Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA) (25% of overall score) – This is a very important factor which is missed by most of the candidates. Owing to this, they score 6 or 6.5 in writing. To score 7 or above in writing, one should use a variety of sentence structures in an appropriate way.
Simple Sentences:
These sentences have an independent clause and a dependent clause. These sentences are easy to understand, contains a subject a verb and an object.
Example: Some people believe that smoking is detrimental to health.
Compound Sentences:
These sentences are joined by two or more simple sentences with conjunctions which are also known as “ Coordinating conjunctions”.
Coordinating Conjunctions can be learned as “FANBOYS”.
F-for –Reason
A-and –to connect
N—nor –neither of the options
B-but—used to show comparsions
O-or –used to show options
Y-yet-so far, till now
S—so —-a consequence, result
The main confusion among candidates is “When to use comma? “
Comma is not used when conjunction is used within the sentences. Use a comma when conjunctions are used to join the two independent clauses.
Examples: Is it right or wrong?
Smoking is harmful to health, and some governments have banned smoking in public areas.
OXFORD Comma(Series Comma)-This is an optional comma which is used before the word “and “ and at the end of the list.
I visited the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada.
Complex Sentences:
A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. You can combine two simple sentences to create a complex sentence by making one simple sentence into a subordinate clause.
Following are the examples of subordinating junctions;
O-Only if
N– Now that, Nonetheless, Nevertheless
A-Although, After, As
W-While, whereas, when, which
H-How, However
I- Inspite of, If, In case, In order that
T– Though, that,Till
E– Even Though, Even If
B– Because, before
U– Unless, Until
S– Since, So
Example- Although living in an apartment has a greater number of benefits,some people prefer to live in independent homes.
Some people prefer to live in independent homes even if living in an apartment has a greater number of benefits.
Compound –Complex Sentences:
These sentences has at least two independent clauses and at least one independent clause.
Example:Though he did not prepare well,he wrote his exam,and he got an A+ !