Grammar for Band 7: Six Structures That Show Range and Accuracy

The band 7 descriptor for Grammatical Range and Accuracy, in both Writing and Speaking, asks for a variety of complex structures and frequent error-free sentences. Note both halves: range and accuracy. Six reliable structures, used correctly, will show both.

1. Relative clauses

Add information and join ideas.

• Students who study abroad often become more independent. (defining)
• Singapore, which has one of the best education systems in the world, invests heavily in teacher training. (non-defining: note the commas)

Common error: The people which live… → use who for people.

2. Conditionals beyond the first

• Second conditional for hypothetical situations: If governments taxed sugary drinks more heavily, consumption would fall.
• Third conditional for the past: If the city had invested in public transport earlier, congestion would not have become so severe.
• Mixed conditional: If I had learned English as a child, I would be more confident now.

3. The passive voice

Essential in academic writing and in Task 1 process diagrams.

• The raw materials are crushed and then heated to 1,450°C.
• It is widely believed that…
• More funding should be allocated to rural schools.

Use it when the action matters more than who performs it, but don't use it in every sentence.

4. Concession

Show balanced thinking, which is valued in Task 2.

• Although online learning is flexible, it requires considerable self-discipline.
• Despite the high cost, many families choose private education. (despite + noun/-ing)
• While it is true that…, I would argue that…

Common error: Despite of… → Despite or In spite of.

5. Noun phrases and nominalisation

Academic English often turns verbs into nouns:

• Cities grew rapidly, so pollution increased. → The rapid growth of cities led to an increase in pollution.

This sounds more formal and lets you pack more information into a sentence.

6. Modal verbs for nuance

• Possibility: This could reduce costs. / This may lead to…
• Recommendation: Governments ought to / should consider…
• Past speculation: The decline might have been caused by…

Bringing it together: one paragraph, five structures

*Although public transport is often criticised (concession), cities that have invested in modern metro systems (relative clause) have seen a significant reduction in congestion. In Seoul, for example, a large proportion of commuters are now carried (passive) by underground trains every day. If other cities followed (second conditional) this example, air quality would improve considerably. The expansion of such networks (nominalisation) is therefore an investment rather than a cost.*

Each structure appears once, accurately and for a purpose. This is the balance examiners describe as "a variety of complex structures" with "frequent error-free sentences".

Range without risk

Accuracy matters as much as range. A sentence that tries a complex structure and fails can hurt more than a simple correct one. The safest path:

1. Master each structure in practice writing first.
2. Use two or three of them per paragraph, not in every sentence.
3. Keep some short sentences for clarity and emphasis.

Practice task

Rewrite these sentences using the structure in brackets:

1. Many people work long hours. They have little time for exercise. (relative clause)
2. The government didn't build more housing. Prices rose. (third conditional)
3. Technology is useful. It can be addictive. (concession with although)

Possible answers:

1. Many people, who work long hours, have little time for exercise. (or the defining version, without commas)
2. If the government had built more housing, prices would not have risen.
3. Although technology is useful, it can be addictive.

Check your own sentences with our AI writing feedback.