‘With a view to + gerund’ is a sophisticated grammatical structure that can significantly enhance your IELTS score when used correctly. This phrase is commonly used to express purpose or intention, making it particularly valuable in academic and formal writing. Let’s delve into its usage and explore how you can incorporate it effectively in your IELTS exam.
Understanding ‘With a View to + Gerund’
The structure ‘with a view to + gerund’ is used to indicate that an action is being taken with a specific purpose or goal in mind. It’s equivalent to saying ‘in order to’ or ‘for the purpose of’, but it’s considered more formal and thus more suitable for academic writing or speaking.
Here are some examples to illustrate its usage:
- The government has implemented new policies with a view to reducing unemployment.
- The company is investing in new technology with a view to increasing productivity.
- Students often participate in extracurricular activities with a view to enhancing their college applications.
- The city council is renovating the old theater with a view to attracting more tourists.
- Many people learn a second language with a view to improving their career prospects.
In each of these sentences, the gerund (reducing, increasing, enhancing, attracting, improving) follows ‘with a view to’, indicating the purpose of the action described in the main clause.
With a view to concept
Grammar and Usage in IELTS
Formula and Grammatical Structure
The formula for this structure is:
[Subject + Verb] + with a view to + [gerund] + [object/complement]
It’s important to note that the gerund (verb + -ing) always follows ‘with a view to’. This structure is particularly useful in IELTS Writing Task 2 and Speaking Part 3, where you’re expected to discuss complex ideas and express purposes or intentions.
Application in IELTS Writing
In IELTS Writing, especially Task 2, using ‘with a view to + gerund’ can demonstrate your command of advanced grammatical structures. Here’s an example of how you might use it in an essay:
Essay Topic: Discuss the reasons why some people choose to live in the countryside rather than in cities.
Sample paragraph:
Many individuals opt for rural living with a view to escaping the hustle and bustle of city life. They relocate to the countryside with a view to enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle and closer connection to nature. Furthermore, some families make this choice with a view to providing their children with a safer environment to grow up in. While urban areas offer numerous amenities, the countryside attracts those who prioritize tranquility and open spaces, with a view to improving their overall quality of life.
In this paragraph, the structure is used multiple times to express different purposes, showcasing a sophisticated level of English that could contribute to a higher band score.
Utilization in IELTS Speaking
For the Speaking test, particularly in Part 3 where you’re asked to discuss more abstract topics, ‘with a view to + gerund’ can be employed to articulate complex ideas clearly. Here’s an example:
Question: Why do you think some companies invest in employee training programs?
Sample answer:
Well, I believe companies invest in employee training programs with a view to enhancing their workforce’s skills and productivity. By offering these opportunities, they’re with a view to creating a more competent and versatile team. Additionally, such initiatives are often implemented with a view to improving employee satisfaction and retention rates. In the long run, these programs can be seen as strategic investments, with a view to boosting the company’s overall performance and competitiveness in the market.
Using this structure in your speaking can demonstrate a high level of language proficiency, potentially leading to a higher band score in the grammatical range criterion.
Strategies for High Scores
To achieve a higher band score in IELTS, it’s crucial to use a variety of grammatical structures accurately. Here’s how you can effectively incorporate ‘with a view to + gerund’ to aim for different band scores:
For Band 6: Use the structure correctly at least once in your writing or speaking.
Example: “The government is building more schools with a view to improving education standards.”For Band 7: Use the structure multiple times and combine it with other complex structures.
Example: “While the government is building more schools with a view to improving education standards, it is also increasing teacher salaries with a view to attracting more qualified educators to the profession.”For Band 8-9: Use the structure flexibly, combining it with a wide range of advanced vocabulary and other complex grammatical patterns.
Example: “The government’s multifaceted approach to education reform, which includes building more schools with a view to improving accessibility and increasing teacher salaries with a view to attracting top talent, demonstrates a comprehensive strategy aimed at elevating the nation’s educational standards.”
Remember, while using this structure can enhance your score, it’s equally important to use it naturally and in context. Overusing any single structure can make your language sound repetitive and unnatural.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When using ‘with a view to + gerund’, IELTS candidates often make the following mistakes:
Using an infinitive instead of a gerund:
Incorrect: The company hired new staff with a view to to increase productivity.
Correct: The company hired new staff with a view to increasing productivity.Omitting ‘to’:
Incorrect: They implemented new policies with a view improving customer satisfaction.
Correct: They implemented new policies with a view to improving customer satisfaction.Using it with a noun instead of a gerund:
Incorrect: She’s taking extra classes with a view to good grades.
Correct: She’s taking extra classes with a view to achieving good grades.Overusing the structure, making the language sound unnatural:
Avoid using ‘with a view to’ multiple times in close succession. Instead, vary your language with synonymous expressions like ‘in order to’, ‘for the purpose of’, or ‘with the aim of’.Using it in informal contexts:
Remember that ‘with a view to’ is formal. In informal situations, simpler alternatives like ‘to’ or ‘so that’ are more appropriate.
By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can ensure that your use of ‘with a view to + gerund’ enhances rather than detracts from your IELTS performance.
Conclusion
Mastering the ‘with a view to + gerund’ structure can significantly enhance your IELTS performance, particularly in Writing Task 2 and Speaking Part 3. It allows you to express purpose and intention in a sophisticated manner, demonstrating a high level of grammatical proficiency. Remember to use it naturally, combine it with other complex structures, and practice extensively to incorporate it seamlessly into your language use. With these strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle a wide range of IELTS topics that require discussing purposes, goals, and intentions.
To further enhance your IELTS preparation, you might also want to explore other advanced grammatical structures. For instance, you could look into gerund clauses with ‘on’ or phrases like ‘be renowned for + noun/gerund’, which can add variety and sophistication to your language use. Remember, the key to success in IELTS is not just knowing these structures, but being able to use them accurately and appropriately in context.