Guide to IELTS Grammar – Benchmark IELTS

The first step is to understand how grammar gets scored in IELTS. In both speaking and writing, the criteria are grammatical range and accuracy.

1. Why is IELTS Grammar so important?

Grammar plays a crucial role in the clarity of your writing and speaking. Using incorrect tenses while telling stories or overusing linking words will result in the examiner not understanding your answer, which in turn will lower your score.

In both sections, the main difference between getting a band 8 and a band 6 for grammatical range and accuracy lies in the lack of errors and the candidate’s ability to use a variety of sentence structures.

2. Grammar to focus on

Familiarise yourself with the main grammar rules for IELTS. By practicing and understanding tenses, passive voice, subject-verb agreement, etc., you can avoid making common grammatical mistakes in your exam and elevate the level of both your speaking and writing.

Find more information and further examples of each rule on Benchmark IELTS.

2.1Tenses

The correct usage of tenses is crucial in both the speaking and writing sections. In order to use them correctly, you need to understand their purpose.

When asked a question about your childhood, you have to answer in the past tense. Whereas, when making an argument in an essay and stating facts, it’s best to stick to the present tense.

2.2 Punctuation

In your writing, you need to use proper punctuation to obtain a high score. If you make too many mistakes, it’ll negatively impact your final band score.

One of the most common mistakes candidates make is what is known as the comma-splice error. This occurs when the comma is overused. To avoid this mistake, it’s recommended to end sentences where possible or use linking words and semi-colons instead.

2.3 Active Passive

The passive voice is mostly used in IELTS AT Task 1. It puts emphasis on the object of a sentence, has a more formal tone, and is often used when the doer of the action is unknown. On the other hand, active voice is simpler and often clearer, which is best used in speaking.

IELTS Writing

IELTS Writing Correction & Grading

Improve Your IELTS Score

• 24-Hour Turnaround
• Open 365 Days
• 1 Year Validity
• Handwritten Essays Accepted

2.4 Conditionals

To be able to use conditionals correctly, ensure you understand the structure of various tenses first. Conditionals are used to discuss hypothetical situations or future possibilities. They’re an excellent way to elevate both your speaking and writing as they introduce more complex sentence structures.

For more information on the zero-,first-, second- and third conditionals, be sure to checkout Benchmark IELTS.

2.5 Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, and that) help link clauses together. They contribute to making sentences more complex and informative. By using them correctly, you can improve your overall score for coherence and cohesion.

2.6 Linking words

Linking words (also known as connectors) help to connect ideas by improving the flow of your writing and speaking. A big mistake a lot of candidates often make is overusing linking words to the point where they no longer sound natural.

Using the connectors incorrectly will also negatively impact your score, which is why it’s so important to practice implementing them while speaking and in your writing.

2.7 Subject-verb agreement

This is probably one of the mistakes IELTS candidates make most frequently. To avoid it, you need to make sure the subject and verb in a sentence are in agreement. If your subject is in plural form, your verb needs to be as well.

It’s important to note that there are a few exceptions; you can learn more about them on Benchmark.

Incorrect: The group of students raise an important issue.
Correct: The group of students raises an important issue.

2.8 Sentence structures

A high band score requires a combination of simple, compound and complex sentence structures. In order to structure these sentences correctly, you need to be comfortable creating the different types of sentences.

Create complex sentence structures by appropriately joining simple sentences together with linking words or relative pronouns.

Incorrect: The graph shows an increase. The number of visitors went up.
Correct: The graph shows an increase due to the significant rise in the number of visitors.

2.9 Gerunds and infinitives

This is a common mistake among candidates in the writing and speaking sections. There are a few cases where either the gerund or the infinitive of a verb can be used; for example: I like hiking and I like to hike. In both of these cases, the meaning stays the same.

However, there are rules that you need to follow to avoid incorrect use. Infinitives are mostly used when discussing purpose, whereas gerunds often follow prepositions in a sentence.

You can study more rules like this on Benchmark to avoid making any gerund or infinitive mistakes on your exam.

Incorrect: Most people agree to recycle is very important.

Correct: Most people agree recycling is very important.

3. Top Grammar Tips