Two marks for sentences that are correct, one for errors that do not get in the way of meaning, zero for errors that could. A correct simple sentence beats a broken complex one.
Glossary term
Grammar
Grammar is the writing trait that scores the grammatical correctness of a response on a 0–2 scale: subject and verb agreement, tense, articles, word order and sentence construction. It is scored on every writing task in both tests, and its descriptors reward control rather than complexity.
Not shown separately on the official score report; it feeds the Writing score of each writing task. In EdKnot practice it appears as a trait bar with the descriptor band on every scored writing response.
What the descriptors ask for
On the summary tasks the scale is about damage to meaning. A 2 has correct structure; a 1 has errors that do not hinder communication; a 0 has structure so defective that communication could be hindered. That last word matters: a missing article is a 1, a sentence with no identifiable main verb is a 0.
Write Essay raises the bar. A 2 requires “consistent grammatical control of complex language” with errors “rare and difficult to spot”; a 1 is “a relatively high degree of grammatical control” with no mistakes that lead to misunderstanding; a 0 is “mainly simple structures and/or several basic mistakes”. So on the essay, staying simple caps you at 1, but attempting complexity you cannot control drops you to 0.
Where the marks are lost
Long sentences. The single-sentence rule on Summarize Written Text pushes writers into 50-word constructions with relative clauses, and that is where agreement breaks and comma splices appear. Build from one main clause and attach the others with connectors you use confidently: which, because, while, although.
On the essay, mix lengths. One complex sentence per paragraph that you are sure of, the rest clear and medium-length, satisfies the “complex language” descriptor without exposing you. Then read every sentence for a subject and a verb that agree, in the last two minutes, after spelling.
The numbers that matter
| Scale | 0–2 on every writing task |
|---|---|
| Summaries and Write Email: 2 | Correct grammatical structure (Email: generally consistent control, occasional errors) |
| Summaries: 1 | Grammatical errors but with no hindrance to communication |
| Summaries: 0 | Defective grammatical structure which could hinder communication |
| Write Essay: 2 | Consistent grammatical control of complex language; errors rare and difficult to spot |
Worked example
“The ISS, which is a station in orbit and it has been inhabited since 2000 and five agencies is collaborating on it.” One sentence, but “it has” after “which is” breaks the clause, and “agencies is” fails agreement. Grammar 0. “The ISS, a station in low Earth orbit inhabited continuously since 2000, is a collaboration between five space agencies.” Grammar 2, and eight words shorter.
What it shows: Removing the clause you cannot control is a grammar strategy, not a compromise.
Frequently asked questions
Is grammar scored on PTE speaking tasks?
Not as a trait. Speaking tasks score Content, Oral fluency and Pronunciation. Grammar affects speaking only indirectly, through Content descriptors that mention “a variety of expressions used appropriately”.
Do I need complex sentences to score well on grammar?
On the summaries, no: correct structure earns the full 2 regardless of complexity. On Write Essay, the 2 descriptor requires control of complex language, so one or two well-controlled complex sentences per paragraph are needed, with the rest kept clear.
Which is worse, a grammar error or a spelling error?
On the Academic writing tasks a single spelling error already drops Spelling from 2 to 1, whereas a single grammar error that does not hinder meaning also drops Grammar to 1. Both cost the same; spelling is simply easier to check.
More PTE terms
AI ScoringAppropriacyCEFRCLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks)Communicative SkillsCompetent, Proficient and Superior EnglishConcordance (PTE to IELTS)ContentDevelopment, Structure and CoherenceEmail ConventionsEnhanced PTE Academic (August 2025)Erasable NoteboardExpress EntryGSE (Global Scale of English)Human ReviewIntegrated TaskMock TestmyPTENegative MarkingOne Skill RetakeOral FluencyOverall ScorePartial CreditPersonal IntroductionPronunciationPTE CorePTE HomeReschedule and Cancellation PolicyRescoreScore BandScore Report CodeScore ValiditySELT (Secure English Language Test)Sending ScoresShared Clock (Reading and Listening)Skills ProfileThree-Second Silence RuleUKVIURN (Unique Reference Number)