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How Complex Grammar Improves Your Grammar and Cohesion Scores

For IELTS, Using complex grammar improves both grammar and cohesion scores by demonstrating sentence variety and better linking of ideas, which is essential for higher band scores.
authorImageNigam Sharma17 Dec, 2024
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How Complex Grammar Improves Your Grammar and Cohesion Scores

How Complex Grammar Improves Your Grammar and Cohesion Scores: Grammar and cohesion are two essential elements in language exams, particularly in tests like IELTS and TOEFL. Many candidates focus on basic sentence structures, but complex grammar plays an important role in improving both your Grammar and Cohesion scores.

Let us explore how mastering complex grammar can enhance your performance in IELTS exam and how it directly influences the scoring criteria in language proficiency tests. Whether you are preparing for an exam or improving your writing skills, this article will provide you the tools to use complex grammar effectively to boost your scores.

IELTS Writing Band Descriptors

Understanding Grammar and Cohesion in Language Tests

Before diving into the relationship between complex grammar and test scores, it is essential to understand the concepts of grammar and cohesion in writing and speaking tasks.

Grammar:

Grammar encompasses the rules and structures that govern language use, including sentence formation, punctuation, and word usage. In exams like IELTS, grammar is evaluated based on accuracy, range, and flexibility. A well-constructed sentence demonstrates your ability to use different grammatical structures effectively.

Cohesion:

Cohesion refers to how well your ideas are linked together in your writing or speaking. It ensures that your ideas flow logically, making your responses easy to understand. Cohesion relies on using appropriate transitional words, conjunctions, and varied sentence structures to create a smooth flow of thought. A cohesive piece of writing or speech holds the reader or listener's attention and conveys ideas effectively.

Key Scoring Criteria:

  • Grammar Range and Accuracy (IELTS Writing and Speaking): This criterion evaluates the range of grammatical structures used and their accuracy.
  • Coherence and Cohesion (IELTS Writing): This evaluates the logical flow of ideas, how well they are connected, and the use of linking devices and cohesive structures.
Now that we know the basics, let’s explore how complex grammar impacts both grammar and cohesion scores.

IELTS Writing Band Score

Role of Complex Grammar in Enhancing Grammar Scores

When preparing for language proficiency exams, students often focus on mastering basic grammar rules, but complex grammar structures are equally important. By integrating advanced grammatical structures into your writing and speaking, you not only increase the accuracy of your sentences but also demonstrate your language proficiency to the examiner.

1. Demonstrates Grammatical Range

Complex grammar structures encompass a variety of tenses, clauses, conjunctions, and sentence types. By using these structures, you show your ability to manipulate the language effectively. Examples of complex grammatical elements include:
  • Relative clauses (e.g., "The book that I read was fascinating.")
  • Subordinate clauses (e.g., "Although it was raining, I went for a walk.")
  • Conditional sentences (e.g., "If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.")
  • Passive voice (e.g., "The report was written by the team.")
  • Inversion (e.g., "Rarely have I seen such dedication.")
By demonstrating a wide range of grammatical structures, you signal to the examiner that you are proficient in the language and can use it flexibly in different contexts.

IELTS Writing Test Format

2. Improves Sentence Variety

Using complex grammar allows you to move beyond simple subject-verb-object sentence structures. Varied sentence types such as compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences make your writing more dynamic and engaging. Sentence variety also helps break the monotony, improving readability and overall fluency. For instance:
  • Simple Sentence: "I went to the market."
  • Compound Sentence: "I went to the market, and I bought some fruits."
  • Complex Sentence: "Although it was late, I went to the market to buy some fruits."
  • Compound-Complex Sentence: "Although it was late, I went to the market, and I bought some fruits."
A combination of complex and simple sentences reflects a mastery of grammar and helps you score higher on Grammar Range and Accuracy .

3. Enhances Accuracy

Complex grammar also means greater opportunities to demonstrate accuracy in tense usage, subject-verb agreement, word order, and punctuation. Using a range of structures correctly ensures that your grammar is precise and error-free, which is crucial for a high score in any language test. For example, when using conditionals correctly, you demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between actions and their consequences:
  • Zero Conditional : "If you heat ice, it melts."
  • First Conditional : "If I study, I will pass the test."
  • Second Conditional : "If I were rich, I would travel the world."
  • Third Conditional : "If I had known, I would have helped you."

IELTS Writing Mistakes

How Complex Grammar Improves Cohesion

Cohesion in writing and speaking refers to how ideas are linked together to form a logical and easy-to-follow narrative. While transitional devices and linking words are often used for cohesion, complex grammar is equally important in establishing a coherent flow. Here’s how:

1. Better Linkage Between Ideas

By using relative and subordinate clauses, you can easily link ideas within a sentence. Complex structures allow for more sophisticated ways of connecting related ideas, making your responses more cohesive. For example:
  • Simple Sentence : "I enjoy reading books."
  • Complex Sentence : "I enjoy reading books because they allow me to escape into different worlds."
The second sentence adds depth and connects two related ideas, demonstrating effective cohesion.

