Grammatical Range & Accuracy is 25% of your IELTS Writing score. Many students plateau at Band 6.0 because they only use simple sentences. This guide shows you how to construct Band 7-9 complex sentences that impress examiners without sounding unnatural.
Simple vs. Complex Sentences: What's the Difference?
A complex sentence isn't just a long sentence. It is a sentence that contains one independent clause (can stand alone) and one or more dependent clauses (cannot stand alone).
Comparison
Simple (Band 5-6): Pollution is increasing. The government should act.
Complex (Band 7+): Because pollution is increasing, the government should act.
The second sentence uses a subordinating conjunction ("because") to link two ideas, showing cause-effect relationship.
1. Conditional Sentences (If Clauses)
Conditionals are excellent for speculating, suggesting solutions, or discussing hypothetical scenarios.
First Conditional (Real Future)
If + present simple, ... will + verb
"If governments invest more in education, literacy rates will improve."
Second Conditional (Hypothetical Present)
If + past simple, ... would + verb
"If the government invested more in public transport, fewer people would drive cars."
Use this for unreal or unlikely situations in the present/future.
Third Conditional (Past Regret/Speculation)
If + past perfect, ... would have + past participle
"If they had implemented strict laws earlier, the damage would have been prevented."
Use this to talk about past situations that didn't happen.
2. Relative Clauses (Who, Which, That, Where)
Use relative clauses to add information without starting a new sentence. This makes your writing flow better.
- "Students who study abroad gain valuable cultural awareness."
- "This is a solution which has been effective in many countries."
- "The city where I grew up has changed dramatically."
Defining vs. Non-Defining
Defining (essential info, no commas):
"Students who work part-time often struggle with time management." (Only students who work part-time, not all students)
Non-defining (extra info, use commas):
"My brother, who lives in London, is a doctor." (Extra detail about my brother)
3. Passive Voice
Essential for Writing Task 1 (processes) and adds formality to Task 2. Use when the action is more important than the doer.
Active vs Passive
Active: The government built a new bridge.
Passive: A new bridge was built (by the government).
Formula:
Object + be (is/are/was/were) + Past Participle
Examples:
- The mixture is heated to 100 degrees.
- New policies were introduced last year.
- These issues can be addressed through education.
4. Participle Clauses
Advanced structure that reduces wordiness and adds sophistication.
Present Participle (-ing)
"Living in a city, I have access to many facilities."
(= Because I live in a city...)
Past Participle (-ed)
"Built in 1850, the bridge is a historical landmark."
(= The bridge, which was built in 1850...)
5. Inversion (Band 8+ Advanced)
Inversion adds emphasis and is a hallmark of Band 8+ writing. Use sparingly (1-2 times per essay).
- "Not only is this solution cost-effective, but it is also sustainable." (Instead of: This solution is not only...)
- "Rarely do we see such significant changes in a short period." (Instead of: We rarely see...)
- "Never have environmental issues been more urgent." (Instead of: Environmental issues have never been...)
Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid
- Subject-Verb Agreement: "The number of students have increased." ❌ → "has increased" ✅
- Article Errors: "Technology is a important tool." ❌ → "an important tool" ✅
- Run-on Sentences: Using commas to join independent clauses without conjunctions.
- Tense Consistency: Jumping between past and present randomly.
Frequently Asked Questions
There's no exact number, but aim for at least 50% of your sentences to be complex (containing dependent clauses). Mix them with simple sentences for variety.
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