Grammar Range Without Accuracy in IELTS Writing
GRA · Grammar · May 2026
Direct answer
The grammar-range-without-accuracy trap is when you chase complex structures but produce frequent errors. Relative clauses break agreement, conditionals flip tenses, and articles vanish inside long sentences. Examiners score Grammatical Range and Accuracy on both variety and control—errors in ambitious grammar often cap GRA at Band 6 even when simpler sentences would have been error-free.
How the trap shows up
Broken relatives which who that confusion mid-sentence
Conditional mix If governments will invest without past tense
Article drop Errors spike inside subordinate clauses
Patterns that cap GRA
| Trap | Why it fails |
|---|---|
| Template cramming | Structures pasted without mastery |
| Long sentence gamble | One error ruins the whole line |
| Passive overuse | Agent missing, tense wrong |
| Range display | Every paragraph tries something new |
Contrast with conditional sentences overuse.
Fix: range you can proofread
Build a small toolkit: one relative clause, one concession clause, one conditional—each tested in practice essays. Under time pressure, shorten before you publish a broken complex sentence.
Key takeaways
- GRA needs accuracy first; range second.
- Complex grammar with errors hurts more than simple clarity.
- Repeat mastered structures instead of experimenting on exam day.
- Leave thirty seconds to catch article and agreement slips.
FAQ
No—use structures you control; one accurate complex sentence beats three broken ones.
Simple accurate grammar can reach Band 7; errors in complex structures pull GRA down faster than plain sentences would.
Only if you use them correctly in context—see conditional overuse guides if errors repeat.
Check whether your complex sentences are accurate—or costing you GRA marks.
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