IELTS Grammar Mistakes You Must Avoid
Preparing for the IELTS exam can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to grammar. Many learners already know plenty of English words, but small grammar errors can reduce their score. In fact, grammar is a key part of the IELTS Band Descriptors and can be the difference between Band 6 and Band 7.
This guide is for adult English learners (B1–C1 level) who want to improve their IELTS performance and avoid the most frequent grammar errors. You’ll learn:
- The top common grammar mistakes in IELTS
- Why these errors lower your score
- Practical tips and examples to fix them
- How to practise grammar effectively for Band 7+
Why Grammar Matters in IELTS
In the IELTS test, grammar affects two main areas:
- IELTS Writing: Examiners look at Grammatical Range and Accuracy. They check if you can use simple and complex structures correctly.
- IELTS Speaking: You are scored on how accurately and naturally you use grammar while speaking. Mistakes reduce clarity and fluency.
👉 Even a strong answer with good vocabulary can lose marks if grammar is weak. That’s why practising grammar rules for IELTS is just as important as learning new words.
1. Verb Tense Confusion
Mistake Example:
❌ Yesterday I go to the library to study.
Corrected:
✅ Yesterday I went to the library to study.
Learners often mix up past, present, and future tenses. In IELTS Writing Task 1, describing graphs and trends requires consistent tense (e.g., past simple vs present perfect).
Fix:
- Review the difference between Present Perfect and Past Simple.
- When talking about trends, use past simple if the data has finished:
“In 2010, sales increased by 20%.” - Use present perfect if the trend continues:
“Sales have increased over the last decade.”
2. Subject–Verb Agreement Errors
Mistake Example:
❌ The number of students are increasing.
Corrected:
✅ The number of students is increasing.
In IELTS essays, candidates often confuse plural and singular forms.
Fix:
- Remember: “The number of…” = singular.
- “A number of…” = plural.
- The number of visitors is rising.
- A number of visitors are unhappy with the service.
3. Article Misuse (a, an, the)
Mistake Example:
❌ I bought book yesterday.
❌ Pollution is a serious problem in a world.
Corrected:
✅ I bought a book yesterday.
✅ Pollution is a serious problem in the world.
Articles are a classic weakness for learners from countries like Taiwan, China, and Japan because their languages often don’t use articles.
Fix:
- Use “a/an” for first mention or general items.
- Use “the” for specific, known, or unique items.
- In IELTS Writing Task 2, avoid saying “the people” unless you mean a specific group. Write “people” instead.
👉 See our full guide on Articles in English for practice.
4. Overusing Simple Sentences
Mistake Example:
❌ People like technology. It is helpful. It makes life easier.
Corrected:
✅ People like technology because it is helpful and makes life easier.
IELTS examiners want to see complex sentences. Using only short, simple ones can hold you at Band 6.
Fix:
- Practise using because, although, while, which, who, that.
- Add variety: “Although technology is convenient, it can also be addictive.”
- Aim for a balance: 50% simple, 50% complex.
5. Preposition Problems
Mistake Example:
❌ I am good in English.
❌ We discussed about the issue.
Corrected:
✅ I am good at English.
✅ We discussed the issue.
Prepositions are tricky because they often don’t translate directly from Chinese or other languages.
Fix:
- Learn collocations: interested in, depend on, responsible for.
- Watch out for extra words (no about after discuss).
6. Wrong Word Order
Mistake Example:
❌ Always I watch TV before bed.
Corrected:
✅ I always watch TV before bed.
In IELTS Speaking, incorrect word order makes you sound less fluent.
Fix:
- Adverbs of frequency (always, often, never) go before the main verb but after “be”:
- I always study in the evening.
- She is never late.
7. Misusing Conditionals
Mistake Example:
❌ If I will study hard, I pass the test.
Corrected:
✅ If I study hard, I will pass the test.
Conditional sentences are essential for IELTS Writing Task 2 (giving opinions and predictions).
Fix:
- Zero conditional: facts → If water reaches 100°C, it boils.
- First conditional: real future → If I study, I will pass.
- Second conditional: hypothetical → If I had more time, I would travel.
8. Confusing Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Mistake Example:
❌ There are many informations about IELTS online.
Corrected:
✅ There is a lot of information about IELTS online.
Fix:
- Common uncountables: advice, information, furniture, traffic, homework.
- Use: much / a lot of information (not informations).
9. Using Informal Language in Writing
Mistake Example:
❌ Lots of kids don’t wanna study these days.
Corrected:
✅ Many children are unwilling to study these days.
IELTS Academic Writing requires formal style. Using slang (wanna, gonna, kids) lowers your score.
Fix:
- Replace informal with academic:
- kids → children
- a lot of → many / numerous
- wanna → want to
10. Repetition Instead of Range
Mistake Example:
❌ The chart shows a big increase. This increase is very big.
Corrected:
✅ The chart shows a significant rise. This growth is substantial.
Repetition shows limited vocabulary and grammar range.
Fix:
- Use synonyms and paraphrasing.
- Practise with our IELTS Vocabulary Flashcards to expand your word bank.
FAQs About IELTS Grammar
Q1. How important is grammar in IELTS Speaking?
Very important — grammar accuracy and range count for 25% of your Speaking score.
Q2. What is the difference between Band 6 and Band 7 grammar?
Band 6: frequent errors and limited variety.
Band 7: mostly accurate, with a range of complex structures.
Q3. How can I practise grammar for IELTS?
Do targeted gap-fill exercises, rewrite your own sentences, and record yourself speaking with varied grammar.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Memorising “model essays” → Examiners notice unnatural grammar.
- Using too many long sentences without control → Leads to errors.
- Ignoring punctuation → Run-on sentences confuse meaning.
Conclusion
Grammar can feel like a small detail, but in IELTS it makes a huge difference. By avoiding these common grammar mistakes in IELTS and practising consistently, you can raise your band score significantly.
👉 Next step: Download our free IELTS Grammar Detective Worksheet to practise with real examples and gap-fill activities.
