Grammar in IELTS Speaking: Mistakes to Avoid

Introduction

When preparing for the IELTS Speaking test, many learners focus on fluency and vocabulary but overlook grammar. While grammar does not need to be perfect to score high, frequent mistakes can lower your band score because examiners consider Grammatical Range and Accuracy as one of the four key criteria. This means both the variety of grammar structures and the accuracy of usage matter. The good news is that even if you are not 100% accurate, showing that you can use a range of tenses and structures appropriately can help you score well.

In this article, we will explore the most common grammar mistakes test-takers make in IELTS Speaking, explain why they matter, and provide practical tips to avoid them.

Why Grammar Matters in IELTS Speaking

Grammar affects both clarity and impression. A sentence with poor grammar may still be understandable, but it can sound unnatural or confusing. For example:

• Incorrect: Yesterday I go to the park.

• Correct: Yesterday I went to the park.

Both versions might be understood, but the incorrect one signals a lack of control over verb tenses. Since examiners are trained to assess accuracy, repeated errors like this can cap your score at Band 5.5–6.0. To reach Band 7 or above, you need flexibility and accuracy in your grammar.

Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid

1. Verb Tense Errors

One of the most frequent problems in IELTS Speaking is using the wrong tense. Candidates often stick to the present tense, even when describing the past or making future predictions.

• Wrong: I go to the university yesterday.

• Right: I went to the university yesterday.

Tip: Pay attention to time markers (yesterday, last week, next year). They should always match the verb tense. Practice by retelling stories from the past and making future predictions to strengthen your tense awareness.

2. Subject–Verb Agreement

This mistake occurs when the subject and verb do not match in number (singular/plural).

• Wrong: He go to work every day.

• Right: He goes to work every day.

Even small slips like this can harm your score, especially if they happen often.

Tip: Slow down slightly when speaking. Rushing increases the chance of skipping the “-s” in third person singular verbs.

3. Articles (a, an, the)

Articles are challenging for many learners, especially those whose first languages do not use them. Leaving them out or misusing them is very common.

• Wrong: I bought new phone yesterday.

• Right: I bought a new phone yesterday.

Tip: Remember these general rules:

• Use a/an for something general or mentioned for the first time.

• Use the for something specific or already mentioned.

• No article for plural nouns or uncountable nouns in general statements.

4. Prepositions

Preposition mistakes can make sentences sound awkward.

• Wrong: I am good in cooking.

• Right: I am good at cooking.

• Wrong: She depends of her parents.

• Right: She depends on her parents.

Tip: Learn prepositions in chunks (collocations), such as “interested in,” “afraid of,” “married to.” Memorizing them as pairs or phrases is more effective than learning rules.

5. Word Order

Incorrect word order, especially in questions, is another common mistake.

• Wrong: Why you like music?

• Right: Why do you like music?

Tip: Practice forming questions using auxiliaries (do/does/did). Recording yourself asking and answering IELTS-style questions can help you notice mistakes.

6. Overuse of Simple Sentences

Some candidates play safe and use only basic sentence structures. While this avoids mistakes, it limits the range of grammar, which can keep you stuck at Band 6.

• Simple: I like traveling. It is fun. I can learn new things.

• Better: I like traveling because it is fun and allows me to learn new things.

Tip: Use linking words (because, although, even though, whereas) and relative clauses (which, that, who) to make sentences more complex. Examiners reward variety.

7. Confusing Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Learners often treat uncountable nouns as plural or use them incorrectly with numbers.

• Wrong: I have many informations.

• Right: I have much information.

• Wrong: There are many furnitures in the room.

• Right: There is a lot of furniture in the room.

Tip: Make a list of common uncountable nouns (information, advice, furniture, news, equipment) and practice sentences with them.

8. Misusing Conditionals

Conditionals can be tricky, especially distinguishing between real and unreal situations.

• Wrong: If I will have time, I will visit you.

• Right: If I have time, I will visit you.

• Wrong: If I would have money, I would buy a car.

• Right: If I had money, I would buy a car.

Tip: Practice the four main conditional forms (zero, first, second, third). Examiners notice when candidates can use these accurately.

9. Pronoun Errors

Mistakes with pronouns make speech confusing.

• Wrong: My mother she is a teacher.

