IELTS Grammar Problem: How to Fix Common Errors

Quick Answer: The most common IELTS grammar problems include incorrect tense usage, missing articles, wrong prepositions, subject-verb agreement errors, and run-on sentences. Fix them by practicing with timed writing, learning collocations, and proofreading for specific error types. Targeted practice can improve your grammar score by 1–2 bands.

Table of Contents

Why Grammar Matters in IELTS

Top 5 IELTS Grammar Problems

How to Fix Each Error

Band Score Comparison Table

Why Grammar Matters in IELTS

Grammar accounts for 25% of your Writing and Speaking scores. Even if your ideas are brilliant, frequent errors can cap your band at 6.0 or 6.5. Examiners look for:

Accuracy: Fewer mistakes = higher score.

Range: Using simple and complex structures.

Control: Correct use of tenses, articles, and prepositions.

Many test-takers struggle with the same patterns. Recognizing these "IELTS grammar problems" is the first step to fixing them.

Top 5 IELTS Grammar Problems

1. Tense Confusion

Problem: Mixing past, present, and future incorrectly. Example: "Last year, I go to London." Why it happens: Learners often default to simple present or past without considering context.

2. Missing or Wrong Articles

Problem: Omitting "a," "an," or "the" or using them incorrectly. Example: "I went to university" (correct) vs. "I went to the university" (specific). Why it happens: Many languages don't use articles, or use them differently.

3. Preposition Errors

Problem: Using the wrong preposition with verbs, adjectives, or nouns. Example: "I am interested on history" (should be "in"). Why it happens: Prepositions are idiomatic and often memorized incorrectly.

4. Subject-Verb Agreement

Problem: Singular/plural mismatch. Example: "The team are winning" (British English allows this, but in IELTS, consistency is key). Why it happens: Learners forget to match the verb to the subject's number.

5. Run-on Sentences and Fragments

Problem: Connecting two independent clauses without punctuation or conjunctions. Example: "I went to the store I bought milk" (missing "and"). Why it happens: Overuse of commas or lack of sentence structure awareness.

How to Fix Each Error

Fix Tense Confusion

Practice timelines: Draw a timeline for each tense (e.g., past simple for completed actions, present perfect for experiences).

Use signal words: "Yesterday" = past simple; "Since" = present perfect.

Write 3 sentences daily using a different tense.

Fix Article Errors

Learn rules: "A/an" for non-specific countable nouns; "The" for specific or known nouns.

Create a checklist: Before submitting, check every noun for an article.

Read IELTS model answers and highlight articles.

Fix Preposition Errors

Learn collocations: "Interested in," "good at," "responsible for."

Use flashcards for common verb + preposition pairs.

Practice with gap-fill exercises online.

Fix Subject-Verb Agreement

Identify the subject: Ignore prepositional phrases (e.g., "The group of students is...").

Practice with indefinite pronouns: "Everyone is," "Nobody knows."

Write sentences with collective nouns (e.g., "The committee has decided").

Fix Run-on Sentences

Use connectors: "and," "but," "so," "because."

Add punctuation: Periods, semicolons, or commas with conjunctions.

Read aloud: If you run out of breath, the sentence is too long.

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	Frequent errors that cause some difficulty for the reader. Uses simple structures correctly but complex ones are often wrong.
7	Occasional errors but meaning is clear. Uses a mix of simple and complex structures with good control.
8	Very few errors. Uses a wide range of structures flexibly and accurately.
9	Virtually no errors. Full flexibility and precision.

Sample Answers

Band 7: "Last year, I went to London for a holiday. It was very exciting because I saw many famous places like the Big Ben. I think traveling is important for learning new cultures." Errors: "the Big Ben" should be "Big Ben" (no article). Band 8: "Last year, I traveled to London for a holiday. It was an exciting experience because I visited famous landmarks such as Big Ben and the Tower of London. In my opinion, traveling is essential for understanding different cultures." Minor error: "an exciting" is correct; no article before "Big Ben." Band 9: "Last year, I embarked on a trip to London for a holiday. The experience was immensely rewarding, as I explored iconic landmarks including Big Ben and the Tower of London. I firmly believe that travel plays a pivotal role in fostering cross-cultural understanding." No errors. Uses sophisticated vocabulary and structures.

Common Mistakes

❌Using "will" for future plans: "I will go to university next year" (correct for decisions) vs. "I am going to university next year" (more natural for plans). Why: Overusing "will" sounds unnatural.

❌Forgetting "the" with superlatives: "She is best student" should be "the best student." Why: Superlatives always require "the."

❌Mixing "since" and "for": "I have lived here since two years" should be "for two years." Why: "Since" is for a point in time; "for" is for duration.

Top Tips

Tip 1: Keep a grammar journal. Write down every error you make in practice tests and correct it.

Tip 2: Use the "5-minute proofread" rule. After writing, spend 5 minutes checking only grammar.

Tip 3: Listen to English news or podcasts and write down sentences with complex grammar. Imitate them.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. Their grammar-focused exercises can help you target weak areas.

FAQ

Q: How much does grammar affect my IELTS score? A: Grammar is 25% of Writing and Speaking. Even a few errors can drop you from Band 7 to Band 6. Q: Can I get Band 8 if I make some grammar mistakes? A: Yes, but they must be rare and not affect clarity. Aim for 95% accuracy. Q: What's the hardest grammar topic for IELTS? A: Articles and prepositions are notoriously difficult because they are idiomatic. Many advanced learners still struggle. Q: Should I use complex grammar to get a high score? A: Yes, but only if you can use it correctly. A simple sentence with no errors is better than a complex one with mistakes.

Key Takeaways

✅Identify your personal "IELTS grammar problems" through practice tests.

✅Focus on articles, tenses, prepositions, agreement, and sentence structure.

✅Use the band comparison table to self-assess.

✅Practice daily with targeted exercises.

Related Posts:

How to Improve Your IELTS Writing Score in 7 Days

Top 10 Vocabulary Mistakes in IELTS