IELTS Grammar

IELTS Grammar — Complete Reference Guide

A full grammar textbook for IELTS candidates: all 12 tenses, Band 7+ complex structures, cleft sentences, inversion, all 4 conditionals, hedging, nominalization, Task 1 and Task 2 grammar, L1-specific errors, and 40 error-correction exercises.

Last updated: 2026 · 38 min read

Band-Level Grammar Requirements

IELTS Writing and Speaking both evaluate Grammatical Range and Accuracy as 25% of the total score. The key insight: moving from Band 6 to Band 7 is not primarily about fixing more errors — it is about demonstrating a wider range of structures, including complex ones, used with reasonable accuracy.

Band	Grammar Range	Accuracy	Priority for improvement
Band 5	Mostly simple sentences; some complex attempts with frequent errors	Errors are frequent; some impede understanding	Reduce basic errors; attempt complex structures even if imperfect
Band 6	Mix of simple and complex; errors frequent but rarely cause misunderstanding	Grammar mostly controlled; errors with complex structures	Use conditionals, relative clauses, and passive deliberately
Band 7	Variety of complex structures used with flexibility; some errors	Good control; errors occur but do not impede communication	Add cleft sentences, inversion, absolute phrases; ensure conditional accuracy
Band 8	Wide range with full flexibility; minor errors only	Mostly error-free; occasional slips only	Ensure complex structures are error-free; refine article/preposition usage
Band 9	Full range of structures naturally and accurately	Virtually error-free	Maintain control under exam pressure

Key insight for Band 6 → 7: Writing only simple sentences accurately will not get you past Band 6, even if every sentence is correct. You must demonstrate range. Attempt complex structures — even if you make occasional minor errors — to signal the range Band 7 requires.

All 12 Tenses with Form, Usage Rules, and 5 IELTS Examples Each

A comprehensive command of the full tense system is one of the clearest markers of Band 7+ grammatical range. Each tense below is shown with its form, primary use, and 5 IELTS-level examples.

1. Simple Present

Form: base verb / base verb + -s (3rd singular)

Use: General truths, scientific facts, current states, habitual actions, summarizing sources in Task 2.

Renewable energy sources produce significantly less carbon dioxide than fossil fuels.
Governments increasingly invest in infrastructure to support growing urban populations.
The graph shows a steady increase in global average temperatures between 2000 and 2020.
Children who attend pre-school education tend to perform better in later academic assessments.
Access to clean water remains a critical challenge in many developing nations.

2. Present Continuous

Form: am/is/are + verb-ing

Use: Actions in progress now; temporary situations; changing trends (Task 1).

Global temperatures are rising at an unprecedented rate.
Governments around the world are increasingly adopting renewable energy policies.
Urban populations are growing faster than infrastructure can accommodate.
The gap between the wealthiest and poorest nations is widening.
Scientists are currently investigating the long-term effects of microplastics on human health.

3. Present Perfect

Form: have/has + past participle

Use: Recent events with current relevance; changes over an unspecified period; experiences. Common in Task 1 for describing changes up to the present.

Global plastic production has increased exponentially since the 1950s.
Many governments have implemented carbon taxes to reduce industrial emissions.
The number of internet users has grown from under 1 billion in 2000 to over 5 billion today.
Researchers have identified a strong correlation between diet and the risk of chronic disease.
Access to higher education has improved significantly over the past three decades.

4. Present Perfect Continuous

Form: have/has + been + verb-ing

Use: Ongoing actions that started in the past and continue now; emphasis on duration.

Scientists have been warning about the risks of climate change for over four decades.
The number of electric vehicles on the road has been growing steadily since 2010.
Governments have been struggling to balance economic development with environmental protection.
The population of coastal cities has been declining as flooding becomes more frequent.
Researchers have been investigating the relationship between social media and mental health.

5. Simple Past

Form: past form of verb (regular: +ed; irregular: varied)

Use: Completed events at a specific point in the past; historical data in Task 1.

Carbon emissions peaked in 2008 before declining slightly in subsequent years.
The introduction of the internet fundamentally transformed global communication patterns.
The proportion of women in higher education rose from 35% to 52% between 1990 and 2020.
The government introduced stricter regulations in response to growing public concern.
The number of species classified as endangered doubled between 1990 and 2010.