• Right: My mother is a teacher.

• Wrong: Me and my friend went shopping.

• Right: My friend and I went shopping.

Tip: Focus on subject vs. object pronouns. Also avoid repeating subjects unnecessarily.

10. Mixing Formal and Informal Grammar

IELTS Speaking is conversational, but using overly casual grammar or slang can reduce clarity.

• Wrong: He don’t got no job.

• Right: He doesn’t have a job.

Examiners do not penalize natural spoken contractions (I’m, don’t, won’t), but avoid slang or non-standard grammar.

Strategies to Improve Grammar for IELTS Speaking

1. Record and Review

Record yourself answering IELTS questions. Listen carefully for verb tense errors, article mistakes, and subject–verb agreement. Self-awareness is the first step to improvement.

2. Practice with Timed Responses

In the test, you must think and speak quickly. Practice speaking within 1–2 minutes per answer. Under time pressure, grammar mistakes often increase, so practicing this way prepares you better.

3. Expand Sentence Variety

Challenge yourself to use:

• A mix of tenses (past, present, future).

• Relative clauses: My friend, who lives abroad, often calls me.

• Conditional sentences: If I had more free time, I would learn a new language.

4. Learn from Native Models

Watch interviews, podcasts, or IELTS sample answers. Notice how grammar structures are used in context. Then, try to imitate them in your own speaking.

5. Focus on Accuracy, Then Fluency

Many candidates believe fluency is more important than grammar. While fluency matters, poor grammar can cap your score. Practice first with accuracy (speaking slowly, carefully), then build speed and fluency.

How Examiners Evaluate Grammar in IELTS Speaking

The Grammatical Range and Accuracy score depends on two factors:

1. Range – Are you using only simple sentences, or do you also use complex ones?

2. Accuracy – Are your sentences mostly correct, or full of errors?

• Band 5: Limited range, frequent errors.

• Band 6: Mix of correct and incorrect grammar; errors sometimes cause misunderstanding.

• Band 7: Variety of complex structures, mostly accurate.

• Band 8+: Wide range of structures, high accuracy, occasional slips only.

Conclusion

Grammar is not about perfection in IELTS Speaking, but about control and variety. Frequent mistakes with tenses, articles, prepositions, or subject–verb agreement can lower your score. On the other hand, showing you can handle different structures—even with occasional errors—proves your language ability. By recording yourself, practicing under exam conditions, and focusing on both accuracy and variety, you can avoid common pitfalls and aim for a higher band score.

FAQ:Grammar in IELTS Speaking: Mistakes to Avoid

What grammar mistakes lower my IELTS Speaking score the most?

The biggest score killers are frequent verb tense errors (e.g., using present for past), broken subject–verb agreement (“he go”), incorrect articles (“a, an, the”), awkward prepositions (“good in” instead of “good at”), and persistent word-order problems in questions. When these appear repeatedly, examiners see limited control and may cap your band at 5–6. To move up, you need mostly accurate sentences plus evidence of complex structures like relative clauses and conditionals.

How accurate does my grammar need to be for Band 7?

Band 7 requires a variety of complex structures with frequent accuracy. Occasional slips are fine if they do not impede understanding and if you self-correct naturally. Show range (conditionals, participle clauses, complex noun phrases) and keep basic grammar—tenses, articles, agreement—solid most of the time. If simple, repeated errors persist, you’ll struggle to reach 7 even with good fluency.

Is it okay to use simple sentences to avoid mistakes?

Relying only on simple sentences limits your Grammatical Range. You might avoid errors, but you’ll likely stay around Band 6. Instead, build accuracy with short, clean complex sentences. For example: “I chose engineering because I enjoy solving practical problems,” or “My cousin, who lives abroad, often sends me photos.” Accuracy first—then add controlled complexity.

How can I fix verb tense problems quickly?

Link tenses to time markers while speaking. If you say “yesterday,” your verb should shift to past (“I went”). For future plans, use “will” or “going to,” and for life experience use present perfect (“I have visited”). Practice 1-minute stories in three versions: past (what happened), present (what it’s like now), future (what will happen). This trains rapid, context-driven tense switching.

What are the most common article mistakes and how do I avoid them?

