IELTS Energy 1639: How Can the Subjunctive Boost Your IELTS Grammar Scores?

What score would you get if you were to take IELTS today?

Notice the use of the subjunctive mood in this question.

Today we’ll share a grammar structure that will boost your scores.

This will help not only your grammar score, but also fluency scores.

Show your fluency

Especially on Speaking Part 2, you may have trouble providing enough details.

If you have run out of things to say, there are many strategies that will help!

One is to talk about what could’ve been different.

A way to talk about this is with the subjunctive mood.

Subjunctive mood

A great phrase to use when sharing what could’ve been different is “If I were able to go back, I would _____”

We recently discussed how to do this with unreal conditionals.

You can also use the subjunctive mood.

Grammar breakdown

#1: if I were + infinitive: describes an imagined or unlikely possibility

• If I were to do things differently…

Part 2 question: Describe a favorite teacher

• If I were to go back in time, I’d show more gratitude to my teachers.

#2: If I were + noun/adjective: describes a hypothetical identity, role, or state.

Part 1 question about high school:

• If I were a teenager again, I’d worry less.

Part 1 question about work:

• If I were more confident, I would speak up more in meetings.

Part 2 question: Describe something you wish were different about modern society

• If I were in charge, it would be illegal for kids to have a cell phone before age 16.

Sample Part 1 answer

Lindsay answers the question: Is there anything you would like to change about your hometown?

 Oh, 100%. If I were in charge in my hometown, I’d reverse the recent decision that was made to eliminate competition among scooter providers.

Last year, they got rid of the two companies that were providing scooters and bikes, and if I were in a leadership position, I would bring both of those companies back so there’s more competition.

So in that case, there would be more competition, and I would have more options for how to get home when I’m walking around Denver and I need a scooter.

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Sample Part 2 answer

Aubrey answers the Part 2 question: Describe a time you moved to a new place.

When I finished my bachelor’s degree, I moved to New York City, the Big Apple, and at first it was fantastic.

I had my two young children, but lucky for me, my husband was the stay-at-home dad, and so he had to deal with all of the difficulties of having toddlers in the city.

I had it easy. I was going to school, completing my master’s degree, and I was teaching in the Bronx, which sounds difficult, but compared to taking care of a brand-new baby and a two-year-old, it was a piece of cake, walk in the park.

But for him, it was really a struggle. So if I were to go back in time, I’d help him more.

I don’t remember cooking much. I don’t remember doing laundry hardly ever.

I think I was busy studying, I was busy preparing lessons, and I really left it to him to do everything else.

Now I’m home and I really appreciate how much he pitches in. He’s still helping with cooking and laundry, and we really share a lot of those responsibilities equally.

I think back to when we lived in New York, and I’m like, “Oh man, I think I really took advantage of being the one working full time. Like, oh, I’m too tired, I don’t have time to help with the housework with all of these responsibilities.”

If I were to go back, if I were to live in New York again, I would do that differently.

Answer our Spotify poll!

Be sure to answer the Spotify poll for this episode.

You can open Spotify and share your answer whether you listen to podcasts on Spotify or somewhere else.

Poll: If you were able to go back in time, which would you do?

• travel more
• start studying English earlier
• try to make more money
• I would change nothing

Takeaway

This strategy is especially useful for Part 2 answers when you have to fill 2 minutes.

If you run out of things to say, you can always share what you wish were different.

Great for adding more details when asked about the past.

After you’ve explained what actually happened, share what you would do differently if you could go back in time

For another way to share what you would do differently, check out Improve IELTS Grammar: How to Use the Conditionals.

What questions do you have from today’s episode?

Please leave a comment below.