IELTS Grammar: The Structures That Raise Your Band
One of the four things IELTS marks is Grammatical Range and Accuracy. This lesson covers the structures that show 'range' and the checks that protect 'accuracy', the two halves of that score in both Writing and Speaking.
What this question looks like
You are not tested on grammar with a separate paper. Instead, a quarter of your Writing band and a quarter of your Speaking band come from Grammatical Range and Accuracy. 'Range' means using a variety of structures, not just simple sentences; 'accuracy' means how often those structures are error-free. To reach band 7 you need to use complex sentences with only occasional errors; band 8 means a wide range with just slips.
Step-by-step approach
- 1Mix sentence types. Follow a simple sentence with a complex one so your writing does not read as a list of short statements. Range is impossible without complex sentences.
- 2Use subordinate clauses with words like although, while, because, whereas and if to join ideas and show the relationship between them.
- 3Add relative clauses (which, who, that, where) to add information smoothly: 'a policy that benefits everyone' rather than two short sentences.
- 4Use conditionals to discuss consequences: 'If governments invested more, congestion would fall.' This is a high-value Task 2 structure.
- 5Protect accuracy: after writing, check the three errors that cost the most, subject-verb agreement, articles (a/an/the), and singular versus plural nouns.
Worked example
Combine these two simple sentences into one complex sentence: 'Cities are becoming crowded. Governments are investing in public transport.'
'As cities become increasingly crowded, governments are investing in public transport to ease the pressure.'
The rewrite joins the two ideas with the subordinating conjunction 'as', which also shows a cause-and-effect relationship the two separate sentences only implied. It adds an infinitive of purpose ('to ease the pressure') and an adverb ('increasingly'). One controlled complex sentence like this demonstrates more range than two correct simple sentences, and range is half of the grammar score.
Try it yourself
Rewrite the simple sentences below as more sophisticated single sentences, using subordinate or relative clauses. Then reveal the model versions and compare.
Rewrite each pair as one complex sentence: 1. 'Online learning is convenient. It lacks face-to-face interaction.' 2. 'Renewable energy is expensive to build. It reduces pollution in the long term.'
Common mistakes
- !Writing only simple sentences. Without complex structures the grammar score is capped at band 5-6 however few errors you make.
- !Attempting complex sentences but making frequent errors. Accuracy is half the score, so control matters as much as ambition.
- !Overusing one linking phrase (for example, 'Moreover') until it becomes repetitive.
- !Ignoring small, high-frequency errors, articles, plurals and subject-verb agreement, which examiners notice immediately.
- !Memorising complex 'template' sentences that do not fit the question, which reads as unnatural and is marked down.
Quick quiz
1. What two things make up the Grammatical Range and Accuracy score?
2. Which sentence shows the most grammatical range?
3. Which errors should you check for first when proofreading?
Practise this in a real IELTS test
Take a free Writing test with expert evaluation and apply the technique under exam conditions.
Take a free Writing testIELTS Grammar: The Structures That Raise Your Band — FAQ
How important is grammar in IELTS Writing?
Very. Grammatical Range and Accuracy is one of the four equally-weighted criteria, so it is worth a quarter of your Writing band and a quarter of your Speaking band.
Do I need perfect grammar to get band 7 in IELTS?
No. Band 7 allows 'frequent error-free sentences' and only occasional errors, as long as you use a mix of complex structures. It is range plus good control, not perfection.
What grammar structures should I practise for IELTS?
Complex sentences with subordinate clauses (although, while, because), relative clauses (which, who, that) and conditionals (if...would) are the highest-value structures, because they let you show range while linking ideas clearly.