IELTS Grammar Guide

Accurate use of tenses is fundamental. Focus on:

• Present Simple vs. Present Continuous: For habits, facts vs. actions happening now.
• Past Simple vs. Present Perfect: For completed past actions vs. actions with present relevance.
• Past Perfect: For actions completed before another past action.
• Future Forms: `will`, `be going to`, Present Continuous for future arrangements.

Example areas: Describing trends in Task 1, discussing past experiences in Speaking Part 2, expressing future plans.

Correct use of articles is often challenging but important for clarity.

• `a/an`: For singular, countable, non-specific nouns.
• `the`: For specific nouns (already mentioned, unique, defined).
• Zero Article (no article): For plural countable nouns (general sense) and uncountable nouns.

Example areas: General statements in Task 2 essays, specific references in descriptions.

Using conditionals allows you to express hypothetical situations, possibilities, and regrets.

• Type 1 (Real Present/Future): `If + present simple, ... will + base verb`
• Type 2 (Unreal Present/Future): `If + past simple, ... would + base verb`
• Type 3 (Unreal Past): `If + past perfect, ... would have + past participle`

Example areas: Discussing potential solutions in Task 2, speculating in Speaking Part 3.

Useful when the action is more important than the doer, or when the doer is unknown.

• Form: `be + past participle` (in various tenses, e.g., `is built`, `was developed`, `will be required`).

Example areas: Describing processes in Task 1 Academic, formal writing in Task 2.