IELTS Grammar Guide - Essential Grammar for Band 7+
Master the grammar structures that make the difference between Band 6 and Band 7+
Why Grammar Matters in IELTS
Grammar accounts for 25% of your score in both Writing and Speaking. Strong grammar demonstrates your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and accurately.
Band 6 Grammar
- Mix of simple and complex sentences
- Some errors that don't impede communication
- Good control of basic tenses
- Limited range of structures
Band 7+ Grammar
- Wide range of complex structures
- Few errors with difficult structures
- Natural and flexible use
- Sophisticated sentence variety
Essential Grammar for IELTS
Tenses and Time
Key Tenses for IELTS:
- Present Perfect vs Past Simple
- Present Perfect Continuous
- Future Forms (will, going to, present continuous)
- Past Perfect for sequencing
- Mixed conditionals
Complex Sentences
Sentence Structures:
- Relative clauses (defining & non-defining)
- Subordinate clauses
- Participle clauses
- Cleft sentences
- Inversion for emphasis
Conditionals
Types to Master:
- Zero, First, Second, Third conditionals
- Mixed conditionals
- Unless, provided that, as long as
- Wish and if only
- Hypothetical situations
Passive Voice
Applications:
- Academic writing style
- Process descriptions
- Formal reports
- Causative structures
- Impersonal passive
Articles & Determiners
Common Challenges:
- A, an, the usage rules
- Zero article
- Generic vs specific reference
- Quantifiers
- Demonstratives
Modal Verbs
Functions:
- Possibility and probability
- Obligation and necessity
- Permission and prohibition
- Advice and suggestions
- Past modals for speculation
Complex Grammar Structures for Band 7-9
Advanced Sentence Patterns
1. Inversion for Emphasis
✓ Correct:
"Not only does exercise improve health, but it also boosts mental well-being."
"Rarely have we seen such rapid technological advancement."
"Not only does exercise improve health, but it also boosts mental well-being."
"Rarely have we seen such rapid technological advancement."
2. Cleft Sentences
✓ Correct:
"It is through education that society progresses."
"What concerns me most is the environmental impact."
"It is through education that society progresses."
"What concerns me most is the environmental impact."
3. Participle Constructions
✓ Correct:
"Having considered all options, I believe remote work is beneficial."
"The policy, implemented last year, has shown positive results."
"Having considered all options, I believe remote work is beneficial."
"The policy, implemented last year, has shown positive results."
Sophisticated Conditionals
Mixed Conditionals
✓ Correct:
"If I had studied harder (past), I would be successful now (present)."
"If she were more confident (present), she would have applied (past)."
"If I had studied harder (past), I would be successful now (present)."
"If she were more confident (present), she would have applied (past)."
Alternatives to 'if'
- Were... to: "Were governments to invest more..."
- Should: "Should you require assistance..."
- Had: "Had I known earlier..."
Advanced Conditional Phrases
- Provided that / Providing that
- On condition that
- As long as / So long as
- In the event that
Advanced Linking and Cohesion
Contrast & Concession
- Notwithstanding
- Nevertheless
- Albeit
- Despite the fact that
- Much as
Cause & Effect
- Owing to / Due to
- On account of
- Inasmuch as
- Insofar as
- By virtue of
Addition & Emphasis
- Furthermore
- What is more
- Above all
- Particularly
- Most importantly
Top 10 IELTS Grammar Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Common Mistakes:
- "The technology is advancing rapidly"
- "I need an advice"
- "Students should study hard for the success"
✅ Correct Usage:
- "Technology is advancing rapidly"
- "I need some advice"
- "Students should study hard for success"
Rule: Abstract concepts like technology, advice, success don't need articles when used generally.
❌ Common Mistakes:
- "The number of students are increasing"
- "One of the problems are..."
- "Neither the teacher nor the students was present"
✅ Correct Usage:
- "The number of students is increasing"
- "One of the problems is..."
- "Neither the teacher nor the students were present"
❌ Common Mistakes:
- "Many informations"
- "Few money"
- "A research shows"
- "Advices are helpful"
✅ Correct Usage:
- "Much information" / "A lot of information"
- "Little money" / "Not much money"
- "Research shows" / "A study shows"
- "Advice is helpful" / "Pieces of advice are helpful"
Additional Common Grammar Mistakes
| Common Error | Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Subject-verb agreement | The data shows... | The data show... |
| Countable/Uncountable | Many informations | Much information |
| Prepositions | Depend of | Depend on |
| Tense consistency | He said he will come | He said he would come |
| Article usage | The nature is beautiful | Nature is beautiful |
| Word order | Always I go to gym | I always go to the gym |
Grammar Practice Resources
Grammar Tips for Band 7+
1. Vary Your Sentence Structures
- Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences
- Start sentences differently (not always with subject)
- Use participle phrases for sophistication
- Include at least one conditional per essay
2. Show Range Without Forcing
- Use complex grammar naturally, not artificially
- Focus on accuracy over complexity
- Practice structures until they feel natural
- Read extensively to internalize patterns
3. Common Band 7 Structures
Not only... but also: "Not only does tourism boost the economy, but it also promotes cultural exchange."
Having + past participle: "Having considered all factors, I believe education should be free."
It is... that (cleft): "It is through practice that students improve their skills."
Were... to (inversion): "Were governments to invest more in education, literacy rates would soar."
Quick Reference
Band 7 Checklist:
- Complex sentences
- Range of tenses
- Passive voice
- Conditionals
- Modal verbs
- Relative clauses
- Few errors