2. Improved Use of Cohesive Devices

Complex grammar structures often require the use of cohesive devices such as conjunctions, relative pronouns, and adverbs. These devices help in connecting ideas not only within sentences but also between paragraphs, creating a smooth flow in writing.
  • Conjunctions : "However," "Although," "Moreover," etc.
  • Relative Pronouns : "Who," "Which," "That," etc.
  • Adverbial phrases : "In addition," "As a result," etc.
For instance:
  • "She was late for the meeting because she missed the bus."
  • "She was late for the meeting; however, she was prepared with all the necessary documents."
These devices enhance the logical flow of ideas, contributing to higher Cohesion and Coherence scores.

3. Using Complex Sentences for Logical Flow

Complex sentences help in elaborating and providing additional information, allowing your ideas to flow logically. For example, an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay benefits from complex structures that outline your argument and provide examples:
  • Introduction : "There are several reasons why online education is becoming increasingly popular."
  • Body Paragraph 1 : "One reason is that it allows for flexibility, which is essential for working individuals who want to pursue further studies."
  • Body Paragraph 2 : "Moreover, online education eliminates geographical constraints, enabling students from remote areas to access quality courses."
In this case, complex sentences and appropriate transitions make the ideas more connected, improving the cohesion of the writing.
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Impact on IELTS Writing Band Scores

IELTS assesses Writing skills based on four criteria:
  1. Task Achievement
  2. Coherence and Cohesion
  3. Lexical Resource
  4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Grammatical Range and Accuracy:

The higher your ability to use a variety of grammatical structures accurately, the higher your band score. Complex grammar shows your ability to use a range of structures, demonstrating fluency and versatility in the language. A score of Band 7 or above typically requires candidates to use complex sentences correctly and with good accuracy.

Coherence and Cohesion:

A seamless flow of ideas, enhanced by complex grammatical structures, directly impacts the Coherence and Cohesion criterion. Effective use of cohesive devices and linking ideas with subordinating and relative clauses improves the overall clarity and organization of your writing.

Types of IELTS Exam

Tips for Mastering Complex Grammar

Mastering complex grammar can be challenging, but with consistent practice and the right techniques, it becomes an achievable goal. In this section, we’ll explore practical tips to help you refine your grammar skills and enhance your writing. By incorporating these strategies into your study routine, you can effectively improve your grammatical range and accuracy.
  1. Practice Combining Sentences : Try combining simple sentences into complex ones using conjunctions, relative clauses, or conditional structures.
  2. Focus on Sentence Variety : Practice creating a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences to avoid monotony.
  3. Review Grammar Rules : Make sure you understand the rules governing different tenses, clauses, and sentence structures.
  4. Write Regularly : The more you write, the more comfortable you’ll become in using complex structures naturally.
  5. Seek Feedback : Get feedback on your writing to ensure you are using complex grammar accurately and effectively.

IELTS practice tests

Mastering complex grammar structures is not only about adding complexity to your writing but also about improving the clarity and flow of your ideas. Whether you are preparing for the IELTS exam or simply want to improve your language proficiency, complex grammar can play a crucial role in enhancing your Grammar and Cohesion scores. By demonstrating a wide range of grammatical structures, ensuring accuracy, and using complex sentences to improve the logical flow of ideas, you are more likely to achieve a higher band score and communicate your ideas effectively.

PW IELTS Prep

PW IELTS provides online coaching to help students prepare for the test using a disciplined approach. PW provides IELTS Coaching for both Academic and General Training. To get a band score of 8 or above on the IELTS test, students must participate in PW's IELTS coaching program. Physics Wallah provides great online education for the IELTS to a variety of students. This course has been designed by highly qualified faculty members to help students prepare for the IELTS test.
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How Complex Grammar Improves Your Grammar and Cohesion Scores FAQs

Q1. How does complex grammar impact my IELTS writing score?

Ans. Complex grammar helps showcase your ability to use a variety of sentence structures, which is essential for scoring higher in both grammar accuracy and cohesion. It demonstrates your command over the language and ability to link ideas effectively.

Q2. What types of complex grammar structures should I use for a higher IELTS score?

Ans. You should use a range of complex sentences, including relative clauses, conditional sentences, passive voice, and subordinating conjunctions. The variety in sentence structures will help improve your score.

Q3. Does using complex grammar always guarantee a higher IELTS score?

Ans. No, it doesn’t guarantee a higher score unless it is used accurately. Incorrect or overuse of complex structures may negatively impact your grammar score. Accuracy is key.

Q4. How can I improve my grammar and cohesion for IELTS writing?

Ans. Practice using complex structures correctly, focus on linking ideas coherently with appropriate transition words, and ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and well-formed.

Q5. Is complex grammar necessary for achieving a band score of 7 or higher in IELTS?

Ans. While it's not mandatory, using complex grammar structures effectively is highly recommended for achieving a band score of 7 or higher, as it helps in demonstrating language proficiency and cohesion.
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