TOP TEN Grammar Rules for IELTS Writing: Essential Tips for Candidates

Understanding and mastering grammar is essential for achieving a high score in the IELTS Writing test, as it accounts for 25% of your total score under the Grammatical Range and Accuracy criterion. Here are the top ten grammar rules you should know:

1. Subject-Verb Agreement:

The verb of a sentence must agree in number with its subject. For example, in the sentence, “The prevalence of fast-food outlets has increased,” ‘prevalence’ is singular, so ‘has’ is the appropriate verb form, not ‘have’.

2. Correct Tense Usage:

The correct tense should be applied for accurate time references. For example, when commenting on a past trend in a Task 1 chart, you might write: “In 2000, online sales surged by 20%, surpassing all the other categories.”

3. Proper Use of Articles:

‘A’, ‘an’, and ‘the’ can significantly affect sentence meaning. For example, “A recent study suggests…” uses the indefinite article ‘a’ because it could be any study, while “The global temperature has risen…” refers to a specific, known issue.

4. Appropriate Use of Pronouns:

Pronouns should clearly refer to a specific noun, and their case must suit their role in the sentence. For example, “Students must take their examinations seriously.” Here, ‘their’ clearly refers to ‘students’ and agrees in number and person.

5. Correct Sentence Structure:

English sentences follow a Subject-Verb-Object structure. For example, “The government (subject) should implement (verb) stricter environmental laws (object).” Using varied sentence structures, including compound and complex sentences, can demonstrate your linguistic range.

6. Appropriate Use of Conjunctions:

Conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses. For example, “Air pollution is a severe issue, but it can be mitigated with concerted efforts.” Here, ‘but’ links two contrasting ideas.

7. Correct Use of Modals:

Modal verbs express different states like ability, necessity, or advice. For instance, “Authorities must enforce (necessity) laws to protect endangered species.”

8. Proper Use of Prepositions:

Prepositions show relationships in time, place, or direction. For instance, “The percentage of unemployed graduates increased from 5% in 2010 to 8% in 2020.” Here, ‘from’ and ‘to’ show the change in time.

9. Use of Active and Passive Voice:

Both are valid in English, and your choice should depend on the context and your intended message. For example, passive voice is often used in Task 1 to focus on the action rather than who performed it, as in “It was found that urban populations are growing rapidly.”

10. Punctuation Rules:

Proper punctuation is crucial for clear writing. For instance, “The city has a vibrant night scene; there are numerous restaurants, bars, and theatres.” Here, the semi-colon separates closely related independent clauses.

Remember, mastering these rules takes time and practice. Review these rules regularly, apply them in your writing tasks, and seek feedback from a tutor or language exchange partner to correct any mistakes. Consistent practice will lead to a better understanding of grammar rules and improve your IELTS Writing score.

Unlock Your IELTS Success with Essay King Grammar Book

Having shared these essential grammar rules, it’s worth mentioning that understanding and applying them in practice is the real challenge. To help you achieve this, we strongly recommend the Essay King Grammar Book course, specially designed for IELTS learners. The Essay King Grammar Book course provides in-depth and practical knowledge about IELTS Grammar. It dives deeper into each of the mentioned rules and offers practical exercises to reinforce your learning. Along with clear explanations, it provides real-life examples from IELTS essays to ensure you understand how to apply these rules in your writing tasks.

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Whether you’re starting your IELTS preparation or looking to improve your grammar skills for a higher band score, this in-app course will guide you at every step of your journey. Not only will it help you avoid common grammatical errors, but it will also equip you with the skills to write more accurately and confidently.

Good luck with your IELTS preparation, and remember, practice makes perfect!