Welcome to the TOEIC Grammar Lab!
In Part 5 of the TOEIC Reading test, you are racing against the clock. You have about 30 seconds per question! One of the most common "traps" the test-makers set is forcing you to choose between a Conjunction and a Preposition. They often mean the exact same thing, so you can't rely on your dictionary alone. You have to look at the structure of the sentence to get the mark.
Don't worry if this seems tricky at first. Once you learn the "Golden Rule" of sentence structure, you will be able to spot the right answer in seconds and save time for the long reading passages at the end of the test.
The Golden Rule: Clauses vs. Phrases
In the TOEIC exam, the difference between a conjunction and a preposition is all about what comes after the blank space.
1. Conjunctions join two parts of a sentence that both have a subject and a verb. We call this a Clause.
Structure: Conjunction + Subject + Verb
2. Prepositions link a noun or a noun phrase to the rest of the sentence. They do NOT have a working verb following them.
Structure: Preposition + Noun / Gerund (-ing)
Common "Trap" Pairs to Memorize
The TOEIC frequently uses these specific pairs. They have the same meaning but different grammar rules. Memorizing these pairs is a high-value strategy for earning marks in Part 5.
Trap #1: Reason (Because vs. Because of)
Conjunction: Because, Since, As
Preposition: Because of, Due to, Owing to
Weak Version (Loses marks): The flight was delayed because of the weather was bad.
(Error: "the weather was bad" is a full clause with a subject and verb, so we cannot use "because of".)
Improved Version (Earns marks): The flight was delayed because the weather was bad.
OR
The flight was delayed because of the bad weather.
Trap #2: Contrast (Although vs. Despite)
Conjunction: Although, Even though, Though
Preposition: Despite, In spite of
Example:
Although the company faced budget cuts, it hired new staff. (Subject: "the company" / Verb: "faced")
Despite budget cuts, the company hired new staff. (Noun phrase: "budget cuts")
Trap #3: Time (While vs. During)
Conjunction: While
Preposition: During
TOEIC Tip: This is a very common question! "During" is always followed by a noun (a period of time). "While" is followed by a subject and verb, or sometimes an -ing form.
Example:
Please remain seated during the presentation.
Please remain seated while the manager is speaking.
Step-by-Step Strategy for Part 5
When you see a question with choices like "Although, Despite, However, But," follow these steps:
Step 1: Look at the words immediately after the blank.
Find the first comma. Look at the group of words before that comma. Is there a Subject and a Verb?
Step 2: Check for a "Hidden" Verb.
Sometimes a word looks like a verb but is actually an adjective (e.g., "The updated report"). If there is no action verb being performed by a subject, it is a noun phrase.
Step 3: Pick the category.
- If you see Subject + Verb, choose a Conjunction.
- If you see only Nouns, choose a Preposition.
Real-World TOEIC Example (Worked Extract)
Question:
------- the heavy traffic, Mr. Kim arrived at the board meeting on time.
(A) Although
(B) Despite
(C) Because
(D) While
Analysis:
Look at the phrase: "the heavy traffic."
Is there a verb? No. "Heavy" is an adjective, "traffic" is a noun.
Meaning: We need a word that shows contrast (he was on time even though there was traffic).
(A) Although is a conjunction (needs a verb).
(B) Despite is a preposition (needs a noun). This is the correct answer.
Quick Review Checklist
- Conjunctions = Link to a "Sentence" (Subject + Verb).
- Prepositions = Link to a "Thing" (Noun or -ing).
- Timing: Spend no more than 20 seconds on these questions. If you see "the" or "his/her/their" right after the blank, it is usually a noun phrase, so look for a preposition!
- Did you know? The word "Despite" never takes the word "of." It is just "Despite the rain." However, "In spite of" always needs the "of." This is a common distractor in TOEIC!
Key Takeaway for Success
To earn maximum marks: Stop translating the sentences into your native language to find the answer. Both "Because" and "Because of" translate to the same meaning in many languages. Instead, scan for the verb. No verb = Preposition. Verb = Conjunction. Master this, and your Part 5 score will soar!