IELTS reality: Many students lose band score in Writing Task 2, not because their ideas are weak, but because grammar mistakes make their arguments harder to follow. This 2026 guide shows how to use a free grammar checker the smart way, so your writing looks cleaner, clearer, and more academic.
IELTS Writing Task 2 is not only about opinions and examples. It is also about how clearly you express them.
Examiners read fast. If your sentences are confusing, repetitive, or full of small errors, your score drops even when your ideas are good.
The easiest way to avoid unnecessary mistakes is to build a simple editing routine.
In this guide, you will learn a practical Band 7+ workflow and how to polish your writing with Grammar.Plus, a free grammar checker you can use directly in your browser.
Your arguments, structure, and examples still matter the most.
Why grammar matters so much in IELTS Writing Task 2
IELTS Writing is scored using four criteria: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammar Range and Accuracy.
Even if your ideas are strong, grammar mistakes can reduce clarity, which can affect more than one criterion.
Here are the most common ways grammar hurts your score:
- Frequent small errors like missing articles, wrong tense, or wrong subject verb agreement.
- Run-on sentences that feel long and confusing.
- Punctuation issues that change meaning or make reading harder.
- Unclear sentence structure that weakens your argument.
A free grammar checker helps you catch these mistakes quickly, especially under time pressure.
But to benefit fully, you need to use it in the right order, not randomly.
Band 7+ mindset: what examiners want to see
Band 7 writing usually has three qualities:
- Clear structure with logical paragraphs and smooth linking.
- Controlled grammar with fewer errors and more variety in sentence types.
- Precise language that avoids repetition and vague wording.
You do not need fancy vocabulary everywhere. You need clean, correct sentences that support your point.
When your grammar is stable, your ideas look stronger too.
IELTS Task 2 structure that works in 2026
Many students overthink structure. Keep it simple. A strong structure makes it easier to write clearly and easier for the examiner to follow.
Recommended structure (4 paragraphs)
- Introduction: Paraphrase the topic + give your position.
- Body Paragraph 1: Main idea + explanation + example.
- Body Paragraph 2: Second main idea + explanation + example.
- Conclusion: Restate your position in one or two sentences.
The 2-step editing method: content first, grammar second
One of the biggest mistakes is trying to fix grammar while writing the first draft.
That breaks your flow and increases stress.
Step 1: Write fast and complete your draft
Write your full answer first. Keep it simple and direct. Do not stop for every small mistake.
Focus on:
- Answering the question properly
- Clear paragraphing
- One main idea per paragraph
Step 2: Polish your draft with a free grammar checker
After your draft is complete, run it through a free grammar checker to fix grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity issues.
This final step can remove 80 percent of avoidable errors in minutes.
Common IELTS Task 2 grammar mistakes and how to fix them
1) Subject verb agreement
Wrong: “These problem affects many countries.”
Right: “These problems affect many countries.”
This is a very common mistake, especially when you write quickly.
A grammar checker catches it immediately.
2) Article mistakes (a, an, the)
Wrong: “Government should invest in education.”
Right: “The government should invest in education.”
Articles are difficult for many learners because some languages do not use them in the same way.
A free grammar checker helps you spot missing articles quickly.
3) Run-on sentences
Long sentences are not always advanced. Often they are unclear. Use shorter sentences with clear linking.
Wrong: “People work long hours it causes stress they cannot give time to family.”
Right: “People often work long hours, which causes stress. As a result, they may have less time for their families.”
4) Wrong tense consistency
Wrong: “In the past people use public transport, now they used cars.”
Right: “In the past, people used public transport, but now they use cars.”
Mixing tense inside one sentence looks careless. This is a fast fix with grammar checking.
3 real IELTS examples (Before → After)
Here are realistic IELTS style lines that students write, and how a quick edit improves clarity and correctness.
Example 1: Opinion statement
I think government should do strict rules because people is not careful about environment.
I believe the government should enforce strict rules because many people are not careful about the environment.
Example 2: Cause and effect
Online education is helpful, students can learn from home it save time and money.
Online education is helpful because students can learn from home, which saves both time and money.
Example 3: Example sentence
For example, many young people prefer social media, it effects their communication skills.
For example, many young people prefer social media, and this affects their communication skills.
Clarity is the fastest way to boost scores.
How to use Grammar.Plus for IELTS editing (fast workflow)
This is a simple routine you can repeat for practice essays.
It is quick, realistic, and student friendly.
- Finish your full draft first. Do not edit mid-way.
- Copy your entire essay into the tool for full context.
- Fix grammar and spelling first. These are the highest priority.
- Then check punctuation and sentence breaks.
- Improve clarity by removing repetition and simplifying long lines.
- Final read to ensure your meaning stayed the same.
Start here:
free grammar checker
Band 7+ checklist (copy and use for every essay)
- My introduction clearly states my position
- Each body paragraph has one main idea
- I used clear linking words (however, therefore, as a result)
- I checked subject verb agreement
- I checked articles (a, an, the)
- I fixed run-on sentences and sentence fragments
- I corrected punctuation, especially commas and full stops
- I reduced repetition of simple words
- I kept tense consistent
- I did a final 30 second read for meaning
FAQs (IELTS students ask these a lot)
Can a free grammar checker increase my IELTS band score?
It can help you reduce avoidable mistakes and improve clarity. That supports better performance,
especially in Grammar Range and Accuracy. However, you still need good structure, logic, and examples.
Should I use a grammar checker for every practice essay?
Yes, for practice it is helpful. The goal is to learn your repeating mistakes.
Over time you will start avoiding those errors naturally.
What should I not paste into online tools?
Avoid passwords, bank details, or personal documents with sensitive information. For IELTS practice essays, it is normally fine.
Want cleaner IELTS writing in minutes?
Practice your next Task 2 essay, then polish it using Grammar.Plus.
It is fast, simple, and built for everyday writers.
No signup required • Works in your browser • Free to use
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