How to Master the “Advise + Object + to + Infinitive” Structure for IELTS Success?

The “advise + object + to + infinitive” structure is a crucial grammatical pattern that frequently appears in IELTS exams. Mastering this structure can significantly enhance your performance across all sections of the test. Let’s delve into its usage, importance, and how to effectively apply it in your IELTS preparation.

IELTS Grammar Mastery

Understanding the “Advise + Object + to + Infinitive” Structure

The “advise + object + to + infinitive” structure is commonly used to give advice or make recommendations in English. It follows this pattern:

[Advise + Object + to + Base Form of Verb]

This structure is particularly valuable in IELTS as it allows candidates to express suggestions and recommendations clearly and formally. Let’s examine some examples:

1. “I would advise students to practice writing essays regularly.”
2. “The career counselor advised me to consider a range of job options.”
3. “Experts advise travelers to book their accommodations in advance.”
4. “The doctor advised the patient to reduce his sugar intake.”
5. “We advised the company to invest in new technologies.”

In each of these examples, the structure follows the same pattern: the verb “advise” is followed by the object (the person or entity receiving advice), then “to,” and finally the base form of the verb describing the recommended action.

Grammatical Analysis and IELTS Application

1. Significance in IELTS

The “advise + object + to + infinitive” structure is particularly relevant for the IELTS exam due to its formal nature and versatility. It can be effectively used in:

• Writing Task 2 essays, especially when discussing solutions or recommendations
• Speaking Part 3 when giving opinions on societal issues
• Reading comprehension, where understanding advice or recommendations in texts is crucial
• Listening sections, particularly in academic contexts or formal discussions

2. Formula and Grammatical Nuances

The basic formula is:

[Advise + Object + to + Infinitive]

It’s important to note that:

• The object is typically a person or group receiving advice
• The infinitive (to + base verb) describes the recommended action
• This structure is more formal than using “should” or giving direct commands

3. Sample Applications in IELTS Tasks

Writing Task 2 Example:

“To address the issue of urban pollution, I would advise city planners to implement stricter regulations on industrial emissions and to encourage the use of public transportation.”

Here, the structure is used twice to provide clear, formal recommendations in an essay about environmental issues.

Speaking Part 3 Example:

Examiner: “What advice would you give to someone looking to improve their language skills?”

Candidate: “I would advise language learners to immerse themselves in the target language as much as possible. Additionally, I’d advise them to practice speaking with native speakers regularly.”

This response demonstrates a sophisticated use of the structure in a speaking context, showing the candidate’s ability to give well-structured advice.

4. Achieving Higher Band Scores

To achieve higher band scores in IELTS, consider these advanced applications:

• Combine with other complex structures: “Having analyzed the data, I would advise researchers to conduct further studies on this phenomenon.”
• Use in passive voice for added formality: “Companies are often advised to diversify their investment portfolios.”
• Incorporate adverbs for precision: “I would strongly advise candidates to carefully review their essays before submission.”

Compare:

Band 6: “I think people should study hard for IELTS.”
Band 8: “Based on my experience, I would advise IELTS candidates to dedicate sufficient time to systematic preparation and to focus on improving their weakest skills.”

5. Common Errors to Avoid

1. Incorrect verb form after ‘to’:
   Incorrect: “I advise you to studying more.”
   Correct: “I advise you to study more.”

2. Omitting ‘to’:
   Incorrect: “The teacher advised the students prepare well for the exam.”
   Correct: “The teacher advised the students to prepare well for the exam.”

3. Using ‘that’ instead of ‘to’:
   Incorrect: “I advise that you apply for the scholarship.”
   Correct: “I advise you to apply for the scholarship.”

4. Confusing with similar structures:
   Be careful not to confuse this structure with “suggest + that + subject + (should) + base verb”:
   “I suggest that you (should) study more” is correct, but “I suggest you to study more” is incorrect.

Conclusion

Mastering the “advise + object + to + infinitive” structure is a valuable asset for IELTS success. It allows you to express recommendations and advice in a clear, formal manner across all sections of the test. Remember to practice using this structure in various contexts, and be mindful of common errors. By incorporating this structure effectively, you can demonstrate a high level of grammatical proficiency, potentially boosting your IELTS scores.

For further practice, try using this structure in sample essays about education reform, environmental policies, or career development. These topics often require giving advice or recommendations, making them ideal for applying this grammatical pattern.

To enhance your IELTS preparation further, you might also want to explore related grammatical structures such as urge + object + to + infinitive and it’s not worth + gerund, which can complement your use of “advise + object + to + infinitive” in various IELTS tasks.