Hi, I’m Matthew Clarke, and as a senior IELTS Speaking examiner, I can tell you this — grammar isn’t about perfection; it’s about control and variety.
Many candidates believe grammar only matters in the Writing test, but in truth, it plays a major role in your Speaking score. The examiner listens not just for accuracy, but for your ability to use a range of grammatical structures naturally and appropriately.
In this lesson, I’ll explain how Grammatical Range and Accuracy are assessed, show you how to use tenses and complex sentences effectively, and share real examples of Band 7+ performance. For official details, you can refer to the IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors on the British Council site.
The IELTS Speaking test measures grammar in two main ways:
As confirmed by IELTS.org, the examiner focuses on whether your grammar supports your communication. In other words, using advanced structures doesn’t help unless they sound natural and correct.
Here’s how grammar is reflected across band levels:
Band | Description |
Band 6 | Simple structures used fairly well, but frequent errors. |
Band 7 | Mix of simple and complex sentences; occasional mistakes don’t affect understanding. |
Band 8–9 | Wide range of structures used accurately and flexibly. Errors are rare and minor. |
The IDP IELTS guidance makes it clear: you don’t need to speak with perfect grammar to score well. What matters is whether your grammar helps you express ideas clearly and precisely — not whether every sentence is flawless. You can see authentic examples of this balance in action on the IDP Speaking Test page.
A Band 7+ candidate uses a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences. Let’s look at each briefly:
Sentence Type | Example | Why It Matters |
Simple | I enjoy travelling. | Clear and correct base form. |
Compound | I enjoy travelling, and I often plan trips with friends. | Shows ability to connect ideas. |
Complex | I enjoy travelling because it helps me learn about new cultures. | Adds logical connection and detail. |
If you can use these three types naturally throughout your answers, your grammatical range automatically improves.
The IELTS Speaking test covers many topics that naturally use different verb tenses.
Here’s how you can demonstrate control:
Tense | When to Use It | Example |
Present Simple | Daily routines or facts | I usually start work at nine. |
Present Continuous | Current actions or trends | I’m learning Spanish at the moment. |
Past Simple | Completed experiences | I travelled to Japan last year. |
Present Perfect | Life experiences or change | I’ve visited many countries in Asia. |
Future Forms | Plans or predictions | I’m going to start a new job soon. |
Many Band 6 candidates stick to simple present or past tenses. To move up, practise switching between them depending on the question context. The British Council IELTS Speaking samples are great for hearing this in real interviews.
Complex grammar doesn’t mean complicated language — it means sentences that express relationships between ideas.
Here are some structures that boost your score:
Type | Example |
Conditional | If I had more time, I’d travel more often. |
Relative Clause | The city where I grew up is famous for its food. |
Comparative | Online learning is more flexible than traditional classes. |
Passive Voice | English is spoken all over the world. |
Reported Speech | My teacher said I should practise every day. |
The key is to use these forms naturally in conversation — not to force them into your answer.
For example, instead of saying:
“If I had been given the chance to visit the museum, I would have gone there with my colleagues.”
You could say:
“If I’d had the chance, I would’ve gone to the museum with my colleagues.”
The second version sounds more fluent and authentic.
Here are some common problem areas that often lower candidates’ scores:
Mistake | Correction |
He go to work every day. | He goes to work every day. |
People is friendly in my town. | People are friendly in my town. |
I am agree. | I agree. |
I didn’t went there. | I didn’t go there. |
She can to drive. | She can drive. |
Focus on accuracy before complexity. A simple correct sentence scores more than a complex but incorrect one.
Examiner: Do you prefer living in a city or in the countryside?
Candidate: I prefer the countryside because it’s quieter and less stressful. I’ve lived in a city before, but I found it too crowded and noisy. If I could, I’d build a small house near the hills — that would be my dream home.
Here, the speaker uses present, past, and conditional forms together — a perfect demonstration of grammatical range and accuracy at Band 8 level.
Ask yourself during practice:
1️⃣ What does grammatical range mean in IELTS Speaking?
It means using a variety of sentence structures — simple, compound, and complex — to express ideas clearly.
2️⃣ How can I improve grammar accuracy?
Listen to high-band examples on IDP IELTS Speaking samples and practise daily with corrections.
3️⃣ Is perfect grammar required for Band 9?
No. Even Band 9 speakers make minor slips — what matters is that errors are rare and don’t affect meaning.
4️⃣ Do I lose marks if I correct myself?
Not at all. Self-correction shows awareness, which examiners appreciate.
5️⃣ Should I use complex grammar in every answer?
Use it when appropriate — naturalness is more important than overcomplication.
To achieve a high score for Grammatical Range and Accuracy, focus on control, not complexity. Mix sentence types, switch tenses naturally, and prioritise clarity over fancy grammar.
Next, continue to Pronunciation & Intonation to refine how your speech sounds, ensuring your excellent grammar is understood clearly.
You can also revisit the IELTS Speaking Overview to see how grammar connects with other scoring areas like fluency and vocabulary.
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