as right or wrong. The whole sentence must be in the correct order.