Elevate Your Speaking: 25 Complex Grammar Structures Explained

Have you often heard that mastering complex grammar structures is essential to achieving a Band 7+ in the IELTS Speaking test? It's true. A blend of sophisticated sentence patterns can significantly enhance your fluency and coherence. But how do you integrate these effortlessly into your speaking? Let’s explore 25 complex grammar structures that can transform your speaking score. Whether you're preparing for an exam or simply refining your English, these insights will be crucial. Truly crucial.

Understanding Complex Grammar Structures

Complex grammar structures involve sentences with multiple clauses, varied vocabulary, and sophisticated patterns. They not only showcase your language skills but also enrich your communication. In the IELTS Speaking test, using a diverse range of these structures can demonstrate your ability to express ideas clearly and convincingly. Is this something everyone finds easy? Not quite.

Why Aim for Complex Grammar?

Demonstrates Proficiency: Using varied sentence structures indicates to examiners your command of the language. It's incredibly important.
Enhances Fluency: Complex sentences allow you to convey nuanced ideas more effectively. Not always easy, though.
Boosts Coherence: Organized thoughts are easier to follow when presented in well-constructed sentences. It makes a significant difference.

25 Complex Grammar Structures for a Band 7+ Speaking Score

We'll break these structures down into manageable segments. Each section includes examples and practical tips for usage.

1. Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences, often starting with "if," are essential for expressing hypothetical situations.

Type 1: If + present simple, will + base verb
Example: If I study diligently this semester, I will ace the finals.
Type 2: If + past simple, would + base verb
Example: If I had more free time, I would learn Spanish.
Type 3: If + past perfect, would have + past participle
Example: If I had been informed earlier, I would have attended the seminar last Saturday.

Tip: Use these for discussing possibilities and expressing regrets.

2. Passive Voice

The passive voice shifts the focus from the subject to the action or recipient of the action.

Structure: Object + be + past participle
Example: The annual report was reviewed by the board last week.

Tip: Perfect for highlighting actions rather than the doer.

3. Relative Clauses

Relative clauses add additional information about a noun without beginning a new sentence.

Using "who" or "which"
Example: The scientist who discovered the vaccine received a Nobel Prize.

Tip: Use these to provide additional details succinctly. They are incredibly useful.

4. Reported Speech

Reported speech recounts what someone else has said, often requiring tense changes.

Structure: Subject + said (that) + clause
Example: She mentioned that she would be traveling to France next month.

Warning: Pay attention to tense shifts and pronoun changes.

5. Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood expresses wishes, hypothetical situations, or actions contrary to fact.

Example: If I were the manager, I would implement a new strategy immediately.

Tip: Useful for giving advice or discussing hypothetical scenarios.

6. Modals of Deduction

These modals express degrees of certainty.

Must, might, can't
Example: Given the circumstances, he must be the project leader; he's always in charge during meetings.

Tip: Use them to speculate or deduce information.

7. Mixed Conditionals

Mixed conditionals show the relationship between past conditions and present results.

Example: If I had known about the policy change, I would be more prepared now.

Tip: Perfect for discussing past actions affecting the present.

8. Inversion for Emphasis

Inversion places the verb before the subject for emphasis in conditional sentences. Strong emphasis, when needed.

Example: Had I realized the importance, I would have attended the workshop.

Tip: Use sparingly for strong emphasis.

9. Cleft Sentences

Cleft sentences highlight specific parts of a sentence for emphasis.

Structure: It is/was + emphasized part + that/who + rest of the sentence
Example: It was during the summer that I learned to swim.

Tip: Focus on the most important information.

10. Complex Prepositions

Complex prepositions are multi-word prepositions that provide nuanced meaning.

Examples: In spite of, due to, in accordance with
Example: In spite of the challenges, the team completed the project on time.

Tip: Enhance your descriptions with precise prepositions.

11. Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds and infinitives follow specific verbs to convey different meanings.

Example: I enjoy cooking; I hope to travel more next year.

Tip: Memorize which verbs require gerunds or infinitives.

12. Participle Clauses

Participle clauses provide additional information in a compact form.

Example: Having completed his thesis, he took a well-deserved vacation.

Tip: Great for showing simultaneous actions or reasons.

13. Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions link balanced clauses or phrases.

Examples: Either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also
Example: Not only did she excel in her studies, but she also volunteered actively.

Tip: Use to connect and emphasize related ideas. Highly effective.

14. Nominalisation

Nominalisation turns verbs or adjectives into nouns, making sentences more formal.

Example: The implementation of new policies was essential for improvement.

Tip: Useful in academic and formal contexts.

15. Parenthetical Expressions

Parenthetical expressions add extra information or clarification.

Example: The conference, as you might recall, was held in May.

Tip: Use commas to set off these expressions.

16. Complex Sentences with Multiple Clauses

Link multiple ideas using conjunctions.

Example: Although the weather was unfavorable, we decided to continue with the event, and it turned out to be a success.

Tip: Ensure clarity by not overloading sentences.

17. Infinitive of Purpose

Express the purpose of an action using the infinitive form.

Example: She attended the workshop to enhance her skills.

Tip: Ideal for explaining reasons succinctly.

18. Concessive Clauses

Concessive clauses express contrast or concession.

Example: Even though he was exhausted, he finished the marathon.

Tip: Use to show contrast or unexpected results.

19. Absolute Phrases

Absolute phrases provide context or background information.

Example: The wind howling, we hurried to find shelter.

Tip: Great for setting the scene or mood.

20. Elliptical Constructions

Elliptical constructions omit repeated words for conciseness.

Example: She can sing beautifully, and he, quite impressively too.

Tip: Use to avoid redundancy.

21. Double Comparatives

Double comparatives express increasing levels of comparison.

Example: The earlier you start, the more efficient you'll become.

Tip: Useful for showing cause and effect.

22. Hedging Language

Hedging softens statements, making them less direct.

Examples: Perhaps, it seems, possibly
Example: It seems that we might need to explore other options.

Tip: Use in discussions or when uncertain.

23. Emphatic Do

Emphatic do adds emphasis in affirmative sentences. Very impactful.

Example: I do think it's crucial to consider environmental impacts.

Tip: Use to stress certainty or importance.

24. Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions convey meanings not deducible from individual words.

Example: After the meeting, he was over the moon.

Tip: Enhance fluency and cultural understanding.

25. Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs combine verbs with prepositions or adverbs to create new meanings.

Example: After the presentation, she looked up the details online.

Tip: Common in everyday English; learn them contextually.

Conclusion

Mastering these 25 complex grammar structures can significantly boost your IELTS Speaking score. By incorporating these sentence patterns into your practice, you'll not only impress examiners but also communicate more effectively in English. Remember: practice makes perfect. Start integrating these structures into your daily conversations, and you'll notice a marked improvement in your fluency and confidence.

Achieving a Band 7+ is within your reach. Keep practicing, and don't hesitate to seek feedback from teachers or peers. Ready to elevate your speaking skills? Begin today, and watch your language proficiency soar.