In this tutorial, we look at 10 IELTS Band 9 grammar features to help you with IELTS Writing. 

We discuss:

Ten grammar features you can add to your IELTS Writing essay.

Band 9 grammar features with their meanings and examples in sentences.

How to use advanced croft sentences and inverted structures.

How to use verb tenses correctly in IELTS.

The C2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and Band 9 of the IELTS Exam both refer to the highest level of proficiency in English.

Here are some examples of written grammatical structures you would expect to see at this level.

Top 10 IELTS Band 9 Features for Writing

* Complex Sentences: Mastery of English grammar at this level means being able to create complex sentences with multiple clauses. This can involve the use of relative clauses, conditional sentences, and both active and passive voice.

* Subjunctive Mood: The subjunctive mood is used in certain situations to reflect hypotheticals, wishes, and suggestions, such as “If I were a millionaire, I would travel the world.”

* Modal Perfect Verbs: These are used to talk about past probability or certainty, regret, and necessity, e.g., “They must have left already.” or “He should have called by now.”

* Inverted Structures: Inverted structures are when the normal order of subject and verb is reversed, often for rhetorical effect, e.g., “Not only did she write the report, but she also presented it.”

* Cleft Sentences: This is a complex sentence used for emphasis or to highlight a particular aspect of the sentence.

Examples of Cleft Sentences

Here are some examples of cleft sentences used in an academic writing context. Keep in mind that cleft sentences are often used for emphasis or to highlight specific information:

* It is the gravitational forces that keep the planets in orbit around the sun.

* What causes cancer in many cases is still unknown to medical professionals.

* It was in the early 20th century that quantum mechanics first emerged.

* What modern societies must prioritise is finding sustainable energy sources.

* It was Albert Einstein who proposed the theory of relativity.

* What makes this situation unique is the rapid change in the global climate.

* It is the government’s fiscal policies that significantly impact economic growth.

* What distinguishes mammals from other animals is their ability to nurse their young.

* It was through the study of genetics that scientists first began to understand the complexities of evolution.

* What determines the success of a startup company, in many cases, is the strength of its leadership team.

Note that while cleft sentences can be a useful tool, they can also lead to a more complex and sometimes less direct style of writing. Therefore, they should be used sparingly and when their use can genuinely enhance clarity or emphasis in your writing.

* Ellipsis and Substitution: These are methods of avoiding repetition in a text by omitting words or replacing them with an appropriate substitute, such as, “She asked if I wanted to go, but I didn’t.”

* Wide Range of Vocabulary: A broad and deep vocabulary is key, including idiomatic expressions, phrasal verbs, academic language, and less common words and phrases.

* Varied Sentence Structures: Proficient writers can vary their sentence structures to avoid monotony, creating a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences, and making use of a variety of conjunctions and transitional phrases.

* Correct Punctuation: This includes appropriate use of commas, semi-colons, colons,