Grammar is a crucial component of your IELTS score, contributing a full 25% to your score in both the Speaking and Writing sections. For many Bangladeshi students, mastering complex English grammar rules can be challenging. However, with the right approach and guidance from Banglay IELTS, you can confidently improve your grammatical range and accuracy to achieve a high band score.
In this guide, we’ll break down the key aspects of IELTS grammar, explain how it is assessed, and highlight the most common mistakes to avoid.
How is Grammar Scored in the IELTS Exam?
IELTS examiners evaluate your grammar based on two key criteria: Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
- Grammatical Range: This refers to your ability to use a wide variety of sentence structures. Examiners look for a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences. A high score requires you to use different tenses, conditional clauses, and other advanced structures correctly and naturally.
- Grammatical Accuracy: This is about how often you make mistakes. A high band score means you have a high percentage of error-free sentences. Minor mistakes may be acceptable, but frequent errors, especially in basic grammar, will significantly lower your score.
What Are the Most Common IELTS Grammar Mistakes?
Many students make similar grammar mistakes. By being aware of these, you can work to eliminate them from your writing and speaking.
- Subject-Verb Agreement: This is a very common error. Remember that singular subjects take singular verbs (e.g., “The student is studying”), and plural subjects take plural verbs (e.g., “The students are studying”).
- Incorrect Tense Usage: Using the wrong verb tense can confuse the examiner and lower your score. Make sure you use the past tense for past events, the present tense for current facts, and future forms for future actions.
- Article (a/an/the) Errors: For students whose native language doesn’t use articles, this can be tricky. Use “a” or “an” for general nouns and “the” for specific or previously mentioned nouns. For example, “I saw a dog. The dog was big.”
- Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices: Combining two independent clauses with only a comma is a comma splice, and combining them without any punctuation is a run-on sentence. You should use a full stop, a semicolon, or a conjunction to link them correctly.
Essential Grammar for IELTS Writing & Speaking
To score a Band 7 or higher, you must demonstrate a command of varied grammatical structures.
For Writing ✍️
- Complex Sentences: Use conjunctions like “although,” “while,” “because,” and “since” to show a connection between ideas. For example, “Although the cost of living has risen, the quality of education remains high.”
- Relative Clauses: Use “which,” “who,” “that,” and “where” to add extra information to a sentence. For example, “Dhaka is a bustling city, which is a major hub for trade.”
- Conditional Sentences: Practice using first, second, and third conditionals to express hypothetical situations. For example, “If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.”
For Speaking ️
- Tense Variety: Be prepared to talk about past experiences (Past Simple, Present Perfect), current habits (Present Simple), and future plans (Future Simple, “going to”).
- Linking Words: Use a range of discourse markers and linking words to connect your ideas smoothly, such as “in addition,” “however,” “for example,” and “to sum up.”
- Self-Correction: It’s okay to make a mistake and correct yourself naturally. This shows the examiner that you have an awareness of your grammar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do grammar mistakes matter in the IELTS Speaking test?
Yes, they matter significantly. Grammar contributes to 25% of your Speaking score. Occasional minor mistakes are acceptable, but frequent errors will prevent you from achieving a high band score.
What is the best way to improve my IELTS grammar?
The best way to improve is through targeted practice. Start by identifying your common mistakes and then focus on mastering those specific rules. Use a variety of resources, practice writing and speaking regularly, and get feedback from an expert.
Can I use simple sentences and still get a high score?
While simple sentences are accurate, using them exclusively will limit your Grammatical Range score. To get a Band 7 or higher, you must show you can use a mix of sentence structures with accuracy and flexibility.
Master Your IELTS Grammar with Banglay IELTS
Grammar can be the difference between a good score and a great one. At Banglay IELTS, founded by Rashed Hossain, we provide personalized coaching that focuses on your individual grammar weaknesses. Our expert instructors offer practical strategies and tailored feedback to help you build a strong grammatical foundation for both the Writing and Speaking tests.
Whether you’re looking for Dhaka IELTS coaching, specialized IELTS preparation in Sylhet, or a trusted study abroad consultancy in Chittagong, Banglay IELTS is your go-to solution. Our comprehensive approach ensures you are fully prepared to achieve your target score.
Contact us today to get started.
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