Grammar is the backbone of English communication and is critical for achieving a high IELTS band score. Both Writing and Speaking modules are heavily influenced by your ability to use correct grammar, while Listening and Reading require a strong grasp of grammatical structures to fully comprehend text and audio.
For Bangladeshi students, common difficulties include verb tenses, sentence structure, punctuation, and active/passive voice usage. This guide will help you master grammar, avoid errors, and gain confidence for all IELTS sections.
Why Grammar is Essential for IELTS
Grammar is a fundamental part of English fluency. Even though IELTS does not have a separate grammar section, accuracy in grammar affects your score in Writing and Speaking directly. Moreover, comprehension in Reading and Listening often depends on understanding grammatical relationships in sentences.
Tip: Correct grammar ensures your ideas are clear, concise, and professional — a key factor for higher band scores.
How Grammar is Assessed in IELTS
Writing Band Descriptors
The Writing section evaluates grammar under Grammatical Range and Accuracy. The criteria include the range of sentence structures, error frequency, and punctuation usage.
| Band | Description |
| 9 | Full flexibility, accurate punctuation, rare minor errors |
| 8 | Wide range of structures, mostly error-free |
| 7 | Variety of complex structures with some errors |
| 6 | Mix of simple and complex forms, errors rarely impede communication |
| 5 | Limited structures, frequent grammatical errors |
| 4 | Very basic sentence forms, frequent errors |
| 3–1 | Minimal or no grammatical control, major communication issues |
Speaking Band Descriptors
Grammar is also crucial in Speaking, under Grammatical Range and Accuracy:
| Band | Description |
| 9 | Precise structures, errors only like native speaker speech |
| 8 | Wide range, mostly error-free |
| 7 | Flexibly uses simple and complex sentences, few errors |
| 6 | Mix of short and complex sentences, limited flexibility |
| 5 | Basic forms fairly controlled, errors common in complex forms |
| 4–1 | Minimal grammatical control, many errors |
Five Grammar Basics Every IELTS Candidate Should Know
1. Sentence Structures
Use a mix of sentence types:
- Simple: I study English daily.
- Compound: I study daily, and I practice speaking every evening.
- Complex: Although I am tired, I still complete my grammar exercises.
- Compound-Complex: Although I am tired, I study English daily, and I also practice speaking with my friends.
2. Word Order
Correct word order ensures clarity.
Guideline for sentences:
- Subject + Auxiliary Verb + Main Verb + Object + Adverb of Time
Correct: They studied student behavior for five years.
Incorrect: They for five years studied student behavior.
Guideline for questions:
- Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb + Object
Correct: Have you studied student behavior?
Incorrect: You have studied student behavior?
3. Tenses
Proper tense use communicates time accurately.
| Tense | Example |
| Simple Past | I took my IELTS test yesterday. |
| Past Continuous | I was studying grammar yesterday. |
| Past Perfect | I had studied before the mock test. |
| Present Simple | I study English every day. |
| Present Continuous | I am studying for my IELTS today. |
| Present Perfect | I have studied for three years. |
| Future | I will take the IELTS next month. |
Tip: Consistency is key. Avoid switching tenses mid-paragraph.
4. Punctuation
Correct punctuation enhances meaning:
- Commas (,): Separate clauses or items in a list.
- Full stops (.): End a sentence.
- Apostrophes (’): Indicate possession.
- Colons & Semicolons: Connect related ideas.
Example:
- Correct: Susan enjoys cooking, her cat, and her dog.
- Incorrect: Susan enjoys cooking her cat and her dog.
5. Active and Passive Voice
- Active: The student completed the essay. (Direct and concise)
- Passive: The essay was completed by the student. (Formal, suitable for academic writing)
Tip: Use active voice in Speaking; passive is often preferred in Academic Writing.
Grammar in IELTS Writing
- Academic Task 1: Describe graphs, tables, or diagrams.
- Academic Task 2: Write an essay expressing an opinion, argument, or solution.
- General Training Task 1: Write a letter (formal, semi-formal, or informal).
- General Training Task 2: Write a short essay with personal examples.
Practice: After writing, review your essay, underline grammar errors, and rewrite to improve.
Grammar in IELTS Speaking
- Part 1: General questions (home, family, hobbies).
- Part 2: Long turn on a given topic.
- Part 3: Discussion on abstract ideas or opinions.
Practice Tips:
- Record yourself answering questions.
- Listen for grammatical mistakes.
- Repractice problematic sentences until fluent.
Grammar in IELTS Listening and Reading
- Listening: Comprehension relies on understanding grammar, e.g., tense and prepositions.
- Reading: Understanding sentence structure helps infer meaning.
Practice Tips:
- Listen to English podcasts, news, or audiobooks.
- Read academic and general English articles.
- Focus on sentence structure, tenses, and collocations.
Tips to Improve Grammar Quickly
- Focus on weak areas: tenses, articles, prepositions.
- Practice daily: write essays, speak with friends.
- Use apps: Grammarly, Hemingway, British Council Learn English.
- Take mock tests and self-evaluate.
- Keep a grammar mistake diary and review regularly.
Common Mistakes Bangladeshi Students Make
- Switching tenses mid-paragraph.
- Incorrect subject-verb agreement.
- Misuse of articles (a, an, the).
- Incorrect prepositions.
- Overusing simple sentences.
- Ignoring punctuation.
FAQs
Q1: Why is grammar important for IELTS?
Grammar ensures clarity, accuracy, and coherence in Writing and Speaking, impacting your band score.
Q2: Which grammar topics should I focus on?
Tenses, sentence structures, punctuation, articles, prepositions, and active/passive voice.
Q3: How can Bangladeshi students practice grammar effectively?
Use BIIC lessons, online exercises, mock tests, and speaking practice.
Q4: Does grammar affect IELTS Listening and Reading?
Yes, understanding grammar helps in comprehension and accurate answers.
Q5: Can grammar be improved quickly?
Yes, with focused practice, review, and daily use of English.
Contact us today to get started on the Banglay IELTS.
Website: https://banglayielts.com/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/BanglayIELTS
Call Now: +8801329719513