What is Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

In Writing Task 2, examiners judge your grammar in two main areas:

• Range
  How many different types of sentences and structures you use (simple, compound, complex, conditionals, relative clauses, passive voice, noun phrases, etc.)
• Accuracy
  How often you use those structures correctly (verb tenses, subject–verb agreement, articles, prepositions, word order, punctuation)

You need both to reach Band 7+: a good variety of structures and relatively few errors, especially in sentences that carry your main ideas.

Also read:

An Overview of IELTS Writing Task 2

How IELTS Writing Task 2 is Assessed

What is Task Response in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

What is Coherence and Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

What is Lexical Resource in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

What is Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 1 and how to reach Band 7+

Sentence types

Band 6: Mainly simple, some attempts at complex sentences.

Band 7: Good mix of simple, compound and complex sentences.

Error frequency

Band 6: Errors are noticeable and fairly frequent.

Band 7: Errors exist but are less frequent; many error-free sentences.

Effect of errors on meaning

Band 6: Meaning is usually clear, but some errors distract.

Band 7: Errors rarely cause confusion; message is consistently clear.

Control of complex structures

Band 6: Attempts, but with limited control.

Band 7: Uses complex structures with generally good control.

Tenses and agreement

Band 6: Some problems with tense and subject–verb agreement.

Band 7: Generally accurate tenses and agreement.

Article and preposition use

Band 6: Recurrent mistakes.

Band 7: Occasional mistakes, but not repeated in every sentence.

Also read:

How IELTS Writing Task 2 is Assessed

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Question: “Technology in education – more benefits or more drawbacks?”

Band 6: “Technology is very important in education today and many students use it every day for their study. They can search information on the internet and they can also watch videos which help them to understand the lessons more easy. However there is also some disadvantages, for example students sometimes become lazy and they do not want to read books any more, they only want to look at the screen. This is a problem because it can affect their eyes and also their social skills when they are always online.”

• Range: Mix of simple and some complex sentences (“which help them to understand…”), but most structures are basic.
• Accuracy:
  • “study” → “studies” (unclear, should be “for their studies”).
  • “search information” → “search for information”.
  • “more easy” → “more easily”.
  • “some disadvantages” → “some disadvantages” is okay, but article error before (“there is also some disadvantages” → “there are also some disadvantages”).
• Meaning is clear, but errors appear regularly.

Band 7: “Technology plays a crucial role in modern education, and many students rely on it daily to support their studies. They can search for information online, participate in virtual discussions and watch instructional videos, all of which help them understand difficult concepts more easily. However, there are also some drawbacks, as students may become dependent on digital devices and lose interest in reading printed materials. If this dependence continues, it could negatively affect their ability to concentrate and communicate face to face, which are essential skills for both academic and professional success.”

• Range:
  • Complex sentences with subordinate clauses (“all of which help…”, “If this dependence continues, it could…”).
  • Mix of simple and complex structures used naturally.

• Accuracy:
  • Grammar is mostly correct; errors, if any, are minor and do not affect meaning.
  • Good control of verb forms and agreement.

• Overall, the paragraph reads smoothly and clearly.

Also read:

How IELTS Writing Task 2 is Assessed

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

You do not need very long sentences everywhere. Instead, aim for a natural mix:

• Simple: “Technology has transformed education.”
• Compound: “Technology has transformed education, and many students now rely on digital tools every day.”
• Complex: “Although technology has transformed education, it has also created new challenges for teachers.”

At Band 7+, your essay should contain several complex sentences in each paragraph, but they must be clear and correct.

Also read:

How IELTS Writing Task 2 is Assessed

Common Sentence Structure Problems and How to Fix Them for IELTS Writing Task 2

These structures appear very often in Band 7+ essays:

• “Although / While / Even though” clauses
  “Although online learning offers flexibility, it may reduce face-to-face interaction.”
• “Because / Since / As” clauses (reason)
  “Many young people choose online courses because they are cheaper and more convenient.”
• “If” and conditional sentences
  “If governments invested more in public transport, traffic congestion would decrease.”
• Relative clauses (who, which, that, where)
  “Students who have access to digital resources can study more independently.”
• Passive voice
  “New regulations have been introduced to reduce plastic waste.”

You don’t need all of them in every essay, but you should be comfortable using several correctly.

Also read:

How IELTS Writing Task 2 is Assessed

Common Sentence Structure Problems and How to Fix Them for IELTS Writing Task 2

Most Task 2 essays use a limited set of tenses:

• Present simple: for general facts (“People often rely on cars for commuting.”)
• Present continuous (sometimes): for trends or changes (“More people are choosing to work from home.”)
• Present perfect: for changes over time (“In recent years, the cost of housing has increased dramatically.”)
• Future forms (will, be going to, may, might): for predictions or consequences.

Band 7+ writers use these tenses consistently and correctly, without frequent confusion.