6. Past Continuous

Form: was/were + verb-ing

Use: Ongoing action at a specific past moment; background action interrupted by another event; Speaking Part 2 narratives.

Scientists were already observing the effects of deforestation when the new data were published.
While governments were implementing austerity measures, inequality was rising sharply.
The policy was performing well until an unexpected economic crisis undermined its effectiveness.
At the time, manufacturers were still relying heavily on fossil fuels for industrial processes.
During the 1990s, urban planners were beginning to recognize the limitations of car-centred design.

7. Past Perfect

Form: had + past participle

Use: An action completed before another past action; in conditional structures (third conditional).

By the time the report was published, most of the recommended changes had already been implemented.
Scientists had predicted the decline years before policymakers finally took action.
The habitat had been almost entirely destroyed before conservation efforts began.
If stronger regulations had been introduced earlier, the crisis could have been averted.
The technology had been widely adopted in developed nations before spreading to developing countries.

8. Past Perfect Continuous

Form: had been + verb-ing

Use: An action that was ongoing up to a specific point in the past; emphasis on duration before a past event.

Researchers had been collecting data for a decade before the final report was released.
The community had been experiencing water shortages for years before the government intervened.
Policymakers had been debating the proposal for months when it was finally rejected.
The company had been struggling financially for two years before it declared bankruptcy.
Scientists had been observing abnormal temperature patterns long before the media took notice.

9. Simple Future (will)

Form: will + base verb

Use: Predictions, decisions made at the time of writing, factual future statements.

If current trends continue, global temperatures will rise by 2°C by the end of this century.
Automation will likely displace millions of workers in manufacturing and logistics.
The expansion of urban populations will place increasing pressure on water and energy resources.
Greater investment in education will improve long-term economic productivity.
Without coordinated international action, biodiversity loss will accelerate significantly.

10. Future Continuous

Form: will be + verb-ing

Use: An action that will be in progress at a specific future moment.

By 2050, many coastal cities will be experiencing the effects of rising sea levels.
Future generations will be managing problems that their predecessors failed to address.
As AI advances, more companies will be using automated systems for routine decision-making.
If current trends continue, developing nations will be contributing the majority of global emissions by 2040.
Urban planners will be redesigning city infrastructure to accommodate electric mobility.

11. Future Perfect

Form: will have + past participle

Use: An action that will be completed before a specific point in the future.

By 2040, scientists will have developed viable alternatives to fossil fuels.
If progress continues, renewable energy will have replaced coal as the primary power source by 2035.
By the time the new policy takes effect, the problem will have already worsened considerably.
Researchers expect that they will have identified the genetic basis of the disease within a decade.
By the mid-21st century, the global population will have reached approximately 10 billion.

12. Conditional Forms (would / could / might)

Form: would/could/might + base verb (present/future hypothetical)

Use: Hypothetical situations, recommendations, polite suggestions, hedged predictions. Essential for Task 2 argument and Speaking Part 3.

If governments invested more in public transport, private car usage would decline significantly.
A universal basic income could reduce poverty without eliminating the incentive to work.
Greater emphasis on vocational training might help to address current skills shortages.
If stricter regulations had been enforced, the environmental damage would have been far less severe.
The introduction of congestion charges would potentially generate revenue for infrastructure improvement.

Band 7+ Complex Sentence Structures

These structures distinguish Band 7–9 essays from Band 5–6 essays. Each section includes 5 IELTS-level examples.

Cleft Sentences (It is X that...)

Cleft sentences emphasize a particular element by splitting a simple sentence into two. They are a hallmark of sophisticated academic writing.

STRUCTURE: It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who + [rest of sentence]

It is education, more than any other factor, that determines long-term social mobility.
It was the failure of international coordination that allowed the crisis to escalate.
It is the most vulnerable communities that bear the greatest burden of climate change.
It was not until the 1970s that the environmental movement gained significant political influence.
It is the combination of economic inequality and limited access to healthcare that produces the worst health outcomes.

Inversion Structures

Formal inversion (reversing the subject-verb order) adds academic emphasis and variety. Common in Band 8–9 writing.

Not only does technology create new jobs, but it also makes many existing positions obsolete.
Rarely has a single policy intervention achieved such broad social and economic benefits simultaneously.
Under no circumstances should governments prioritize economic growth over environmental sustainability.
Not until the evidence became overwhelming did policymakers acknowledge the severity of the problem.
Only by investing in renewable infrastructure can nations meet their long-term emission targets.

