As an IELTS teacher with years of experience helping students improve their writing scores, I’ve noticed that many learners struggle with common grammar mistakes in IELTS Writing Task 1. These errors can hold you back from achieving the Band 7 or higher that you’re aiming for. In this blog, I will walk you through the top 10 IELTS task 1 grammar mistakes students frequently make — and more importantly, how to avoid them.
Getting your grammar right in Task 1 isn’t just about correctness; it’s about clarity, precision, and showing your ability to describe data effectively. If you want to strengthen your grammar skills further, check out my detailed guide on IELTS Writing Task 1 Grammar for Band 7–9, and don’t forget to combine your grammar with strong vocabulary from my IELTS Writing Task 1 Vocabulary Complete Guide.
Let’s get started!
Why Avoid Grammar Mistakes in IELTS Writing Task 1?
Grammar is one of the four scoring criteria IELTS examiners use, along with task achievement, coherence and cohesion, and lexical resource. Even if your vocabulary and task response are strong, frequent grammar mistakes can drag your score down.
Making grammar errors can confuse the reader or make your description of trends and data unclear. That’s why it’s crucial to focus on both accuracy and variety in your grammatical structures.
Top 10 IELTS Task 1 Grammar Mistakes and How to Fix Them
1. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
One of the most common mistakes is not matching the verb correctly to the subject, especially when the subject is plural or collective.
Incorrect:
The number of students are increasing every year.
Correct:
The number of students is increasing every year.
Tip:
Identify the real subject (in this case, “number,” which is singular) and make sure the verb agrees with it.
2. Incorrect Tense Usage
Switching tenses inconsistently or using the wrong tense for the data period confuses the timeline.
Incorrect:
The graph shows data from 2000 to 2010 and then increases sharply.
Correct:
The graph showed data from 2000 to 2010 and then increased sharply.
Tip:
Use past tense when describing completed periods, present tense for general facts, and future tense for predictions. For more on tenses, visit the British Council IELTS site.
3. Overusing Present Simple Tense
While present simple is useful, relying solely on it makes your writing repetitive and inaccurate when describing past trends.
Incorrect:
The sales increase in 2015 and then decrease in 2018.
Correct:
Sales increased in 2015 and then decreased in 2018.
4. Misusing Articles (“a,” “an,” and “the”)
Many students either omit necessary articles or use them incorrectly, especially before nouns referring to specific data or categories.
Incorrect:
Bar chart shows number of cars sold.
Correct:
The bar chart shows the number of cars sold.
Tip:
Use “the” when referring to specific things mentioned or known to the reader.
5. Incorrect Use of Prepositions
Prepositions like “in,” “on,” and “at” are tricky and often misused.
Incorrect:
The population increased on 2010.
Correct:
The population increased in 2010.
6. Overusing Passive Voice or Misusing It
Passive voice is common in Task 1, but overusing it can make sentences awkward or unclear.
Incorrect:
The data was analyzed by the researchers, and a trend was identified.
Correct:
The data was analyzed, and a trend was identified.
Tip:
Use passive voice to focus on the data, but balance it with active voice for variety.
7. Incorrect Comparative and Superlative Forms
Comparisons are common in Task 1, but grammar mistakes here reduce clarity.
Incorrect:
The number of students in 2015 is more better than 2010.
Correct:
The number of students in 2015 is better than in 2010.
Or: The number of students in 2015 is higher than in 2010.
8. Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
Linking too many independent clauses without proper punctuation confuses the reader.
Incorrect:
The sales rose in 2017, the profits fell in 2018.
Correct:
The sales rose in 2017, but the profits fell in 2018.
Or: The sales rose in 2017. The profits fell in 2018.
9. Missing or Misplaced Modifiers
Modifiers should be placed close to the words they describe to avoid confusion.
Incorrect:
The company reported a decline in sales last year, which surprised many analysts.
(The “which” seems to modify “last year” instead of “decline in sales.”)
Correct:
The company reported a decline in sales last year, which surprised many analysts.
Or rephrase for clarity:
Last year, the company reported a decline in sales, which surprised many analysts.
10. Incorrect Sentence Structures and Fragments
Incomplete sentences or awkward constructions can lower your writing score.
Incorrect:
Although the sales increased significantly.
(This is a dependent clause and cannot stand alone.)
Correct:
Although the sales increased significantly, profits remained stable.
How to Avoid These Grammar Errors
- Practice regularly with targeted grammar exercises.
- Read model answers from trusted sources like the IELTS official website.
- Proofread your work carefully for subject-verb agreement and tense consistency.
- Use grammar checking tools but don’t rely solely on them.
- Review your errors and learn the correct patterns.
Combining Grammar with Vocabulary for Best Results
Remember, grammar and vocabulary go hand-in-hand in IELTS Writing Task 1. To truly improve your score, you need both accurate grammar and appropriate vocabulary. Make sure to read my full IELTS Writing Task 1 Vocabulary Guide after mastering your grammar.
Final Words
Avoiding common grammar mistakes in IELTS Writing Task 1 is not difficult if you know what to watch out for. Focus on subject-verb agreement, correct tense use, articles, and sentence clarity. By practicing these areas and reviewing your writing, you’ll increase your accuracy and confidence.
If you want a more detailed guide on grammar structures, check out my IELTS Writing Task 1 Grammar for Band 7–9 pillar post.
Good luck with your preparation! Remember, consistent practice and awareness of these common errors will help you reach your target band score.
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