B2 Grammar for IELTS: Topics, Rules, Examples

Below are the list of Grammar topics for IELTS, which one needs to cover for B2 level of english proficiency. 

• Past Perfect Tense
• Second Conditional
• Infinitives
• Modal Verbs of Deduction
• Mixed Conditionals

Definition: The past perfect tense is used to indicate that an action was completed before another action in the past. 

Rules: Subject + had + past participle + the rest of the sentence 

Examples:

• By the time she arrived, he had already left.
• I had finished my homework before dinner.

The second conditional use past simple after if, then "would" + base verb.

Structure:
if + past simple, ...would + infinitive
(You can use "were" not "was" with I, he, she, it. Mostly for formal writing.)

It have two main use.

First, we talk about things in future that probably not happen. Maybe just dream.

1. If I won lottery, I would buy big house. (I probably no win lottery)
2. If I met Queen of England, I would say hello.

Second, we use it for imaginary things in present. Not real now but we imagine it.

1. If I were rich, I would travel all countries.
2. If she had more free time, she would learn painting.

You see, second conditional help talk about dream things or not real things. It’s useful for IELTS writing and speaking.

Infinitives are base form of verbs. Many time we put to before them. noun, adjective, or adverb can be Infinitives.

Rule: Put to before base verb to make Infinitives.

Examples:

1. To learn new language is fun.
2. She has many work to do.

Definition: Modal verbs like must, might, could, can't show how sure you are about things now or past.

Rule: Modal verb + base verb.

Examples:

1. She must be at work, her car is not there.
2. He can't be at home, he gone one hour ago.
3. They might come later, I am not sure.
4. You could try it, maybe it works.

Definition: Mixed conditionals combine elements from different conditional forms to express situations where the time in the "if" clause is different from the time in the main clause.

• Rule Structure 1 (past condition affecting present): If + past perfect, would + base form
• Rule Structure 2 (present condition affecting past): If + past simple, would have + past participle

Examples:

• If I had studied harder (past), I would be successful now (present).
• If she were more organized (present), she wouldn't have missed her flight (past).