All 4 Conditionals with IELTS Examples

Zero Conditional — general truths

If + present simple, present simple

“If temperatures rise above a certain threshold, coral reefs begin to bleach and die.”

IELTS use: Task 2: describing established cause-and-effect relationships; Task 1 processes.

First Conditional — real future outcomes

If + present simple, will/can/may + base verb

“If governments increase investment in public transport, carbon emissions from private vehicles will decline.”

IELTS use: Task 2: policy recommendations, predictions; Speaking Part 3.

Second Conditional — hypothetical present/future

If + past simple, would/could/might + base verb

“If every individual reduced their meat consumption by half, agricultural greenhouse gas emissions could fall by 20%.”

IELTS use: Task 2: hypothetical arguments and speculative analysis; Speaking Part 3.

Third Conditional — hypothetical past

If + past perfect, would/could/might + have + past participle

“If stricter environmental regulations had been implemented in the 1980s, the current level of habitat loss would have been significantly reduced.”

IELTS use: Task 2: analysing historical decisions; evaluating past policy failures.

Participle Clauses

Participle clauses condense information and show Band 8+ grammatical sophistication.

Produced mainly by agricultural activities, methane is a particularly potent greenhouse gas. (Past participle clause)
Facing increasing pressure from civil society, governments have begun to revise their environmental commitments. (Present participle clause)
The policy, having been debated for several years, was finally approved by the legislature. (Perfect participle clause)
Driven by rapid urbanization, the demand for affordable housing has outpaced supply in most major cities. (Past participle clause)
Recognizing the long-term economic benefits, a growing number of corporations have voluntarily adopted zero-emission targets. (Present participle clause)

Passive Voice for Academic Distance

Using passive constructions shifts focus from agent to action or result — the hallmark of objective academic writing.

It has been argued that current international climate frameworks are inadequate to address the scale of the challenge.
The data were collected from a representative sample of 1,500 respondents across five urban areas.
The policy is widely regarded as one of the most effective environmental interventions of the past decade.
A number of alternative explanations have been proposed, though none has yet gained widespread academic acceptance.
It is generally acknowledged that access to quality education is a prerequisite for sustainable economic development.

Academic Grammar: Hedging and Nominalization

Hedging Language for IELTS Writing

Academic writing avoids absolute claims. Hedging signals intellectual sophistication and protects your argument from easy refutation. It is expected in Band 7+ writing.

Type	Expressions	IELTS example
Epistemic phrases	It could be argued that, It is possible that, It seems likely that, Evidence suggests that	"It could be argued that the benefits of globalization have not been distributed equitably."
Modal hedges	may, might, could, would, should (speculative)	"Increased investment in public transport may reduce private vehicle ownership."
Reporting verbs	appears to, tends to, seems to, indicates, suggests, implies	"Urban migration tends to place disproportionate pressure on housing supply."
Impersonal constructions	It is widely believed that, It is generally accepted that, It has been suggested that	"It is generally accepted that early childhood education produces the most significant long-term benefits."
Approximators	approximately, roughly, around, about, nearly, broadly	"Approximately 40% of global food production is estimated to be wasted annually."
Limiting phrases	in many cases, to some extent, in certain contexts, for the most part	"In many cases, economic development comes at a significant environmental cost."

Nominalization: Verb to Noun Conversion

Nominalization — converting verbs or adjectives into nouns — is a defining feature of academic English register. It produces denser, more formal prose that IELTS scorers recognize as Band 7+ writing.

Informal (verb-based)	Formal (nominalized)
Governments need to develop this.	The development of this area is essential.
Pollution is increasing.	An increase in pollution has been observed.
Governments have decided to invest.	The decision to invest has been made.
We need to improve access to education.	The improvement of access to education is a priority.
Scientists have investigated the cause.	The investigation of the underlying cause is ongoing.
The policy was implemented poorly.	The poor implementation of the policy led to failure.
People are moving to cities rapidly.	The rapid movement of people to urban centers...
The temperature has risen.	A rise in temperature has been recorded.
We need to reduce emissions.	A reduction in emissions is urgently required.
Technology has advanced significantly.	Significant advances in technology have enabled...

