AVOIDING COMMON GRAMMAR MISTAKES
Grammar plays a crucial role in the IELTS exam, especially in the Writing and Speaking sections. Even if your ideas are great, frequent grammar mistakes can reduce your overall band score. Understanding and avoiding common grammar errors can help you communicate your thoughts clearly and confidently. Here are some important tips and strategies to improve your grammar for the IELTS exam.
1. Understand the Common Grammar Mistakes
First, it is essential to know the typical grammar errors IELTS candidates make:
– Subject-verb agreement errors (e.g., He go instead of He goes)
– Incorrect verb tenses (e.g., mixing past and present unnecessarily)
– Run-on sentences and comma splices
– Sentence fragments (incomplete sentences)
– Misuse of articles (a, an, the)
– Confusing prepositions (in, on, at, etc.)
– Incorrect word order
– Overusing passive voice or incorrect use
– Wrong plural forms or countable/uncountable noun confusion
Being aware of these common mistakes will help you focus on avoiding them during the exam.
AVOIDING COMMON GRAMMAR MISTAKES
2. Master Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number (singular/plural).
– Use singular verbs with singular subjects: She writes daily.
– Use plural verbs with plural subjects: They write daily.
Tip: Pay attention to tricky subjects like collective nouns (team, group), indefinite pronouns (everyone, nobody), and compound subjects joined by ‘and’ or ‘or’.
3. Use Correct Verb Tenses Consistently
IELTS tasks often require describing processes, events, or opinions. Use tenses correctly:
– For completed actions in the past, use past simple: The population increased.
– For ongoing actions, use present continuous: More people are using smartphones.
– For general truths, use present simple: Water boils at 100°C.
Avoid mixing tenses in the same sentence unless logically needed.
4. Avoid Run-on Sentences and Sentence Fragments
A run-on sentence occurs when two independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions.
Incorrect: I studied hard I passed the test.
Correct: I studied hard, and I passed the test.
A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence missing a subject or verb.
Incorrect: Because I was tired.
Correct: I went to bed early because I was tired.
Tip: Read your sentences aloud to check if they make sense on their own.
AVOIDING COMMON GRAMMAR MISTAKES
5. Use Articles (a, an, the) Correctly
Articles can be tricky for many learners:
– Use a/an for general, non-specific items: I saw a cat.
– Use the for specific items already mentioned or known: The cat was black.
– No article with plural or uncountable nouns when talking generally: Dogs are friendly.
Practice common phrases with articles to get a natural feel.
6. Use Prepositions Accurately
Prepositions often cause errors since they don’t always translate directly from other languages.
Examples:
– Interested in (correct), not interested on.
– Good at (correct), not good in.
Tip: Learn common preposition phrases and collocations for topics like education, work, environment, etc.
AVOIDING COMMON GRAMMAR MISTAKES
7. Maintain Proper Word Order
English typically follows Subject + Verb + Object order.
Incorrect: Quickly she runs.
Correct: She runs quickly.
Adverbs usually come after the verb or at the end of the sentence unless they modify the verb directly.
8. Use Passive Voice Appropriately
Passive voice is useful but don’t overuse it or use it incorrectly.
Example passive sentence: The report was written by the student.
Avoid awkward passive constructions or using passive when active voice is clearer.
9. Pay Attention to Plurals and Countability
Know which nouns are countable or uncountable to use articles and quantifiers properly.
– Countable: two books, many students
– Uncountable: some water, much information
Mistakes here often affect article use and verb agreement.
AVOIDING COMMON GRAMMAR MISTAKES
10. Practice Regularly and Proofread
– Practice writing essays and speaking aloud.
– Record yourself and listen to spot grammar mistakes.
– Use grammar checking tools or ask teachers to correct your work.
– Always proofread your writing during the exam to catch small errors.
Final Tip
Grammar improvement takes time, so start early and be consistent. Focus on accuracy rather than complicated structures. Use simple sentences correctly before attempting complex ones. During the exam, write carefully and speak clearly to avoid mistakes.
By avoiding these common grammar pitfalls and following the tips above, you can increase your confidence and achieve a higher band score in your IELTS exam.
AVOIDING COMMON GRAMMAR MISTAKES
