IELTS WRITING SENTENCE FORMATION TIPS

Writing well-formed sentences is essential for a high band score in IELTS Writing. Your ability to express ideas clearly and accurately through correct sentence structure, grammar, and vocabulary influences your Grammatical Range and Accuracy and Coherence and Cohesion scores.

Here are some practical tips and strategies to improve your sentence formation in IELTS Writing:

1. Use a Variety of Sentence Types

Avoid writing only simple sentences. Show the examiner you can use different sentence structures by mixing:

– Simple sentences (one independent clause)

Example: The company’s profits increased last year.

– Compound sentences (two independent clauses joined by a conjunction like and, but, or)

Example: The company’s profits increased, but the costs also rose.

– Complex sentences (one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses)

Example: Although the costs rose, the company’s profits still increased.

IELTS WRITING SENTENCE FORMATION TIPS

– Compound-complex sentences (multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause)

Example: Although the costs rose, the company’s profits increased, and the shareholders were pleased.

Using varied sentence types demonstrates your grammatical flexibility and helps your writing flow naturally.

2. Master Sentence Connectors and Linking Words

Linking words connect your ideas and sentences smoothly, improving coherence. Learn common connectors for different purposes:

– Addition: and, moreover, furthermore, in addition

– Contrast: but, however, although, on the other hand

– Cause and effect: because, since, therefore, as a result

– Example: for example, such as, namely

– Time: before, after, when, meanwhile

Example: The sales increased by 20%; however, the profit margin decreased.

IELTS WRITING SENTENCE FORMATION TIPS

3. Keep Sentences Clear and Concise

Avoid overly long or complicated sentences that confuse the reader. Make sure each sentence expresses one clear idea. If you have multiple ideas, break them into separate sentences or use conjunctions properly.

Example:
Not clear: The company, which was founded in 1990 and has many branches, increased its profits last year, and because of good management, it is expected to grow further.
Clearer: The company was founded in 1990 and has many branches. It increased its profits last year. Due to good management, it is expected to grow further.

IELTS WRITING SENTENCE FORMATION TIPS

4. Use the Passive Voice When Appropriate

In IELTS Writing Task 1 (especially for graphs, charts, or processes), the passive voice is commonly used to focus on the action or result rather than the doer.

Example:

Active: The government built new roads.

Passive: New roads were built by the government.

Tip: Avoid overusing the passive voice; balance it with active sentences.

5. Use Conditionals to Express Possibilities and Hypotheses

Conditionals help express cause and effect or hypothetical situations, showing grammatical complexity.

– Zero conditional (general truths): If you heat water, it boils.

– First conditional (possible future): If sales increase, profits will rise.

– Second conditional (hypothetical present/future): If I were the manager, I would improve marketing.

– Third conditional (past hypothetical): If the company had invested more, it would have grown faster.

IELTS WRITING SENTENCE FORMATION TIPS

6. Pay Attention to Subject-Verb Agreement

Make sure the verb agrees with the subject in number (singular/plural).

Example:

Correct: The number of employees is increasing.

Incorrect: The number of employees are increasing.

7. Use Modifiers Effectively

Adjectives and adverbs add detail and precision to your sentences.

Example:

The sales increased significantly last year.

The company launched a new product.

8. Avoid Sentence Fragments and Run-ons

– Fragments: incomplete sentences missing a subject or verb.

– Run-ons: two or more independent clauses joined without correct punctuation or conjunctions.

IELTS WRITING SENTENCE FORMATION TIPS

Example:

Fragment: Because the profits increased. (Needs main clause)

Correct: Because the profits increased, the company expanded.

Run-on: The profits increased the company expanded quickly.

Correct: The profits increased, and the company expanded quickly.

9. Use Parallel Structure

When listing items or ideas, use the same grammatical form for each item for clarity and rhythm.

Example:

Incorrect: The company focuses on reducing costs, increasing sales, and customer satisfaction.

Correct: The company focuses on reducing costs, increasing sales, and improving customer satisfaction.

IELTS WRITING SENTENCE FORMATION TIPS

10. Proofread Your Writing

Always re-read your writing to check for sentence errors, awkward phrasing, and punctuation mistakes. Simple fixes can improve your clarity and score.

Summary

– Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences.

– Use a variety of linking words.

– Write clear and concise sentences.

– Use passive voice where suitable.

– Include conditionals for complexity.

– Check subject-verb agreement.

– Use adjectives and adverbs appropriately.

– Avoid fragments and run-ons.

– Maintain parallel structures.

– Proofread your work carefully.

Applying these tips will help you form grammatically correct, varied, and natural sentences, enhancing your IELTS Writing score.