📘 Ultimate Grammar Guide for IELTS Writing: Word Forms, Articles, Prepositions, and Subject-Verb Agreement

1️⃣ Word Forms (Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs)

📌 What Are Word Forms?

Many words have different forms depending on their grammatical function in a sentence. For example:

• Noun: success
• Verb: succeed
• Adjective: successful
• Adverb: successfully

Using the wrong word form is a common IELTS mistake.

🚨 Common Word Form Mistakes & How to Fix Them

🔹 Tips to Improve Word Form Usage

✔️ Identify whether the missing word should be a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.
✔️ Memorize common word families (success, succeed, successful, successfully).
✔️ Read sample IELTS essays and notice how words change forms.

2️⃣ Articles (“a,” “an,” “the”)

📌 Why Are Articles Important?

Articles help determine specificity in a sentence. Misusing them can reduce clarity in IELTS essays.

🚨 Common Article Mistakes & How to Fix Them

🔹 When to Use “A,” “An,” and “The”

🔹 Tips to Improve Article Usage

✔️ Always use “a/an” with singular countable nouns (a teacher, an apple).
✔️ Use “the” for specific things, unique objects, and superlatives (the sun, the best student).
✔️ Do not use articles with general ideas (Happiness is important, not The happiness is important).

3️⃣ Prepositions (“in,” “on,” “at,” “by,” etc.)

📌 Why Are Prepositions Important?

Prepositions connect words and show relationships between nouns and other words in a sentence.

🚨 Common Preposition Mistakes & How to Fix Them

🔹 Prepositions of Place

🔹 Prepositions of Time

🔹 Tips to Improve Preposition Usage

✔️ Learn preposition rules with common verbs (interested in, good at, married to).
✔️ Read IELTS essays and highlight prepositions in sentences.
✔️ Use preposition collocations correctly (dependent on, arrive at, different from).

4️⃣ Subject-Verb Agreement

📌 Why Is Subject-Verb Agreement Important?

In English, the verb must match the subject in number (singular/plural).

🚨 Common Subject-Verb Agreement Mistakes & How to Fix Them

🔹 Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

🔹 Tips to Improve Subject-Verb Agreement

✔️ Identify whether the subject is singular or plural before choosing the verb.
✔️ Watch out for “everybody,” “anyone,” “nobody” (which are always singular).
✔️ Be careful with “The number of” (singular) vs. “A number of” (plural).
✔️ If “and” joins two subjects, use a plural verb (Tom and Jerry are best friends).

🎯 Final Summary: How to Improve Your Grammar for IELTS

1️⃣ Master word forms (Noun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb).
2️⃣ Use articles correctly (“a/an” for singular countable nouns, “the” for specifics).
3️⃣ Use the right prepositions (in, on, at, for, to).
4️⃣ Follow subject-verb agreement rules (Singular subjects take singular verbs).

📘 Ultimate Guide to Using Articles (“A,” “An,” “The”) in English

Articles are small but important words in English grammar. They help determine whether we are talking about something specific or general. Misusing articles can lower your IELTS Writing score, so it’s crucial to understand their correct usage.

1️⃣ Types of Articles

There are two types of articles in English:

1. Indefinite Articles (“A” and “An”) → Used for non-specific things.
2. Definite Article (“The”) → Used for specific things.

2️⃣ Indefinite Articles (“A” and “An”)

📌 When to Use “A” and “An”

We use “a” or “an” when referring to a singular, countable noun that is not specific.

🚨 Important:

• The sound (not just the letter) determines whether we use “a” or “an.”
• Example: “An hour” (silent “h” → vowel sound) but “A university” (pronounced “yoo” → consonant sound).

🚨 Common Mistakes with “A” and “An”

🔹 When NOT to Use “A” or “An”

❌ Do not use “a” or “an” with:
✔️ Plural nouns → I saw a dogs. ❌ → I saw dogs. ✅
✔️ Uncountable nouns → She gave me a information. ❌ → She gave me information. ✅

3️⃣ Definite Article (“The”)

📌 When to Use “The”

We use “the” when talking about something specific or already known to the listener.

🔹 “The” for Specific Things

• I bought a book yesterday. The book is very interesting.
  → “A book” (first mention, unknown) → “The book” (now specific).

4️⃣ When NOT to Use “The”

🚫 Do NOT use “the” before general, uncountable, or plural nouns when talking about things in general.