Punctuation for IELTS Writing

IELTS does not have a dedicated punctuation criterion, but punctuation errors that impede readability or create grammatical confusion affect the Grammatical Range and Accuracy score. These are the key rules for IELTS Writing.

Commas in Academic Essays

After an introductory clause or phrase

Although technology has transformed communication, face-to-face interaction remains essential.

Around a non-essential clause

Urban planning, which has become increasingly data-driven, must address the needs of diverse communities.

In a list of three or more items

The causes include poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and poor governance.

Before a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses

Urbanization creates economic opportunities, but it also generates significant environmental pressures.

After transitional expressions

Furthermore, the evidence suggests that early intervention produces lasting benefits.

Semicolons in IELTS Essays

Use semicolons to join two closely related independent clauses, or to separate complex list items. Both sides of a semicolon must be independent clauses.

✓ Economic growth and environmental sustainability are not mutually exclusive; with careful policy design, both can be achieved.

✓ The evidence is compelling; however, the political will to act remains insufficient.

✓ Developing nations face unique challenges: inadequate infrastructure; limited access to capital; and a lack of technical expertise.

Colons in IELTS Essays

Use a colon to introduce a list, explanation, or elaboration. The preceding clause must be grammatically complete (independent).

✓ There are three main drivers of deforestation: agricultural expansion, timber harvesting, and urban development.

✓ The solution is straightforward: governments must introduce a binding international agreement.

✓ The data reveal a clear trend: urban populations are growing at a rate that current infrastructure cannot accommodate.

Common Grammar Errors by L1 Background

Different first languages produce different patterns of error in English. Understanding your own L1-related tendencies helps you focus your correction efforts.

Article Errors (a / an / the / Ø)

This is the most common error for speakers of languages without articles (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, and most Eastern European languages).

✗ Research is important for development of economy.

✓ Research is important for the development of the economy.

Use 'the' with specific noun phrases ('the development of the economy' refers to a specific system).

✗ The society should invest more in education.

✓ Society should invest more in education.

Abstract nouns used in a general sense (society, nature, language) do not take 'the.'

✗ The government should take action to solve problem.

✓ The government should take action to solve the problem.

A specific, identified problem takes 'the.'

✗ She has degree from a prestigious university.

✓ She has a degree from a prestigious university.

Countable singular nouns in first-mention contexts require 'a/an.'

Preposition Errors

Common among speakers of most L1 backgrounds — prepositions in English are largely idiomatic and cannot be predicted from translation.

Wrong	Correct
interested on the topic	interested in the topic
depend of the circumstances	depend on the circumstances
consist from three parts	consist of three parts
contribute on the solution	contribute to the solution
responsible of the outcome	responsible for the outcome
result from improvements	result in improvements (effect) / result from causes (cause)
provide us something	provide us with something / provide something for us
different of the previous model	different from the previous model

Singular/Plural Errors

Common among speakers of Chinese, Thai, and other languages where nouns do not change form for number.

✗ There are many reason to support this view.

✓ There are many reasons to support this view.

✗ The government should provide more resource.

✓ The government should provide more resources.

✗ Researcher have found that...

✓ Researchers have found that...

Tense Errors

Common among speakers of Chinese and Arabic (where tense is indicated by adverbs, not verb form).

✗ Last year, the company invest heavily in R&D.

✓ Last year, the company invested heavily in R&D. (past tense required with 'last year')

✗ Since 2010, the number of users grow rapidly.

✓ Since 2010, the number of users has grown rapidly. (present perfect required with 'since')

✗ If they will invest more, the economy improve.

✓ If they invest more, the economy will improve. (first conditional: present → will + base verb)

Task 1 Grammar: Describing Charts and Graphs

Comparative Grammar for Data Description

Function	Structure	IELTS example
Comparing two values	X was higher/lower than Y	The figure for 2020 was considerably higher than that recorded in 2015.
Expressing ratio	X was twice/three times as high as Y	Sales in Asia were nearly three times as high as those in Europe.
Describing increase	rose by / increased by / grew by + amount or percentage	The proportion increased by 15 percentage points between 2010 and 2020.
Describing decrease	fell by / declined by / dropped by + amount	Unemployment fell by nearly 3% over the same period.
Describing level reached	rose to / fell to / peaked at / bottomed out at	Temperatures peaked at 38°C in July before declining sharply.
Describing starting point	rose from / fell from + value	The figure rose from 25% in 2005 to 42% in 2020.
Superlative comparisons	The highest/lowest figure was... / X accounted for the largest share	Manufacturing accounted for the largest share of emissions throughout the period.

