[Gramm]ar + [Accur]acy = Bandscore

The Complete IELTS Grammar Guide

Grammar in IELTS is not about complicated sentences everywhere. You need accurate grammar plus a good range of structures. Here's everything you actually need to master.

What you actually need to know

Focus on these four areas and most of your marks are covered.

The 4 areas you should master

Area	What IELTS expects
Tenses	Correct use of present, past, future and perfect forms
Sentence structures	Simple, compound, complex and mixed sentences
Grammar accuracy	Few errors with articles, prepositions, subject–verb agreement
Range	Ability to use different grammatical structures naturally

The grammar essentials

1 Sentence structures

Simple sentence

One independent clause.

People use public transport.

Compound sentence

Two independent clauses joined by and, but, so, or, yet.

Public transport is affordable, but many people still prefer private cars.

Complex sentence

An independent clause + a dependent clause.

Although public transport is affordable, many people prefer private cars.

Useful subordinating words: although, while, whereas, because, since, if, when, unless, which, who, that.

Complex + compound

Although public transport is affordable, many people prefer private cars, and this increases traffic congestion.

For Band 7+, be comfortable mixing all of these.

2 Tenses

You don't need every tense — use the appropriate one correctly.

Present simple — facts & opinions

Many people use social media every day.

Present continuous — happening now

More people are becoming concerned about climate change.

Past simple — completed events

The government introduced the policy in 2015.

Present perfect — connected to the present

Technology has transformed the way people communicate.

Future

Governments will need to invest more in public transport.

✗ Common mistake: “Technology has changed dramatically in 2010.”
✓ Correct: “Technology changed dramatically in 2010.” — 2010 is a finished past time, so use past simple.

3 Subject–verb agreement

One of the most common IELTS grammar problems.

Singular → The government is responsible.
Plural → Governments are responsible.

Be careful with words between the subject and verb:

✗ The number of people are increasing.
✓ The number of people is increasing.

The number of + plural noun → singular verb
A number of + plural noun → plural verb

4 Articles: a, an, the

Extremely important, especially for Indian IELTS learners.

a / an — one non-specific thing

I bought a book. · It is an important issue.

the — when it's specific or already known

The government should improve the education system.

No article — general plural ideas

✗ The people need better education.
✓ People need better education.
But: “The people in this region need better education” — a specific group.

5 Countable & uncountable nouns

Don't add “s” to uncountable nouns.

✗ informations · advices · researches · equipments
✓ information · advice · research · equipment

✗ The government should provide useful advices.
✓ The government should provide useful advice.

6 Prepositions

Small errors that repeatedly lower your accuracy score.

✗ discuss about the problem → ✓ discuss the problem
✗ depend of technology → ✓ depend on technology
✗ responsible of → ✓ responsible for
✗ increase in 20% → ✓ increase by 20%
✗ interested on → ✓ interested in

7 Comparatives

Very useful for Task 1.

50 is higher than 30. · The new system is more efficient than the old one. · 2025 recorded the highest figure.

✗ more better · more easier ✓ better · easier

8 Passive voice

Very useful in academic writing and Task 1.

Active: The government introduced a new policy.
Passive: A new policy was introduced by the government.

Useful structures: is/are produced · was/were built · has/have been introduced · will be developed · can be improved. Don't force it everywhere.

9 Relative clauses

who — Students who study regularly are more likely to succeed.
which — Technology has changed communication, which has made information more accessible.
that — The policy that was introduced last year has had positive effects.

10 Conditionals

First — real possibility

If governments invest in public transport, traffic congestion will decrease.

Second — hypothetical

If governments invested more in public transport, traffic congestion would decrease.

Third — past hypothetical

If the government had acted earlier, the problem might have been avoided.

11 Modal verbs

should — Governments should invest in education.
must — Governments must take immediate action.
can — Technology can improve access to education.
could — This policy could reduce unemployment.
might / may — This measure might have negative consequences.

✗ Governments should to invest… ✓ Governments should invest…

12 Gerunds & infinitives

After certain verbs → -ing: People enjoy travelling. · Governments should consider introducing new policies.

After certain verbs → to + verb: Governments need to invest more. · People want to improve their skills.

After prepositions → -ing: This can be achieved by providing better facilities. (not “by provide”)

13 Linking your grammar

Instead of: “People use cars. Cars cause pollution. Pollution affects health.”

People use cars extensively, which contributes to air pollution and can negatively affect public health.

This demonstrates greater grammatical range.

What Band 5 – 9 grammar looks like

5Frequent errors make sentences hard to understand.

6Simple + some complex structures; errors occur regularly.

7Variety of complex structures; most sentences error-free.

8Wide range used flexibly; majority error-free.

9Full flexibility and control; errors extremely rare.

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