Grammar for IELTS Writing
Learn how the Grammatical Range and Accuracy criterion is assessed in IELTS Writing, and how to write sentences that demonstrate both.
Range, alongside accuracy
IELTS Writing rewards a genuine variety of correctly formed sentences.
IELTS Writing is scored partly on Grammatical Range and Accuracy. This criterion looks at two separate things: how varied the sentence structures are, and how accurately those structures are used. A high score generally needs both, not one at the expense of the other.
In the sentences The population increased. Then it decreased. and Although the population increased initially, it later decreased., both describe the same information, but the second combines the ideas into a single complex sentence, demonstrating a wider grammatical range.
This lesson focuses on the grammatical structures that demonstrate range, and the accuracy issues that most often reduce a score, regardless of the task being answered.
Before you begin
IELTS Writing grammar builds on general academic and formal English.
This lesson assumes familiarity with the features of formal and academic English in general. If either topic needs review, begin there before working through the exam-specific guidance below.
The central idea
Range and accuracy are assessed as two separate qualities.
Compare a simple, accurate sentence with a wider-ranging, equally accurate one.
01
Accurate, Limited Range
Correct, but relies on short, simple sentences throughout.
The population increased. Then it decreased.
02
Accurate, Wider Range
Correct, and combines ideas using a subordinate clause.
Although the population increased initially, it later decreased.
A wider range only helps if it stays accurate.
A complex sentence written incorrectly generally scores lower than a correct simple one. Range is only credited alongside accuracy, not instead of it.
Structures that demonstrate range
Subordinate clauses combine ideas that could otherwise sit in separate sentences.
Relative clauses
Simple: The graph shows sales figures. The figures cover five years.
Complex: The graph shows sales figures, which cover five years.
Conditional clauses
If this trend continues, the population will double within a decade.
Clauses with although, since and while
While overall spending fell, spending on healthcare continued to rise.
These connectors combine a contrast, a reason or a comparison directly into one sentence, rather than stating each idea separately.
A variety of tenses
The task usually determines which tenses are needed.
Describing a completed trend
Sales rose steadily between 2015 and 2020.
A graph covering a finished time period generally calls for the past simple throughout.
Describing a general process or a prediction
If this trend continues, sales will exceed last year’s total.
A prediction based on a trend generally calls for the first conditional pattern.
Discussing an opinion or an argument
Many people believe that remote work has improved productivity.
An essay discussing an ongoing debate generally relies more on the present simple and present perfect.
Cohesive devices
Linking words connect ideas, but only when used naturally.
A natural use of a linking word
The cost of housing has risen sharply. As a result, many young people are renting for longer.
Overusing linking words
Not: Firstly, moreover, in addition, this shows that prices rose.
Correct: This shows that prices rose.
Stacking several linking words together, without a clear reason, reads as unnatural rather than more sophisticated.
A useful decision guide
Check both range and accuracy before moving on.
01
Are most sentences a similar, simple length?
Look for two related ideas that could combine into one complex sentence.
02
Does a complex sentence still read correctly?
Check subject-verb agreement and clause punctuation before relying on it.
03
Does the tense match what the task is describing?
A finished trend, a prediction and a general argument generally call for different tenses.
04
Are linking words used naturally, one at a time?
Remove any that are stacked together without a clear reason.
Common mistakes
Do not sacrifice accuracy for the sake of range.
Attempting a complex sentence that breaks down.
Not: Although the population increased initially, but it later decreased.
Correct: Although the population increased initially, it later decreased.
“Although” and “but” cannot both introduce the contrast in the same sentence.
Relying on memorised, formulaic sentences.
Not: It is a double-edged sword that has both advantages and disadvantages.
Correct: This approach offers clear benefits, but it also creates new risks.
Overused, memorised phrases are generally recognised as such, and do not demonstrate genuine grammatical range.
Mixing tenses within the same description.
Not: Sales rose steadily, and it will continue to grow last year.
Correct: Sales rose steadily, and are expected to continue growing.
A description of a completed trend should stay in a consistent, appropriate tense throughout.
Check your understanding
Does the sentence demonstrate range and accuracy?
Choose the correct answer for each sentence.
Which sentence is correctly formed?
✅ Exactly! “Although” and “but” cannot both introduce the contrast in the same sentence.
❎ Not quite. Check whether both “although” and “but” appear in the same sentence.
Only one contrast connector is needed.
Which sentence demonstrates a wider grammatical range, while remaining accurate?
✅ Exactly! The relative clause combines both ideas into one sentence.
❎ Not quite. Compare which version uses a relative clause.
Which sentence uses linking words more naturally?
✅ Exactly! Stacking several linking words together reads as unnatural.
❎ Not quite. Count how many linking words appear at the start of each sentence.
Which sentence keeps a consistent tense?
✅ Exactly! This version keeps the timeline consistent, without mixing “will” and “last year.”
❎ Not quite. Check whether the tenses used match a single, consistent timeline.
Choose the best explanation
Select the sentence that explains the IELTS grammar criterion correctly.
Why does an accurate simple sentence generally score higher than an inaccurate complex one?
✅ Exactly! Range is only credited alongside accuracy, not instead of it.
❎ Not quite. Think about how the two halves of the criterion interact.
Why is a memorised, formulaic sentence unlikely to demonstrate genuine grammatical range?
✅ Exactly! Genuine range comes from the writer’s own varied, accurate sentence construction.
❎ Not quite. Think about what “range” is actually meant to demonstrate.
Why does the tense used in a Task 1 description often depend on whether the time period is finished?
✅ Exactly! Matching the tense to the timeline is part of grammatical accuracy.
❎ Not quite. Compare a graph ending in the past with one that includes a prediction.
Try it another way
Complete each sentence with the correct word or phrase.
Type the missing word or words shown in brackets.
✅ Exactly! “Which” introduces the relative clause here.
❎ Not quite. Use the relative pronoun for a non-human noun.
✅ Exactly! “Will double” completes the first conditional main clause.
❎ Not quite. Use “will” plus the base form of “double.”
✅ Exactly! “Although” introduces the contrast on its own, without “but.”
❎ Not quite. Use a single contrast connector, not paired with “but.”
Edit the sentence
Rewrite each sentence to demonstrate stronger range or accuracy.
Use the note in brackets to decide what needs to change.
The graph shows sales figures. The figures cover five years. (combine using a relative clause)
✅ Exactly! The relative clause combines both ideas into a single, wider-ranging sentence.
❎ Not quite. Join the two sentences with “which.”
Although the population increased initially, but it later decreased. (remove the extra connector)
✅ Exactly! Only one contrast connector is needed.
❎ Not quite. Remove “but” from the sentence.
It is a double-edged sword that has both advantages and disadvantages. (rewrite without the memorised phrase)
✅ Exactly! This version expresses the same idea in original, natural phrasing.
❎ Not quite. Replace the memorised phrase with an original sentence expressing the same contrast.
Quick review
Grammatical Range and Accuracy assesses variety and correctness together.
Relative clauses, conditional clauses and connectors like although and while demonstrate a wider sentence range.
The tense used should match what the task actually describes, whether a finished trend, a prediction or an ongoing argument.
Linking words work best used naturally and sparingly, not stacked together.
A complex sentence written incorrectly generally scores lower than a correct simple one.
Memorised, formulaic phrases do not demonstrate genuine grammatical range.
Remember
Build range from structures you can use accurately.
A wider grammatical range only helps when it stays correct. Practising relative clauses, conditional clauses and formal connectors until they can be used reliably is more valuable than attempting a complex structure for the first time inside an exam.