Trend Vocabulary + Grammar Structures

Upward trends

rose, increased, grew, climbed, surged, soared, jumped
a rise, an increase, growth, an upward trend, a surge
sharply, steeply, dramatically, rapidly, significantly, gradually, steadily

Downward trends

fell, decreased, declined, dropped, plummeted, dipped
a fall, a decrease, a decline, a drop, a downward trend
sharply, steeply, significantly, slightly, gradually, steadily

Key Task 1 Grammar Rules

Use past simple for historical data: 'The figure rose from 10% in 2000 to 35% in 2010.'

Use present perfect for changes up to the present: 'The proportion has increased steadily since 2005.'

Use 'that' for abstract reference: 'The figure for 2020 was higher than that of 2015.' (NOT 'that one of 2015.')

Use passive for processes: 'The raw material is processed, filtered, and then sealed.'

Use 'while' or 'whereas' to contrast simultaneous trends: 'While car usage declined, public transport ridership increased significantly.'

Task 2 Essay Grammar

Thesis Statement Structures

This essay will argue that, while [concession], [main position].

Although [opposing view] has merit, [supporting claim] is ultimately the more compelling position.

It is my contention that [position], primarily because [reason 1] and [reason 2].

While it is true that [acknowledgment], the evidence suggests that [main argument] more strongly.

This essay takes the position that [stance], based on both [criterion 1] and [criterion 2] considerations.

Argument Development Grammar

Introducing a main point

One of the most significant reasons for this is that...

Providing evidence

Research consistently indicates that... / Studies have shown that...

Elaborating

This is particularly evident in...; To illustrate this point,...

Conceding a counter-argument

Admittedly, critics may argue that... However, this overlooks...

Concession Structures (While X, Y...)

While technological solutions may offer partial answers, they cannot substitute for fundamental behavioral change.

Although economic growth often reduces immediate poverty, it does not automatically lead to a more equitable distribution of wealth.

Despite the apparent benefits of urbanization, the associated environmental costs should not be underestimated.

Even if universal basic income were introduced, significant structural reforms would still be required to address systemic inequality.

Whereas early childhood education produces clear long-term benefits, funding constraints often limit its accessibility to disadvantaged communities.

Conclusion Grammar

In conclusion, it is evident that [main point], and the evidence presented supports the view that [position].

To summarize, the arguments outlined above demonstrate that [restate thesis], particularly with regard to [key aspect].

Overall, while [acknowledgment of complexity], the balance of evidence suggests that [final position].

In the final analysis, addressing this issue effectively will require [action/approach], alongside sustained commitment from both [stakeholder 1] and [stakeholder 2].

40 Error-Correction Exercises

Each sentence contains one or more errors. Read the corrected version and the explanation. These reflect the most common IELTS Writing grammar errors.

The number of people which use public transport has increased.

✓ The number of people who use public transport has increased.

Rule: Use 'who' for people, not 'which.'

If governments will invest more in education, the results would be significant.

✓ If governments invest more in education, the results will be significant.

Rule: First conditional: 'If + present simple, will + base verb.' Do not use 'will' in the 'if' clause.

The data shows that emissions has risen by 20% since 2000.

✓ The data show that emissions have risen by 20% since 2000.

Rule: 'Data' is plural → 'show.' 'Emissions' is plural → 'have risen.'

There are many informations available on this topic.

✓ There is a great deal of information available on this topic.

Rule: 'Information' is uncountable — it does not take a plural form or 'many.'

The government should to invest in renewable energy.

✓ The government should invest in renewable energy.

Rule: Modal verbs (should, can, must, will, would) are followed by the base verb (infinitive without 'to').

Despite of the evidence, many people remain skeptical.

✓ Despite the evidence, many people remain skeptical.

Rule: 'Despite' is a preposition — it is never followed by 'of.' Write 'despite + noun phrase.'

The society needs to address the growing inequality gap.

✓ Society needs to address the growing inequality gap.

Rule: Abstract nouns used in a general sense (society, nature, language) do not take 'the.'

Not only technology creates jobs, but it also destroys them.

