Grammar for IELTS Writing Tasks
Master the essential grammar structures needed for IELTS Writing Tasks 1 and 2. Strategic grammar usage is crucial for achieving Band 7+ scores in Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
This guide focuses on the most important grammar patterns for IELTS Writing, with specific applications for data description and essay writing.
Grammar for Writing Task 1
Verb Patterns:
- Rise/Fall + Adverb: "Sales rose sharply."
- There + be + Noun: "There was a significant increase."
- Subject + experienced + Noun: "The company experienced growth."
- Subject + saw + Noun: "2020 saw a dramatic decline."
Tense Usage:
- Past Simple: Historical data
- Present Perfect: Changes up to now
- Future: Projections
Example Sentences:
" "Unemployment increased significantly between 2010 and 2015."
" "There has been a steady rise in online shopping."
" "The graph shows that pollution levels fluctuated over the period."
" "By 2025, renewable energy is expected to account for 50% of production."
" "Unemployment increased significantly between 2010 and 2015."
" "There has been a steady rise in online shopping."
" "The graph shows that pollution levels fluctuated over the period."
" "By 2025, renewable energy is expected to account for 50% of production."
Comparative Structures:
- Comparative + than: "Sales were higher than expected."
- As + adjective + as: "Profits were as high as last year."
- The + comparative, the + comparative: "The more investment, the greater the growth."
Contrast Structures:
- While: "While urban areas grew, rural populations declined."
- In contrast: "City A saw growth. In contrast, City B experienced decline."
- However: "Sales increased in Q1. However, they fell in Q2."
Band 7+ Examples:
" "Whereas renewable energy increased by 15%, fossil fuel usage declined by 10%."
" "The data reveals that Country A outperformed Country B significantly."
" "Notably, the highest figures were recorded in the final quarter, which contrasts sharply with the initial decline."
" "Whereas renewable energy increased by 15%, fossil fuel usage declined by 10%."
" "The data reveals that Country A outperformed Country B significantly."
" "Notably, the highest figures were recorded in the final quarter, which contrasts sharply with the initial decline."
Passive Voice (Essential):
- "Water is heated to 100°C."
- "The mixture is then filtered."
- "Impurities are removed during this stage."
Sequencing:
- First, Initially: Start of process
- Then, Next, Subsequently: Middle stages
- Finally, Ultimately: End of process
Complex Sentences:
- After + -ing: "After heating the water, it is cooled rapidly."
- Before + -ing: "Before packaging, products are inspected."
- Once + past participle: "Once processed, materials are stored."
Grammar for Writing Task 2
Introduction Paragraphs
Paraphrasing Structures:
- It is + past participle + that: "It is argued that technology improves education."
- There is + noun + about: "There is debate about the effectiveness of online learning."
Thesis Statements:
- While + concession, main argument: "While technology has benefits, I believe traditional methods are superior."
- This essay will + examine/discuss: "This essay will examine both perspectives."
Body Paragraphs
Topic Sentences:
- One reason why: "One reason why education is important is that it promotes equality."
- The main advantage/disadvantage: "The main advantage of technology is its accessibility."
Supporting Ideas:
- For instance/For example: "For instance, online courses allow flexible learning."
- This is because: "This is because students can study at their own pace."
Advanced Grammar Structures for Band 7+
| Structure | Usage | Example | IELTS Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not only... but also | Emphasis | "Technology not only improves efficiency but also reduces costs." | Task 2 - strengthening arguments |
| It is... that/who | Cleft sentences | "It is young people who are most affected by unemployment." | Both tasks - emphasizing key points |
| What... is | Pseudo-cleft | "What concerns experts most is the rapid pace of change." | Task 2 - introducing main points |
| Having + past participle | Perfect participle | "Having considered all factors, the decision was made." | Task 2 - showing logical progression |
| So/Such... that | Result clauses | "The impact was so significant that policies were changed." | Both tasks - showing consequences |
Common Grammar Errors in IELTS Writing
Subject-Verb Agreement
Incorrect: "The number of students have increased."
Correct: "The number of students has increased."
Article Usage
Incorrect: "The education is important for the society."
Correct: "Education is important for society."
Comma Splices
Incorrect: "Technology is useful, it has drawbacks."
Correct: "Technology is useful, but it has drawbacks."
Word Order in Questions
Incorrect: "How we can solve this problem?"
Correct: "How can we solve this problem?"
Grammar Checklist for IELTS Writing
Before Writing
- Plan your grammar structures
- Identify key tenses needed
- Choose appropriate voice (active/passive)
- Plan complex sentence types
- Consider linking words needed
After Writing
- Check subject-verb agreement
- Verify article usage
- Confirm tense consistency
- Review sentence boundaries
- Ensure variety in structures