Grammar: Comparison & Modality

Why This Matters (কেন গুরুত্বপূর্ণ)

Describe Image is impossible to answer well without comparative language, since every chart or graph exists specifically to show how categories differ. Write Essay, meanwhile, rewards modal verbs used for hedging ("may," "could," "is likely to") over absolute claims, since academic writing rarely states anything as one hundred percent certain.

Describe Image-এ তুলনামূলক ভাষা ছাড়া ভালো উত্তর দেওয়া অসম্ভব। Write Essay-তে একাডেমিক লেখা প্রায়ই hedging শব্দ ("may," "could") ব্যবহার করে, সম্পূর্ণ নিশ্চিত দাবির বদলে।

See the fuller IELTS Comparison & Modality guide for complete rules.

Comparatives & Superlatives (তুলনা ও Superlative)

Choose the correct comparative form based on adjective length, and remember superlatives always require "the."

ERROR"Ownership among 18-24 year olds is more high than any other group."
FIX"Ownership among 18-24 year olds is higher than any other group." (এক-সিলেবল বিশেষণে "-er", "more" নয়।)
ERROR"This is most significant trend in the chart."
FIX"This is the most significant trend in the chart." (Superlative-এর আগে সবসময় "the"।)
USEFUL PATTERN"Group A owns smartphones at nearly twice the rate of Group D." — precise numerical comparison language.

Modal Verbs & Hedging Language (Modal ও Hedging)

Overconfident claims without evidence weaken an essay's Development score — modal verbs let you make a claim while acknowledging its uncertainty.

TOO ABSOLUTE"Remote work will definitely replace all office jobs within a decade."
HEDGED"Remote work may replace a significant proportion of office jobs within a decade." — more academically defensible.
DEGREE OF CERTAINTY (strong → weak)"must / will" → "should / is likely to" → "may / might / could" → "may possibly."

Your Turn (অনুশীলন করুন)

Fix the comparison or modality error in each sentence, then reveal the correction.

1 "Solar power is more cheap than it was a decade ago."
Show the correction

"Solar power is cheaper than it was a decade ago."

2 "This is more interesting chart of the three."
Show the correction

"This is the most interesting chart of the three." — three or more items require a superlative, not a comparative.

3 "Artificial intelligence will completely replace human doctors within five years."
Show the correction

"Artificial intelligence may take on a larger role in medicine within five years." — hedged, more defensible claim.

4 "Group B's figure is significantly more low than Group A's."
Show the correction

"Group B's figure is significantly lower than Group A's."