English Grammar Tense Rules with PDF

Grammar tense is very important in IELTS, because it is one of the criteria that the examiners use to assess your writing and speaking skills. Using the correct tense can show your ability to communicate clearly and accurately, as well as your range and flexibility of language. On the other hand, using the wrong tense can confuse the reader or listener, and lower your score.

How to Use Grammar Tense in IELTS Writing?

In IELTS Writing, you need to use different tenses depending on the task and the topic. For example, in Task 1 Academic, you may have to describe a graph, a table, a chart, a map, or a process. In this case, you need to pay attention to the time frame of the data or information, and use the appropriate tense to report it. For instance, if the graph shows the past trends, you should use the past simple tense; if the graph shows the future projections, you should use the future simple tense or modal verbs; if the graph shows the present situation, you should use the present simple tense.

In Task 2, you may have to write an essay on a given topic, such as an opinion, a problem, an advantage, a disadvantage, or a solution. In this case, you need to use different tenses to express your ideas and arguments, as well as to support them with examples and evidence. For example, if you are writing about the advantages of studying abroad, you should use the present simple tense to state the general benefits; if you are giving an example from your own experience, you should use the past simple tense to narrate what happened; if you are making a recommendation or a prediction, you should use the future simple tense or modal verbs to indicate your intention or expectation.

How to Use Grammar Tense in IELTS Speaking?

In IELTS Speaking, you need to use different tenses depending on the part and the question. For example, in Part 1, you may be asked about yourself, your family, your hobbies, your work, your studies, or your preferences. In this case, you should use the present simple tense to talk about the facts and habits; the present continuous tense to talk about the actions happening now or around now; the present perfect tense to talk about the experiences or changes in your life; and the future simple tense or modal verbs to talk about your plans or hopes.

In Part 2, you may be given a cue card with a topic and some points to talk about. In this case, you should use different tenses to describe the topic in detail, and to explain why it is important or interesting to you. For example, if the topic is a book that you have read recently, you should use the past simple tense to tell when and where you read it; the past continuous tense to tell what you were doing while you read it; the present perfect tense to tell how it has affected you or what you have learned from it; and the future simple tense or modal verbs to tell if you would recommend it to others or read it again.

In Part 3, you may be asked to discuss some issues or opinions related to the topic in Part 2. In this case, you should use different tenses to express your views and reasons, as well as to give examples and evidence. For example, if the topic is about books and reading, you should use the present simple tense to state the general facts or trends; the past simple tense to give historical or personal examples; the present perfect tense to show the current situation or impact; and the future simple tense or modal verbs to make predictions or suggestions.

Conclusion

Grammar tense is a vital aspect of IELTS, as it can affect your score and performance in both writing and speaking. Therefore, you should learn and practice the different types of tenses, and know how to use them correctly and appropriately in different contexts and situations. By doing so, you can improve your grammar skills and achieve your desired band score in IELTS.