What’s the difference between ‘affect’ and ‘effect’?

October 9, 2023May 19, 2019 by Ray IELTS Focus

Using vocabulary precisely in IELTS is very important for getting a high score in lexical resource. Affect and effect are often used incorrectly even by native speakers!

Let’s look at the difference between these and how can they be used in a sentence accurately.

They are not exactly synonyms, they are homophones, which means they sound the same but are spelt differently. There are some exceptions when affect can be used as a verb or effect used as a noun, but generally speaking, these are the rules below:

Affect is a verb – Effect is a noun

What’s more important? grammatical range or accuracy?

October 9, 2023February 21, 2019 by Ray IELTS Focus

Let’s take a look at grammatical range and accuracy in IELTS writing.

Many IELTS test takers think that they need to have a wide range of grammar for a high score in grammatical range and accuracy in the writing section. This is only partly true. If you have a wide range of grammar but it is not accurate then it will not score very high.

My advice is to focus on accuracy rather than range at the start and when you get confident with accuracy you develop your range of grammar. You need to think of the reader when writing and essay. If you are just trying to impress the examiner then you are not considering the overall coherence of the essay. Keep it concise and simple. Of course, if you have a consistently wide range of grammar with good accuracy then you are well on the way to a Band 7 or more.

IELTS writing: Keeping it simple

September 12, 2024February 18, 2018 by Ray IELTS Focus

Be concise and keep your writing simple and clear.

Updated: Sept 2024

I quite often get essays that contain ‘flowery’ or convoluted sentences and vocabulary which makes it hard to understand what point is being made. My advice here is to keep your wording simple, direct to the point and concise.

It seems that many students try too hard to use ‘complex sentences’ or ‘high level’ vocabulary and completely miss the point of communication, so in the end the reader (the examiner in this case) has trouble understanding.

IELTS Grammar: Conjunctions in writing

October 9, 2023October 5, 2017 by Ray IELTS Focus

Using conjunctions in IELTS writing.

Updated April 7th 2022

For a high band score in IELTS writing, it is important to use conjunctions effectively. This shows the examiner you can use grammar precisely and helps the flow of your essay, which makes it easier for the reader. A conjunction is a word used to connect clauses or sentences. These are marked under grammar and are directly linked to coherence and cohesion in the IELTS marking criteria.

If you make mistakes with conjunctions it will affect coherence and cohesion. In fact ‘complex sentences’ can be constructed using conjunctions. Let’s take a look at some of these and how to use them correctly.

How to use cohesive devices effectively

December 6, 2023July 20, 2017 by Ray IELTS Focus

A guide to linking and cohesion in IELTS writing.

Updated: December 2023

One of the most important skills for getting a good score in the IELTS writing exam, is the way cohesive devices or linking devices are used. In the marking criteria for task 2 essays and Writing task 1 reports, Coherence and Cohesion accounts for 25% of your marks. So it is important to have an essay that flows naturally and is easy for the reader to understand. A key component of this is cohesive devices, however, use them correctly and sparingly.

IELTS grammar: How to write complex sentences

May 21, 2024July 5, 2017 by Ray IELTS Focus

Complex sentences in IELTS writing.

Updated: May 2024

It is important to use some ‘complex sentences’ in IELTS writing task 2 otherwise you are unlikely to get a band 6 or more in grammar. However, not all of your sentences have to be ‘complex‘ you need to use simple sentences too.

Grammar accounts for 25% of your marks in the writing tasks but there is some confusion in IELTS about what a ‘complex sentence’ actually is.

IELTS grammar: articles and countable / uncountable nouns

January 9, 2024June 21, 2017 by Ray IELTS Focus

Common IELTS grammar mistakes.

Updated: January 2024

The most common mistakes I see in writing are with articles (the, a, an) and countable/uncountable nouns. Over many years of marking IELTS essays and listening to students when speaking, I have noticed these same mistakes consistently.

IELTS Grammar: Instead / Instead of / Rather than

October 9, 2023May 23, 2017 by Ray IELTS Focus

How to use instead / instead of / rather than.

When writing essays in IELTS task 2 (it also comes in handy for the speaking test) you will need to use ‘instead’ or ‘rather than’ to show preference, changing trends, opinions or facts. Here are some sentences based on the topic of technology and internet use.

IELTS writing task 1: Line graph with a future trend

October 9, 2023May 15, 2017 by Ray IELTS Focus

How to write about IELTS graphs with future trends.

Updated: October 2023

Sometimes in IELTS academic writing task 1, you may be presented with a graph showing a future prediction.

In this case, you need to use the future tense with some specific academic phrases. Let’s have a look at the grammar needed in case you get one of these in the exam. Note that the data in this task is dynamic, which means it changes over time.

IELTS Grammar: Most / Almost / Almost all

October 9, 2023May 8, 2017 by Ray IELTS Focus

How to use Almost all / Most / Almost

A quick grammar lesson here. Let’s take a look at some common grammar mistakes using the word most / almost / almost all. Remember that the IELTS examiners mark you on the range and accuracy of your grammar in the speaking and writing section.