The structure “Plan To + Infinitive” is a common and useful grammatical construction that frequently appears in IELTS exams. It’s essential for expressing future intentions and is particularly valuable in the Writing and Speaking sections. Let’s dive into how you can master this structure to boost your IELTS score.
Understanding “Plan to + Infinitive”
The “plan to + infinitive” structure is used to express future intentions or planned actions. It consists of the verb “plan” followed by “to” and the base form of another verb (infinitive). This construction is widely used in everyday English and is particularly relevant for IELTS candidates aiming to demonstrate their ability to discuss future plans and intentions.
Examples:
- I plan to study abroad next year.
- The company plans to expand its operations in Asia.
- We plan to implement new strategies to improve customer satisfaction.
- She plans to write a book about her travels.
- They plan to launch the product in the summer.
Grammar and Usage
Formula:
Subject + plan(s) + to + infinitive
The verb “plan” can be conjugated according to the subject and tense:
- I/You/We/They plan to…
- He/She/It plans to…
- I am planning to…
- They were planning to…
Application in IELTS
-
IELTS Writing Task 2:
When discussing future trends or solutions to problems, “plan to + infinitive” can be extremely useful.Example: “Many governments plan to invest in renewable energy sources to combat climate change.”
-
IELTS Speaking Part 2:
When describing future plans or aspirations, this structure is invaluable.Example: “In the next five years, I plan to complete my degree and plan to start my own business.”
-
IELTS Writing Task 1:
While less common in Task 1, it can be used when describing future projections in graphs or charts.Example: “According to the graph, the company plans to increase its workforce by 20% over the next decade.”
Sample Passages and Analysis
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample:
“In response to rising urban pollution levels, many cities plan to implement stricter regulations on vehicle emissions. Some authorities plan to ban private cars from city centers altogether, while others plan to invest in improved public transportation systems. While these measures may cause short-term inconvenience, they plan to achieve significant long-term benefits for urban air quality and public health.”
Analysis: The repeated use of “plan to + infinitive” in this paragraph demonstrates the writer’s ability to discuss future intentions and proposed solutions, which is crucial for achieving a high band score in Task 2.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Sample:
Interviewer: “How do you think education will change in the future?”
Candidate: “I believe education will undergo significant transformations. Many institutions plan to incorporate more technology into their teaching methods. They plan to offer more online courses and virtual reality experiences to enhance learning. Additionally, schools plan to focus more on developing soft skills like critical thinking and creativity, as these are becoming increasingly important in the job market.”
Analysis: The candidate effectively uses “plan to + infinitive” to discuss future trends in education, showcasing their ability to speculate about the future – a key skill for achieving a high band score in IELTS Speaking.
Achieving Higher Band Scores
To achieve higher band scores (7+) in IELTS, it’s crucial to use “plan to + infinitive” accurately and in conjunction with other advanced structures. Here are some tips:
-
Combine with conditionals:
“If the government plans to implement these policies, it will likely face significant opposition.” -
Use with perfect infinitives for completed future actions:
“By 2030, the company plans to have expanded its operations to over 50 countries.” -
Incorporate passive voice:
“New environmental regulations are planned to be introduced by the end of the year.” -
Use in reported speech:
“The minister announced that the government planned to increase funding for renewable energy projects.” -
Combine with modals for speculation:
“Based on current trends, experts believe that more companies may plan to adopt remote work policies permanently.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Incorrect verb form after “to”:
Incorrect: “They plan to studying abroad.”
Correct: “They plan to study abroad.” -
Omitting “to”:
Incorrect: “We plan visit the museum tomorrow.”
Correct: “We plan to visit the museum tomorrow.” -
Using “for” instead of “to”:
Incorrect: “She plans for start a new job next month.”
Correct: “She plans to start a new job next month.” -
Confusing “plan” with “planning”:
Incorrect: “I’m plan to learn a new language.”
Correct: “I’m planning to learn a new language.” or “I plan to learn a new language.” -
Using present continuous unnecessarily:
Incorrect: “The company is planning to launching the product next week.”
Correct: “The company is planning to launch the product next week.” or “The company plans to launch the product next week.”
Conclusion
Mastering the “plan to + infinitive” structure is crucial for IELTS success, particularly in Writing and Speaking tasks. It allows you to express future intentions clearly and discuss plans and projections effectively. Remember to practice using this structure in various contexts and combine it with other advanced grammatical forms to showcase your language proficiency. As you prepare for your IELTS exam, consider incorporating this structure into your responses about personal goals, societal changes, or global trends to demonstrate your ability to discuss future-oriented topics fluently and accurately.
For further practice, try using “plan to + infinitive” in essays about environmental policies, technological advancements, or educational reforms. These topics frequently appear in IELTS exams and provide excellent opportunities to showcase your mastery of this grammatical structure.