✓ Not only does technology create jobs, but it also destroys them.

Rule: Inversion is required after 'not only' at the start of a clause: 'Not only does...'.

The two main causes is lack of funding and poor infrastructure.

✓ The two main causes are lack of funding and poor infrastructure.

Rule: Compound subject 'the two main causes' is plural → plural verb 'are.'

After to study the data, the researcher published her findings.

✓ After studying the data, the researcher published her findings.

Rule: After a preposition, use the gerund (-ing form), not the infinitive.

The proportion of women in higher education rose from 35% to it reaches 52%.

✓ The proportion of women in higher education rose from 35% to 52%.

Rule: Use 'rose from X to Y' as a fixed structure — no additional verb needed.

I am agree that governments should increase investment in health.

✓ I agree that governments should increase investment in health.

Rule: 'Agree' is a stative verb — it is never used in the continuous form ('am agreeing') and never preceded by 'am/is/are' as a linking verb.

This essay will discuss about the advantages and disadvantages of globalization.

✓ This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of globalization.

Rule: 'Discuss' is a transitive verb — it does not need a preposition. Write 'discuss X,' not 'discuss about X.'

Although urbanization has benefits, but it also creates significant challenges.

✓ Although urbanization has benefits, it also creates significant challenges.

Rule: 'Although' and 'but' cannot both appear in the same sentence — they perform the same contrast function.

The chart shows information about the amount of students who graduated each year.

✓ The chart shows information about the number of students who graduated each year.

Rule: Use 'number' for countable nouns (students, people, cars) and 'amount' for uncountable nouns (water, money, information).

Peoples who live in urban areas tend to earn more than those in rural areas.

✓ People who live in urban areas tend to earn more than those in rural areas.

Rule: 'People' is already plural — 'peoples' refers to distinct ethnic or national groups, which is a different meaning.

The study found a strong correlation between income and health, which shows that economic inequality affects health outcomes.

✓ The study found a strong correlation between income and health, suggesting that economic inequality affects health outcomes.

Rule: 'Which shows' creates a grammatical ambiguity about what 'which' refers to. Use a participial phrase ('suggesting') to refer back to the entire preceding clause.

Comparing with the previous year, sales increased significantly in 2023.

✓ Compared with the previous year, sales increased significantly in 2023.

Rule: 'Compared with/to' is a fixed participial phrase. 'Comparing with' implies that the subject (sales) is making the comparison, which is illogical.

The government has spend a lot of money on this project since 2018.

✓ The government has spent a lot of money on this project since 2018.

Rule: The present perfect requires the past participle: 'has spent,' not 'has spend.'

Both government and private sector play a important role in economic development.

✓ Both the government and the private sector play an important role in economic development.

Rule: Two errors: (1) 'an' before 'important' (vowel sound). (2) Specific institutions like 'the government' and 'the private sector' require the definite article.

The issue of poverty is very serious and needs to be addressed urgent.

✓ The issue of poverty is very serious and needs to be addressed urgently.

Rule: Adverbs, not adjectives, modify verbs and past participles. 'Urgently' modifies 'be addressed.'

Due to the rapid growth of internet, communication has become faster.

✓ Due to the rapid growth of the internet, communication has become faster.

Rule: 'The internet' takes the definite article — it refers to a specific, unique network.

The graph illustrates how the production of oil has rose between 2000 and 2020.

✓ The graph illustrates how the production of oil has risen between 2000 and 2020.

Rule: The past participle of 'rise' is 'risen,' not 'rose' (which is the simple past).

It is important that every student have access to quality education.

✓ It is important that every student has access to quality education.

Rule: In modern standard English outside North American formal usage, 'every student has' is correct. The subjunctive 'have' is used in formal American English ('It is essential that he be...') but for IELTS purposes, indicative agreement is expected.

The advantages of technology overcome its disadvantages.

✓ The advantages of technology outweigh its disadvantages.

Rule: 'Outweigh' is the correct idiomatic verb for comparing relative merits. 'Overcome' means to conquer or defeat, which has the wrong meaning here.

In the current age, a lot of people are depending on smartphones for daily tasks.

✓ In the current age, a great many people depend on smartphones for daily tasks.

Rule: 'Depend' is a stative verb — it is not used in continuous tenses. Also, 'a lot of' is informal; use 'a great many' or 'a significant number of' in academic writing.

