Grammar for IELTS: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025

Grammar for IELTS: An Overview

Aspiring to score high in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 2023? Undoubtedly, mastering grammar for IELTS is key to achieving this ambition. A proficient grasp of English grammar will increase your overall language accuracy and positively impact your coherence and cohesion in the writing and speaking sections. According to recent statistics, grammatical range and accuracy account for 25% of your scores in these sections. With such a significant stake, you can’t afford to overlook the importance of grammar.

Importance of Grammar for IELTS

Grammar plays a crucial role in the IELTS exam because it directly influences your scores in both the Writing and Speaking sections, while also supporting performance in Reading and Listening. Here’s why it matters:

Accuracy in Expression

IELTS examiners look for your ability to communicate ideas clearly. Grammatical errors can distort meaning, making it harder for examiners to follow your argument or response. For example, misusing tenses can confuse timelines in essays or stories.

Band Score Criteria

Grammar is part of the “Grammatical Range and Accuracy” criterion, which accounts for 25% of the Writing and Speaking band scores. To achieve a high band (7.0+), you must demonstrate control over complex sentences, correct tense usage, and minimal errors.

Range of Structures

Using only simple sentences can limit your score. IELTS rewards candidates who show variety—mixing simple, compound, and complex sentences. This demonstrates flexibility and sophistication in English use.

Confidence in Speaking

Strong grammar helps you speak fluently without frequent corrections. Even though fluency is separate from grammar, making fewer mistakes reduces hesitation and boosts overall confidence.

Better Comprehension

A good grasp of grammar improves your understanding of complex questions in the Reading and Listening sections. If you can quickly process structures like conditionals, passive voice, or relative clauses, you’ll answer more accurately.

Grammar Syllabus for IELTS

Let’s break down the Grammar Syllabus for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training separately. While both versions of the IELTS test the same grammar concepts, the application and context differ. Academic IELTS leans towards formal/academic structures, while General IELTS emphasises everyday, workplace, and social contexts.

IELTS Academic Grammar Syllabus

Tenses

Mastery of all twelve tenses is vital, especially for describing data trends, research outcomes, or hypothetical ideas in essays. Accurate tense use ensures clarity in sequencing events and expressing academic arguments effectively.

Sentence Structures

Academic writing requires a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences. Using subordinate clauses and varied sentence patterns shows range and sophistication, helping you score higher in grammatical range and accuracy.

Articles & Determiners

Correct use of “a,” “an,” and “the” is essential in presenting precise academic claims. Determiners like “some,” “many,” and “few” are often needed when describing statistics or generalising ideas.

Subject–Verb Agreement

Ensuring verbs match their subjects avoids confusion in long, complex sentences. This is especially important when describing research findings or writing detailed explanations in Task 2 essays.

Nouns & Pronouns

Distinguishing between countable and uncountable nouns is key when describing quantities in academic reports. Clear pronoun referencing ensures that your writing flows logically without ambiguity.

Adjectives & Adverbs

Academic tasks demand precise modifiers like “significantly,” “considerably,” or “remarkably.” Using comparative and superlative forms strengthens your ability to describe changes and contrasts in data.

Prepositions

Prepositions such as “increase in,” “decline by,” or “responsible for” are crucial in academic contexts. Misuse can change the meaning, so learning set prepositional phrases is essential.

Conditionals

Conditionals express hypothetical situations, predictions, and consequences. In academic essays, they help frame balanced arguments and present potential solutions to problems.

Modal Verbs

Words like “must,” “should,” or “might” allow you to show necessity, possibility, or suggestion. They help maintain the formal, academic tone expected in IELTS essays.

Reported Speech

Indirect speech is often used in Task 2 to reference experts, research, or opinions. It demonstrates advanced grammar control and improves formality in writing.

IELTS General Training Grammar Syllabus

Tenses

General IELTS emphasises the correct use of narrative tenses for letters and everyday storytelling. You’ll often switch between past, present, and future when describing experiences or making plans.

Sentence Structures

Clarity matters most, so simple and compound sentences are commonly used. Linking words like “because,” “although,” and “however” make your writing sound natural and coherent.

Articles & Determiners

Articles are used frequently in letters, e.g., “I bought a car” or “Thanks for the advice.” Determiners help you sound natural in everyday descriptions or requests.

Subject–Verb Agreement

In letters and informal essays, correct subject–verb agreement makes your responses sound fluent and accurate. Mistakes here can make even simple sentences confusing.

Nouns & Pronouns

Using pronouns clearly is essential to avoid repetition in personal letters. For instance, “I met my friend. He invited me” flows better than repeating nouns unnecessarily.

Adjectives & Adverbs

Letters often require descriptive words to explain feelings, experiences, or events. Phrases like “an inspiring trip” or “an invaluable colleague” make your writing expressive.

Prepositions

Everyday English relies heavily on prepositions like “on Monday,” “at work,” or “for help.” Using them correctly ensures your writing and speaking sound natural and fluent.

Conditionals

Conditionals are ordinary in polite requests and hypothetical letters, e.g., “If you could send me the details, I would be grateful.” They help maintain politeness in tone.

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs like “could,” “would,” and “may” are especially useful for making polite requests in letters. They also help express necessity in the workplace or social contexts.

Reported Speech

In conversations or letters, you may need to report what others said, e.g., “She told me she’d arrive tomorrow.” This skill keeps communication clear and natural.