5️⃣ Special Rules for Articles

📌 Using “The” with Proper Nouns

📌 Do NOT Use “The” with…

6️⃣ Summary: How to Use Articles Correctly

7️⃣ Common IELTS Writing Mistakes with Articles

8️⃣ Tips to Improve Your Article Usage

✔️ Identify if the noun is countable or uncountable before using “a/an.”
✔️ Think if the noun is general or specific before using “the.”
✔️ Memorize article rules for common nouns (countries, places, superlatives).
✔️ Practice with real IELTS essay samples to see how articles are used correctly.

📘 Complete Guide to Prepositions in English

Prepositions are small but powerful words that show relationships between nouns, pronouns, and other words in a sentence. They indicate time, place, direction, cause, manner, and possession. Misusing prepositions is a common mistake in IELTS Writing, so mastering them will significantly improve your grammar and score.

1️⃣ What Are Prepositions?

Prepositions connect words and phrases to show relationships between them. They usually appear before a noun or pronoun to indicate:
✔️ Time (on Monday, in 2024)
✔️ Place (at the bus stop, in New York)
✔️ Direction (go to the park, walk towards the door)
✔️ Manner (with care, by car)
✔️ Cause/Reason (due to the rain, because of his mistake)

2️⃣ Types of Prepositions

📌 A. Prepositions of Time (When?)

These prepositions indicate when something happens.

🚨 Common Mistakes:
❌ We met in Monday. → ✅ We met on Monday.
❌ I was born at 2000. → ✅ I was born in 2000.

📌 B. Prepositions of Place (Where?)

These prepositions indicate the location of something.

🚨 Common Mistakes:
❌ She is on the room. → ✅ She is in the room.
❌ He is in the bus stop. → ✅ He is at the bus stop.

📌 C. Prepositions of Direction (Where to?)

These prepositions indicate movement from one place to another.

🚨 Common Mistakes:
❌ Go in the park. → ✅ Go to the park.
❌ She jumped in the table. → ✅ She jumped onto the table.

📌 D. Prepositions of Manner (How?)

These prepositions indicate the way something happens.

🚨 Common Mistakes:
❌ He goes by foot. → ✅ He goes on foot.
❌ She writes by a pen. → ✅ She writes with a pen.

📌 E. Prepositions of Cause/Reason (Why?)

These prepositions indicate the reason or cause behind an action.

🚨 Common Mistakes:
❌ He was late because the traffic. → ✅ He was late because of the traffic.
❌ The game was cancelled due the rain. → ✅ The game was cancelled due to the rain.

3️⃣ When NOT to Use Prepositions

🚫 Avoid unnecessary prepositions!

4️⃣ Prepositional Phrases in IELTS Writing

Using advanced prepositional phrases makes your writing more fluent and academic.

Example Sentence for IELTS Writing Task 2:
✅ In terms of employment, many people choose foreign jobs because of better salaries.

5️⃣ Common IELTS Preposition Mistakes and Fixes

6️⃣ Tips to Master Prepositions for IELTS

✔ Memorize common preposition rules (good at, interested in, depend on).
✔ Practice prepositions in sentences, not just word lists.
✔ Avoid unnecessary prepositions (“Discuss about” → “Discuss” is correct).
✔ Use advanced prepositional phrases in IELTS Writing to sound formal.
✔ Read IELTS model essays and highlight prepositions in use.

📘 Complete Guide to Phrasal Verbs: List & Common Uses

Phrasal verbs are verbs combined with prepositions or adverbs that create a meaning different from the original verb. They are commonly used in spoken and written English, including IELTS Writing and Speaking.

📌 Example:

• Take off → (literal) The plane took off at 7 AM.
• Take off → (idiomatic) His business took off and became successful!

Mastering phrasal verbs will make your writing and speaking more natural and improve your IELTS score!

1️⃣ Structure of Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb consists of:
✔️ Verb + Preposition (give up, look after, turn down)
✔️ Verb + Adverb (take off, put on, bring up)
✔️ Verb + Preposition + Adverb (put up with, get along with)

🚨 Types of Phrasal Verbs:
🔹 Transitive (needs an object) → She turned down the offer.
🔹 Intransitive (no object) → The plane took off.
🔹 Separable (object can go between verb & particle) → She turned the offer down.
🔹 Inseparable (object must stay after the phrasal verb) → I ran into my old friend yesterday.