Also read:

How IELTS Writing Task 2 is Assessed

Common Grammar Problems and How to Fix Them for IELTS Writing Task 2

Some errors are “dangerous” because they appear many times in one essay. Reducing them quickly makes your writing look more accurate.

Common problem areas:

• Subject–verb agreement
  “People think it is important.” (Not “people thinks”)
  “The number of cars has increased.” (Not “have”)
• Articles (a, an, the)
  “Many people believe that the internet is a useful tool.”
  “The government should invest more in the education system.”
• Countable/uncountable nouns
  “much traffic”, “much information”, “many problems”, “many solutions” (not “many traffic” or “many information”).
• Prepositions
  “responsible for”, “interested in”, “impact on”, “increase in”.
• Run-on sentences and comma splices
  Avoid: “Technology is very useful, it helps students a lot.”
  Better: “Technology is very useful because it helps students a lot.”
  Or: “Technology is very useful; it helps students a lot.”

Also read:

How IELTS Writing Task 2 is Assessed

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Common Grammar Problems and How to Fix Them for IELTS Writing Task 2

Good punctuation helps the reader follow your ideas:

• Use commas after introductory phrases: “In addition, …,” “For example, …”
• Use full stops to avoid extremely long sentences.
• Use commas in complex sentences correctly:
  “Although many people enjoy working from home, others still prefer a traditional office.”

Overlong sentences with poor punctuation can lower both range and accuracy.

Also read:

How IELTS Writing Task 2 is Assessed

Common Punctuation Problems and How to Fix Them for IELTS Writing Task 2

Before writing

• Do I plan to use a mix of simple, compound and complex sentences (not only one type)?
• Can I include a few key structures naturally (although/while, because/since, if‑sentences, relative clauses like “which/that/who”)?
• Am I confident about the basic tenses I’ll need (mostly present simple, present perfect, and future forms for predictions)?

While writing

• Does each paragraph contain several complex sentences that are still clear?
• Are any sentences too long or confusing and need to be split into two?
• Am I keeping subject–verb agreement correct (people think / a group of people thinks)?
• Am I using articles and plurals correctly (a problem, many problems, much information, less traffic)?

After writing

• Do I see a variety of sentence patterns, not the same pattern repeated?
• Are there repeated basic errors (articles, agreement, word forms) I can quickly fix?
• Did I avoid run‑on sentences and comma splices (two sentences joined only by a comma)?
• Is punctuation helping the reader (full stops in the right places, commas after “For example,” “However,” “In addition,”)?
• Can someone read each sentence once and understand it easily, without stopping to work out the grammar?

Also read:

How IELTS Writing Task 2 is Assessed

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Reaching Band 7+ in Grammatical Range and Accuracy is less about chasing “perfect” grammar and more about showing consistent control over a good variety of sentence types. When you can combine simple, compound and complex sentences accurately, avoid frequent basic errors, and use structures like conditionals and relative clauses with confidence, your writing immediately looks more mature and academic. By practising common Task 2 grammar patterns, targeting your most frequent mistakes, and editing your essays with a focused checklist, you can steadily move your grammar from a shaky Band 6 level towards the clear, controlled standard that examiners reward at Band 7 and above.

An Introduction to IELTS Academic Test

Everything You Need to Know about IELTS Academic Writing Test

An Overview of IELTS Writing Task 2

How IELTS Writing Task 2 is Assessed

What is Task Response in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+

Typical Task Response Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Generate Ideas for 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types with WH- Questions

How to Stay on Topic in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Develop Your Position in IELTS Writing Task 2

Writing Thesis Statements for IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

What is Coherence and Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+

Typical Coherence and Cohesion Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Upgrading Coherence in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Apply 5 Introduction Approaches to 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

Paraphrasing in IELTS Writing Task 2 for Introduction

Practical Topic Sentence Writing Skills for Better Coherence in IELTS Writing Task 2

Practical Body Paragraph Writing Skills for Better Coherence in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Apply 5 Conclusion Approaches to 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

Summarizing IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay in Conclusion

Upgrading Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Linking Words for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Reference Words for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Substitution for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Ellipsis for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Lexical Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

What is Lexical Resource in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+

Typical Lexical Resource Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Vocabulary Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

Collocation Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

Spelling Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

Paraphrasing Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Common Sentence Structure Problems and How to Fix Them for IELTS Writing Task 2

Common Grammar Problems and How to Fix Them for IELTS Writing Task 2

Common Punctuation Problems and How to Fix Them for IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to the 5 Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to 14 Common Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2

General Test Skills for IELTS Writing Task 2

Time Management Skills for IELTS Writing Task 2

Proofreading Skills for IELTS Writing Task 2

Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Overview of IELTS Writing Task 1

How IELTS Writing Task 1 is Assessed

What is Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 1 and how to reach Band 7+