The IELTS Writing Task 2 is an important component of the exam, demanding not only coherent arguments but also accurate grammar. Grammar for IELTS Task 2 plays a crucial role in achieving a high score so it is important you improve your writing skills for IELTS. Here’s a guide on common IELTS grammar mistakes and some tips on how to fix them:
Subject-Verb Agreement
One very common mistake involves uncertainty in subject-verb agreement. Quite often verbs are not written in the correct form and do not match the subject that they are linked to.
Example 1: The mistake here is that the learner thinks that because they have the word ecosystems, they should use the plural form of verb to be “are”, but actually the subject of the sentence is “the impact” which is singular so the sentence requires “is” to be used.
Incorrect: The impact of climate change on ecosystems are severe.
Correct: The impact of climate change on ecosystems is severe.
Example 2: The next mistake again comes from not noticing what the subject of the sentence is and not changing the verb to match it. You will have heard of third person ‘s’ which is used when the subject is ‘he’, ‘she’ or ‘it’
Incorrect: Technology which focus on communication can help people stay connected.
Correct: Technology which focuses on communication can help people stay connected.
Verb Tense Choices
Tenses play a pivotal role in conveying accurate meaning, yet candidates find it difficult to maintain accuracy in this aspect of their IELTS writing. In fact, most often the correct tense choice in Task 2 is present simple as we are often conveying facts or general trends.
Example 1: When providing a general explanation for something that often takes place, we need to use the present simple tense rather than the past.
Incorrect: In general, schools provided their students with the skills they need for life.
Correct: In general, schools provide their students with the skills they need for life.
Example 2: It is often a good idea to begin an essay with some context, and one way candidates often do this is starting the essay with “In recent times”. When we use this, its meaning relates to the past but it is also connected to the present, so the use of present perfect is often required.
Incorrect: In recent times, the employment market changes quite dramatically.
Correct: In recent times, the employment market has changed quite dramatically.
Word Form Problems
Misusing or choosing the wrong form of a word can affect the overall quality of writing. There are a variety of types including using verbs when actually needing adjectives, but most common of all is mixing up -ing forms of words and verb 1.
Example 1: When giving the adjective, you often need to decide whether to use the -ed or -ing form but in the example below, no change is made at all and the verb form is incorrectly used instead.
Incorrect: The explanations often provided by those that disagree are often confuse.
Correct: The explanations often provided by those that disagree are often confusing.
Example 2: When using certain words and phrases, we need to pay attention to whether they are followed by verb 1 or -ing forms. In the case of ‘look forward to’ we actually use the -ing form.
Incorrect: For example, students often look forward to finish school and get an income.
Correct: For example, students often look forward to finishing school and getting an income.
The grammar of writing about things in general
Task 2 often requires candidates to refer to people and ideas in general when putting forward arguments and ideas. This requires a specific type of grammar and approach involving the use of plurals without the use of ‘the’.
Example 1: As the statement refers to universities in general, the use of definite article ‘the’ is incorrect.
Incorrect: The universities should ensure students have a selection of courses to choose from.
Correct: Universities should ensure students have a selection of courses to choose from.
Example 2: The references to qualifications and opportunities below should both in in the plural form and without any use of ‘the’ as they are non-specific.
Incorrect: Having additional qualification increases the range of the possible opportunity.
Correct: Having additional qualifications increases the range of possible opportunities.
The placement of linkers
It is very common for candidates to want to make their writing more cohesive and one simple and effective way of doing this is through the use of linking words. Careful consideration needs to be placed on their position, though, to ensure they follow writing conventions.
Example 1: The use of ‘so’ is typically made between clauses within a sentence in order to show a cause and effect relationship between ideas. However, it is common for writers to incorrectly add “so” at the beginning of a sentence when linkers like “As a result, …” should be used instead.
Incorrect: Trains are expensive and take a long time to build. So roads should be built instead.
Correct: Trains are expensive and take a long time to build. Therefore, roads should be built instead.
Example 2: Some linking words are effective at structuring and organising contrasting ideas. Their positioning depends on whether they contrast ideas within the sentence or across sentences. In the example below because it is within the same sentence, “however” should not be used.
Incorrect: It is common for Asian schools to offer extra classes, however they are unpopular.
Correct: While it is common for Asian schools to offer extra classes, they are unpopular.
Grammar for IELTS is clearly something all candidates have to think about. Looking at grammar mistakes within the IELTS framework more broadly, one of the most important things to do is to understand your own areas of development and gradually improve your own writing skills. You can correct your own writing knowing which kinds of grammar mistakes you make most often and checking specifically for them when editing your writing. In fact, you should reserve 2-3 minutes in the Exam for Writing task 2 for the purposes of editing so that you can notice and correct as many mistakes as possible.
