Grammar is an essential part of every language. So, the IELTS exam assesses an individual on various aspects of their skills in the English language. One of the most mandatory skills a candidate must demonstrate to obtain a higher band score is using advanced grammar for IELTS writing and speaking tasks. Therefore, it is essential to remember that applying practical grammar for IELTS writing and speaking tasks can significantly improve your overall performance.
This article mentions several useful advanced grammar structures for IELTS Writing and IELTS Speaking to get band 7.0+.
1. So + adjective + to be + Subject + that Clause
So + adv + auxiliary verb + S + main verb + O + that Clause
Example:
- So terrible was the storm that a lot of houses were swept away.
- So beautifully did he play the guitar that all the audience appreciated him.
2. Then comes/come + Subject, as + Clause
Example:
- Then came a divorce, as they had a routine.
3. May + Subject + Verb
Example:
- May I apologize for misspelling your surname in the letter from my assistant, Miss Dowdy?
- May you all have happiness and luck.
4. It is no + Comparative Adjective + than + V-ing
Example:
- It is no more complicated than saying, “I love you”.
5. Subject + Verb + far more +….than + N
Example:
- The material world greatly influences far more young people than old people.
6. Subject + love/like/wish + nothing more than to be + adj/past participle
Example:
- We wish nothing more than to be equally respected.
7. Subject 1 + is/are just like + Subject 2 +was/were
8. Subject 1 + is/are + the same + as + Subject 2 + was/were
Example:
- My daughter is like her mother was 35 years ago when she was my classmate at Harvard University.
- She is the same as she was.
9. It is (not always) thought + adj + Noun phrase
Example:
- It is not always thought essential that Miss world must have a great appearance.
10. As + Verb Participle /can be seen, Subject + Verb
Example:
- As spoken above, we are short of capital.
- As can be seen, a new school will be built on this site.
11. S + point(s)/ pointed out (to be) + that Clause
Example:
- She pointed out that he was wrong.
12. It is/was evident to someone + that Clause
Example:
- It was evident that someone had given him a hand to finish it.
13. What + Subject + Verb + is/was + (that) + Subject + Verb +….
Example:
- What was said was (that) she had to leave.
- What I want you to do is that you take more care of yourself.
14. Noun + Is + what + sth + is all about
Example:
- Entertainment is what football is all about.
15. Subject + to be (just) + what Subject + Verb
Example:
- It was just what I wanted.
- You are what God brings into my life.
16. Verb-ing +sth + to be + Adjective – if not impossible
Example:
- Travelling alone into a jungle is adventurous – if not impossible.
17. There + to be + no + Noun + nor + Noun
Example:
- There is no food nor water
18. There isn’t/wasn’t time to Verb / to be + Adjective
Example:
- There wasn’t time to identify what it was.
19. Subject + may + put on a + Adjective + front but inside + Subject + Adjective
Example:
- You may put on a brave front, but you are fearful and anxious inside.
20. Subject + see oneself + V-ing
Example:
- You can see yourself riding a cable car in San Francisco.
21. Passive
- Certain measures should be introduced …
- People who participate in extreme sports are usually required to undergo appropriate training.
22. Impersonal structures
- It can be argued that …
- It is known that …
- It is clear that …
23. Modals
- Students have to take many exams.
- The government should improve …
24. Conditionals
- If exams are banned, students will not be under so much pressure.
- If the government introduced free parking, there would be more cars in the centre.
25. Complex sentences
- Hard work is essential, and it is beneficial for everyone.
- Hard work is essential because it enables anyone to achieve something.
- Hard work is essential and beneficial for everyone because it enables them to achieve something.
26. Not only….but also
- This would improve the working conditions and employees’ attitude to work.
27. Despite/In spite of
- In spite of working from home having certain drawbacks, it is becoming increasingly popular.
- Despite the initial fluctuation, the figures rose sharply in 1990.
28. As / While A verb, B verb (at the same time). [linking words]
- Change Over Time example: While the number of factories in Taiwan increased dramatically to 100,000 in 2006, the quantity in Japan plummeted to 1,000 at the same time.
- Static example: As the number of females in full-time work stood at 300 in 2014, the amount of working males stood at 500.
29. In comparison to A, which verb, B verb. [relative clauses]
- COT example: In comparison to the number of factories in Taiwan, which saw an increase to 100,000 in 2006, the quantity in Japan plummeted to 1,000 at this time.
- Static example: In comparison to the number of females in full-time work, which stood at 300 in 2014, the amount of working males stood at 500.
30. A verb, v-ing, (which verb). [adjective clause + relative clause]
- COT example: The number of factories in Taiwan saw an increase to 100,000 in 2006, exceeding the quantity in Japan, which had only 1,000.
- Static example: The number of males in full-time work reached 500 in 2014, exhibiting a higher number than all the other categories provided.
The next step for you, students, is to practice these structures. Find some IELTS example test questions, and practice using these sentence structures. Also, read the business or finance section in the newspaper for more high-level sentence structures and vocabulary to describe numbers.
To get more valuable structures to be well-prepared for the IELTS exam, you can Download English Grammar in Use published by Cambridge.