Best Grammar Books and Resources for IELTS

Investing in the best grammar book for IELTS could make a significant difference in your preparation. Here are the top three books highly recommended by IELTS tutors and successful test-takers:

• English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy: This book is an excellent resource for mastering basic English grammar for IELTS. It provides clear explanations and practical exercises for self-study.
• Grammar for IELTS by Diane Hopkins and Pauline Cullen: Specifically designed for IELTS preparation, this book offers grammar points related to IELTS tasks with a wide range of practice exercises.
• Advanced Grammar in Use by Martin Hewings: If you are aiming for band scores 7 and above, this book offers comprehensive coverage of advanced grammar topics.

Apart from books, you can also find grammar exercises online and a free download for IELTS grammar in the form of eBooks and worksheets. Websites such as IELTS Buddy and British Council provide a plethora of such resources.

Strategies to Improve Grammar for IELTS

Knowing grammar rules is one thing, but being able to use them accurately and effectively in your writing and speaking is another. Here are three strategies to improve grammar for IELTS:

• Practice Regularly: Like any other skill, consistent practice is key to improving grammar. Regular writing and speaking practice will help you identify your grammatical weaknesses and work on them.
• Review and Correct: After writing or speaking, take the time to review and correct your mistakes. This exercise is crucial for learning from errors and preventing them from repeating.
• Learn in Context: Try to learn grammar in context rather than in isolation. Reading English books and newspapers or listening to podcasts can be a great way to understand the application of grammar rules.

5 Grammar Basics to know for IELTS

If you’re gearing up for IELTS, you don’t need to drown in every grammar book ever written — but you do need a firm grip on the basics that examiners look for. Here are the five grammar basics you must know for IELTS:

Tenses and Consistency

IELTS loves testing your ability to talk about the past, present, and future smoothly. Whether it’s describing a graph trend (Academic) or narrating an experience (General), accurate tense use is non-negotiable. Switching tenses randomly = instant confusion.

Sentence Structures

Short and simple sentences won’t cut it for a high band. Mix it up with compound and complex sentences using connectors (although, because, whereas). Variety shows range, and range = higher scores in writing and speaking.

Articles (a, an, the)

Yes, those tiny words are big troublemakers! Misusing or skipping them is one of the most common IELTS grammar mistakes. They’re crucial for clarity — “I saw a cat” is not the same as “I saw the cat.”

Subject–Verb Agreement

Simple but deadly. If your subject is singular, your verb must be singular (“He goes”), and if it’s plural, your verb must be plural (“They go”). Errors here stand out like neon lights in both speaking and writing.

Prepositions

IELTS examiners notice if you say “increase by 20%” versus “increase to 20%.” Prepositions (in, on, at, by, for, of, etc.) are small words with significant impact, and mastering them helps you sound precise and natural.

Leveraging Technology to Improve Grammar for IELTS

In this era of digital advancements, a wide variety of online tools can significantly aid in enhancing your grammar skills. From real-time corrections to comprehensive courses, technology has revolutionised the way we learn grammar. Below are some key tech resources to streamline your grammar for the IELTS journey:

Grammar correction tools

• Grammarly: Grammarly stands out as one of the most effective digital tools for grammar improvement. It identifies grammar mistakes in your text in real time and suggests corrections. It’s an excellent tool to refine your writing for IELTS, providing feedback not only on grammatical errors but also on punctuation, word choice, and style.
• Ginger: Ginger is another helpful tool for grammar correction. It’s particularly beneficial for non-native speakers as it provides translations and definitions of words, helping users to understand and use the language more effectively.

Online learning Platforms

Several platforms provide extensive courses to bolster your English grammar for IELTS:

• Coursera: Coursera offers a vast range of grammar courses, from basic to advanced, curated by renowned universities. Some even focus specifically on IELTS grammar preparation.
• Udemy: Udemy features several high-quality courses on IELTS grammar. These are typically self-paced, allowing you to learn at your convenience.
• FutureLearn: In partnership with top institutions, FutureLearn provides courses covering different aspects of English grammar. The platform’s interactive design and peer review system promote effective learning.

Mobile applications

Several mobile applications, such as English Grammar in Use and IELTS Prep App, offer on-the-go learning. These apps provide interactive exercises, mini-tests, and comprehensive explanations that can considerably improve your grammar understanding.

Access to Free Resources

An added advantage of these digital tools is the option to access a free download of grammar for IELTS. Many platforms provide free supplementary study materials, such as eBooks, worksheets, and practice tests, which can significantly assist in your IELTS preparation.

Technology can significantly enhance your IELTS grammar preparation. Harnessing these resources can help you avoid common mistakes, understand grammar rules better, and, ultimately, score higher in your IELTS test.

Key Takeaways

• Grammar contributes to 25% of your scores in the IELTS writing and speaking sections. Hence, a good understanding of English grammar for IELTS is crucial.
• Best resources for grammar preparation include books like English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy, Grammar for IELTS by Diane Hopkins and Pauline Cullen, and online resources from IELTS Buddy and British Council.
• Regular practice, self-review, and correction, learning in context, and leveraging online grammar tools can significantly improve grammar for IELTS.

We hope you now know the syllabus and the importance of grammar for IELTS. Feel free to reach out to us for assistance with your IELTS prep, or drop a comment below.

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FAQs

Question 1. What is included in the basic grammar for IELTS?

Answer- Basic grammar for IELTS includes understanding and effectively using verb tenses, sentence structures, prepositions, articles, conjunctions, punctuation, passive voice, conditionals, modal verbs, and relative clauses.

Question 2. What are some recommended books to improve English grammar for IELTS?

Answer- Top books include English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy, Grammar for IELTS by Diane Hopkins and Pauline Cullen, and Advanced Grammar in Use by Martin Hewings.

Question 3. How can I improve my grammar for IELTS?

Answer- Regular grammar practice, self-review, and correction of mistakes, learning grammar in context by reading English books and listening to podcasts, along with the use of online grammar tools, can help improve your grammar skills.