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Free IELTS Practice Tests | Target Band Score Achievement

Common IELTS Grammar Errors

Learn to identify and correct the most frequent grammar mistakes that can lower your IELTS band score. Awareness and practice are key to achieving accuracy.

Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

Error Type 1: Singular/Plural Confusion

L Incorrect: "The number of students have increased."
 Correct: "The number of students has increased."

Rule: 'The number of' takes singular verb
Error Type 2: Compound Subjects

L Incorrect: "Education and healthcare needs more funding."
 Correct: "Education and healthcare need more funding."

Rule: Subjects joined by 'and' take plural verb

Tense Errors

Present Perfect vs Past Simple

L Incorrect: "I have visited London last year."
 Correct: "I visited London last year."

Rule: Use past simple with specific past time
Future in Time Clauses

L Incorrect: "When I will finish, I will call you."
 Correct: "When I finish, I will call you."

Rule: No future tense in time clauses

Article Errors

Unnecessary Articles

L Incorrect: "The education is important for the society."
 Correct: "Education is important for society."

Rule: No article with general abstract nouns
Missing Articles

L Incorrect: "Government should take action."
 Correct: "The government should take action."

Rule: Use 'the' with specific institutions

Word Order Errors

Adverb Placement

L Incorrect: "I go always to school by bus."
 Correct: "I always go to school by bus."

Question Formation

L Incorrect: "How we can solve this problem?"
 Correct: "How can we solve this problem?"

Error Correction Practice

Find and correct the errors in these sentences:

  1. The technology have changed the way people communicate with each others.
  2. If I will have time tomorrow, I will visit the museum.
  3. The number of people who studies abroad are increasing every year.
  4. I have seen this movie yesterday and it was very interesting.
  5. The government should to invest more money in the education.
Corrections:
1. Technology has changed the way people communicate with each other.
2. If I have time tomorrow, I will visit the museum.
3. The number of people who study abroad is increasing every year.
4. I saw this movie yesterday and it was very interesting.
5. The government should invest more money in education.

Self-Correction Strategies

During Writing

  • Check subject-verb agreement after each sentence
  • Verify tense consistency within paragraphs
  • Double-check article usage with nouns
  • Ensure proper word order in complex sentences

During Review

  • Read sentences aloud to detect errors
  • Focus on your common mistake patterns
  • Check one grammar point at a time
  • Use remaining time for final grammar check
Grammar Exercises Punctuation Rules