T1

IELTS Writing Task 1 Grammar

Task 1 Grammar Guide

Situational grammar rules for every chart, graph, map and process — what to use, what to avoid, and how it looks in practice.

10 grammar topics39 rules34 common mistakes
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Topic 1 of 10

⏱️

Tense Selection in Task 1

When to use this: Every Task 1 response — choosing the wrong tense is one of the most common Band-lowering errors.

✓ Usage Rules

6 rules
1

Graph/chart covering a COMPLETED past period (e.g. 1990–2020)

Rule

Use PAST SIMPLE throughout

Examples

  • ›Sales rose sharply between 2000 and 2010.
  • ›The proportion fell from 45% to 28% over the period.
  • ›Oil consumption remained stable throughout the decade.
2

Graph showing FUTURE PROJECTIONS (e.g. 2020–2040 forecast)

Rule

Use FUTURE forms: 'is expected to', 'is projected to', 'will', 'is forecast to'

Examples

  • ›The population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050.
  • ›Renewable energy capacity is expected to triple over the next two decades.
  • ›Car ownership will likely increase further in developing nations.
3

PROCESS DIAGRAM (how something works generally)

Rule

Use PRESENT SIMPLE PASSIVE — the process is always true, not past

Examples

  • ›The beans are first roasted at high temperature.
  • ›Water is then filtered through several layers of sand and gravel.
  • ›The finished product is packaged and distributed to retailers.
4

MAP showing current layout (single map, no time comparison)

Rule

Use PRESENT SIMPLE

Examples

  • ›The library is located in the northern section of the campus.
  • ›A car park occupies the south-western corner of the site.
5

TWO MAPS comparing past and present

Rule

Use PAST SIMPLE for the old map, PRESENT PERFECT or PAST SIMPLE for changes

Examples

  • ›In 1990, the area was dominated by farmland.
  • ›By 2020, a shopping centre had been built where the farm once stood.
  • ›The original bridge was demolished and replaced with a motorway.
6

Chart with NO time period (timeless comparison)

Rule

Use PRESENT SIMPLE

Examples

  • ›France records the highest average leisure hours per week.
  • ›Japan shows the lowest figures for all three categories.
  • ›The data indicates a clear preference for online shopping.

✕ What to Avoid

3 mistakes
✕

Using present tense to describe completed historical data

Why it's wrong

Makes the report feel unacademic and suggests poor command of tense

How to fix it

If the chart covers a period that has ended, use past simple: 'rose', 'fell', 'remained'

✕

Switching tenses randomly mid-paragraph

Why it's wrong

Destroys coherence and signals lack of tense control

How to fix it

Decide the tense once in the introduction and maintain it consistently throughout

✕

Using 'will' for process diagrams

Why it's wrong

Processes are general truths, not future events

How to fix it

Use present simple passive: 'is filtered', 'is heated', 'is transported'

✎ In Practice

2 examples

Context

Line graph: UK electricity consumption 2000–2020

✕

Weak

Between 2000 and 2010, consumption rises steadily from 320 to 410 terawatt-hours.

✓

Strong

Between 2000 and 2010, consumption rose steadily from 320 to 410 terawatt-hours.

NoteCompleted historical period → past simple throughout

Context

Process: How solar panels generate electricity

✕

Weak

Sunlight struck the photovoltaic cells, which converted it into direct current.

✓

Strong

Sunlight strikes the photovoltaic cells, which convert it into direct current (DC) electricity.

NoteGeneral scientific process → present simple (active or passive)