2️⃣ Most Common Phrasal Verbs for IELTS

📌 A. Phrasal Verbs for Daily Life

📌 B. Phrasal Verbs for Work & Business (Useful for IELTS Writing Task 2)

📌 C. Phrasal Verbs for Education & Learning

📌 D. Phrasal Verbs for Travel & Transportation

📌 E. Phrasal Verbs for Relationships & Social Situations

📌 F. Phrasal Verbs for Health & Fitness

3️⃣ Tips for Using Phrasal Verbs in IELTS

✅ Use them naturally in speaking → IELTS examiners love natural, idiomatic expressions.
✅ Use appropriate phrasal verbs in writing → Avoid informal ones in academic writing (e.g., use “postpone” instead of “put off”).
✅ Learn common phrasal verbs with examples → Memorizing them in context helps retain them.
✅ Practice writing sentences with phrasal verbs → The more you use them, the easier they become!

📘 Complete Guide to Complex Sentences: How to Make Them & Examples

A complex sentence is essential for IELTS Writing and Speaking, especially for band 7+. Using complex sentences correctly shows your ability to connect ideas and improves coherence and cohesion in writing.

1️⃣ What Is a Complex Sentence?

A complex sentence consists of:
✔️ One independent clause (a complete sentence)
✔️ One or more dependent (subordinate) clauses (cannot stand alone)

📌 Example:
✅ Although it was raining, we went to the park.

• Independent clause → We went to the park. (Complete idea)
• Dependent clause → Although it was raining (Needs more information)

🔹 Why use complex sentences?
✔ Shows logical connections between ideas
✔ Demonstrates a range of grammar structures
✔ Improves fluency and coherence in writing

2️⃣ How to Make a Complex Sentence

A complex sentence is formed using:

1. Subordinating conjunctions (e.g., because, although, while, if)
2. Relative pronouns (e.g., who, which, that)

📌 Structure Patterns:
1️⃣ [Subordinate clause] + [Main clause]

• Because it was late, we went home.
  2️⃣ [Main clause] + [Subordinate clause]
• We went home because it was late.

🚨 Comma Rule:

• ✅ If the subordinate clause comes first, use a comma.
  • Although she was tired, she finished the assignment.
• ❌ If the main clause comes first, no comma is needed.
  • She finished the assignment although she was tired.

3️⃣ Types of Complex Sentences

📌 A. Cause & Effect (Reason)

Use because, since, as, due to the fact that

✅ She stayed home because she was sick.
✅ Since he had no money, he couldn’t buy a ticket.

📌 B. Contrast (Opposite Ideas)

Use although, though, even though, whereas, while

✅ Although he studied hard, he failed the exam.
✅ I like tea, whereas my sister prefers coffee.

📌 C. Condition (If Statements)

Use if, unless, as long as, provided that

✅ If you practice daily, you will improve.
✅ Unless we leave now, we will miss the train.

📌 D. Time (When Something Happens)

Use when, while, as soon as, before, after, until

✅ When the movie started, everyone became silent.
✅ I will call you as soon as I arrive.

📌 E. Purpose (Why Something Happens)

Use so that, in order to, for the purpose of

✅ She left early so that she could catch the train.
✅ He studied hard in order to pass the test.

📌 F. Relative Clauses (Extra Information)

Use who, which, that, whose, where, when

✅ The book that I borrowed was interesting.
✅ The man who lives next door is a doctor.

4️⃣ Complex Sentence Examples (With Breakdown)

🔹 Simple sentence: She was late.
🔹 Complex sentence: Because of the traffic, she was late.

• Subordinate clause: Because of the traffic
• Main clause: she was late

📌 More Examples with Breakdown:

✅ Even though it was cold, we went outside.

• Subordinate clause: Even though it was cold
• Main clause: we went outside

✅ I will call you when I get home.

• Main clause: I will call you
• Subordinate clause: when I get home

✅ Students who study regularly perform better in exams.

• Main clause: Students perform better in exams
• Subordinate clause: who study regularly (Relative clause)

✅ He moved to London because he got a new job.

• Main clause: He moved to London
• Subordinate clause: because he got a new job

✅ While she was cooking, the phone rang.

• Subordinate clause: While she was cooking
• Main clause: the phone rang

5️⃣ How to Improve IELTS Writing with Complex Sentences

🔹 Use a variety of sentence structures (don’t repeat the same type).
🔹 Make sure your sentences are clear (avoid overly long and confusing sentences).
🔹 Use commas correctly when needed.
🔹 Combine simple sentences to create more complex structures.

📌 Example (Simple Sentences → Complex Sentence):
❌ She was tired. She finished her work.
✅ Although she was tired, she finished her work.