While many countries have made progress, but others continue to struggle.

✓ While many countries have made progress, others continue to struggle.

Rule: Do not use 'but' after 'while' in a contrast structure — 'while' alone introduces the contrast.

The problem of pollution is needed to be addressed immediately.

✓ The problem of pollution needs to be addressed immediately.

Rule: 'Need' here is an active verb: 'The problem needs to be addressed.' The passive 'is needed to be' is not a valid construction in English.

As a conclusion, governments should take more responsibility.

✓ In conclusion, governments should take more responsibility.

Rule: 'In conclusion' is the correct fixed phrase for essay conclusions. 'As a conclusion' is a non-standard construction.

More and more people is choosing to live in cities than before.

✓ More and more people are choosing to live in cities than before.

Rule: 'More and more people' is a plural subject → plural verb 'are.'

The chart shows a strong increasing in the use of renewable energy.

✓ The chart shows a strong increase in the use of renewable energy.

Rule: After 'a' and other articles, use the noun form: 'an increase,' not 'an increasing' (which is an adjective or participle, not a noun).

Many experts believe that the key to success lay in early education.

✓ Many experts believe that the key to success lies in early education.

Rule: Present tense context ('believe') requires present tense in the subordinate clause: 'lies,' not 'lay' (which is simple past).

The percentage of elderly peoples have risen sharply over the past decade.

✓ The percentage of elderly people has risen sharply over the past decade.

Rule: Two errors: (1) 'peoples' should be 'people.' (2) 'The percentage' is singular → 'has risen.'

Not only it has economic benefits, but technology also offers social advantages.

✓ Not only does it have economic benefits, but technology also offers social advantages.

Rule: When 'not only' begins a clause, inversion is required: 'Not only does it have...' — auxiliary 'does' must precede the subject.

Education plays an important role to develop critical thinking.

✓ Education plays an important role in developing critical thinking.

Rule: The fixed phrase is 'play a role in + gerund,' not 'play a role to + infinitive.'

The both advantages and disadvantages of this policy should be considered.

✓ Both the advantages and the disadvantages of this policy should be considered.

Rule: 'Both' precedes the noun phrase, not 'the': 'Both the advantages and the disadvantages,' or 'The advantages and disadvantages.'

Since the economy grew rapidly, poverty levels declined.

✓ As the economy grew rapidly, poverty levels declined.

Rule: When describing a simultaneous or directly related past event, use 'as' (simultaneous) rather than 'since' (which implies ongoing time up to the present with present perfect, or reason).

To sum up, it is clear that we need to take action about this issue immediately.

✓ To sum up, it is clear that immediate action on this issue is urgently required.

Rule: Two improvements: (1) avoid 'we' in formal academic writing — use impersonal constructions. (2) 'take action about' is not idiomatic — 'take action on' or restructure.

The graph illustrate that figures peaked at 80% in 2015 and fallen after that.

✓ The graph illustrates that figures peaked at 80% in 2015 and fell after that.

Rule: Two errors: (1) Third-person singular present requires 's': 'illustrates.' (2) 'fallen' is a past participle — simple past 'fell' is needed here.

It is increasingly difficult for the government to provide enough services to satisfy all citizen's needs.

✓ It is increasingly difficult for the government to provide enough services to satisfy all citizens' needs.

Rule: Plural possessive: 'citizens'' (apostrophe after the -s) — the needs belong to multiple citizens.

Quick Grammar Reference Sheet

Structure	Form	IELTS use
Zero conditional	If + present, present	General truths, Task 1 processes
First conditional	If + present, will	Recommendations, predictions
Second conditional	If + past, would	Hypothetical arguments, Speaking Part 3
Third conditional	If + past perfect, would have	Historical analysis, past policy
Cleft sentence	It is X that...	Emphasizing key factors in Task 2
Inversion	Not only does X...	Formal emphasis in Band 7+ writing
Participle clause	Faced with X, / Driven by X,	Concise, formal cause/context
Passive (present)	is/are + past participle	Task 1 processes, impersonal statements
Present perfect	have/has + past participle	Changes up to present, Task 1 charts
Hedging modal	may/might/could + base	Qualified claims in Task 2
Nominalization	the development of / an increase in	Academic register in Task 2
Concession clause	Although/While/Despite	Balanced argument structure

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