Grammar for IELTS: Building Range and Accuracy
Updated 2 July 2026 · 2 min read · ieltspractice.app
Grammatical Range and Accuracy is one of the four things examiners mark in Writing and Speaking. Range means using different sentence types. Accuracy means using them correctly. You do not need perfect grammar to reach Band 7, but you do need a mix of structures and mostly error-free sentences. This guide shows you the structures that lift your band and how to use them safely.
Range and accuracy work together
Range is variety: simple sentences, compound sentences and complex sentences all appearing in your work. Accuracy is control: your sentences are correct and easy to read.
You need both. Lots of complex sentences full of mistakes will not score well, and neither will perfect but very simple sentences. Aim for a mix that you can control.
The three sentence types
Simple: one idea. "Cities are growing." Clear and useful.
Compound: two ideas joined by and, but or so. "Cities are growing, so housing is expensive."
Complex: one main idea plus a supporting clause. "Because cities are growing, housing has become expensive." A good essay uses all three, with complex sentences appearing often.
High-value structures examiners reward
Relative clauses: "Students who study abroad often gain confidence." These add detail smoothly.
Conditionals: "If governments invested more, public transport would improve." Great for discussing solutions and results.
Complex noun phrases: "the rising cost of university education" packs meaning into a few words and reads well.
Accuracy: the errors that cost most
Watch subject and verb agreement: "people are", not "people is". Watch articles: a, an, the. Watch verb tenses, especially in Speaking when you tell a past story.
These small errors add up. Fixing agreement, articles and tense often does more for your score than trying to use rare grammar.
Punctuation counts too
A very common mistake is joining two full sentences with only a comma: "Cars pollute, cities suffer." This is a comma splice. Use a full stop, a semicolon, or a joining word like so.
Clean punctuation makes complex sentences easy to read, which supports both your grammar and your cohesion score.
Grow your range safely
Do not reach for grammar you cannot control. It is better to use a slightly simpler structure correctly than a complex one full of errors.
Practise a small set of reliable complex forms until they feel natural. A relative clause and a conditional you can use accurately are worth more than many risky attempts.
Quick check
Test yourself — tap an answer to see if you are right.
1. Which is a complex sentence?
2. What is the safest way to raise your grammar band?
3. Which sentence has a comma splice?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need perfect grammar for Band 7?
No. Band 7 allows some errors as long as they do not confuse the reader. You need a mix of sentence types and mostly accurate control.
Is it better to use complex grammar with mistakes or simple grammar correctly?
Correct simple grammar usually scores better than complex grammar full of errors. Build complexity only as far as you can control it.
What is a comma splice?
It is joining two complete sentences with only a comma. Fix it with a full stop, a semicolon, or a joining word such as so or because.
Which structures give the quickest improvement?
Relative clauses and conditionals add range fast, and fixing agreement, articles and tenses improves accuracy fast.
Sources
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