Typical errors include dropping the article with singular countable nouns (“I bought a phone”), overusing “the” for general ideas, and using “an” before consonant sounds. Quick rules: use a/an for first mention or general category, the for specific/known items or unique things (“the Internet”), and zero article for plurals/uncountables used generally (“People value freedom,” “Information is vital”). Read your answer aloud in your head: if the noun is singular and countable, it probably needs a/an unless it’s specific—then use the.

How do I stop messing up prepositions (in, at, on, for, to)?

Learn prepositions in collocation “chunks,” not as isolated rules. Memorize high-frequency pairs: “interested in,” “good at,” “depend on,” “apply for,” “married to.” Create a mini-deck of 20–30 collocations and use them in daily 30-second responses. When uncertain in the exam, choose the most common collocation you’ve drilled rather than guessing creatively.

How can I improve question word order quickly?

Stick to the helping-verb pattern for present/past: “Why do you…?”, “Where did you…?” For the verb “to be,” invert directly: “Are you…?”, “Was it…?” Avoid double subjects: not “Why you like…?” but “Why do you like…?” Drill 15 classic stems (Why/How/Where/What/When + do/does/did + subject + base verb) until automatic. In Part 3, add hedges after the correct question form: “Do you think technology changes family life?”

What types of complex sentences impress examiners without high risk?

Use low-risk, high-impact structures:

• Reason/contrast: because, although, even though
• Relative clauses: “which/that/who” to add concise detail
• Conditionals: First and Second conditional for plans and hypotheticals
• Participial clauses (ing/ed): “Having grown up in a small town, I appreciate quiet.”

Keep them short. One well-formed complex sentence per answer showcases range without inviting errors.

Should I use contractions or very formal grammar in Speaking?

Contractions (I’m, don’t, won’t) are natural and recommended. IELTS Speaking is conversational, not a formal speech. Avoid slang or non-standard grammar (“ain’t,” double negatives) that could lower clarity. Aim for clear, neutral spoken English: “I’m pretty sure,” “I don’t really think so,” “From my perspective.”

How do I deal with mistakes in real time—should I correct myself?

Yes—brief, natural self-correction helps. If you say, “He go—sorry—he goes to the gym,” that shows monitoring and usually helps your score. Keep it short; don’t restart entire sentences. The goal is to demonstrate control, not perfection. Over-apologizing or freezing is worse than a quick, confident fix.

What are effective daily drills to build grammatical accuracy fast?

Use a 10-minute micro-routine:

1. Past–Present–Future loop (3 minutes): Answer one prompt three times, shifting tenses.
2. Article focus (3 minutes): Describe 5 items on your desk, first mention with a/an, then specific with the.
3. Collocation run (2 minutes): Say 10 sentences with common preposition pairs.
4. Question builder (2 minutes): Form and answer 6 WH-questions using do/does/did or “to be.”

Record once per day; note repeated errors and target them tomorrow.

How can I use conditionals correctly during the test?

Match the situation to the form:

• First conditional (real/likely): “If I have time, I will join the club.”
• Second conditional (unlikely/hypothetical): “If I had more money, I would travel longer.”
• Third conditional (past hypothetical): “If I had known, I would have prepared earlier.”

In Speaking, First and Second are most useful. Use them to extend answers naturally: preference, advice, or imagined outcomes.

What should I do if I keep mixing countable and uncountable nouns?

Memorize a short “red list” of uncountables common in IELTS: information, advice, furniture, luggage, homework, research, traffic, equipment, progress, news. Use “much,” “a lot of,” or zero article for them, not plurals: “useful information,” “good advice,” “a piece of furniture.” Keep the list visible during practice until it becomes instinctive.

How do I balance fluency with accuracy under time pressure?

Adopt a 3-step template for Part 2/3 answers: position → reason → example. Speak at a comfortable pace; insert micro-pauses at clause boundaries to protect agreement and articles. Use reliable scaffolds: “The main reason is…,” “For instance…,” “On the other hand….” This keeps flow steady while giving your brain a beat to place the right tense or preposition.

Can grammar alone raise my band if my vocabulary is limited?

Grammar interacts with fluency, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Strong grammar can lift clarity and coherence, but you still need topic-appropriate vocabulary. Think in collocations to boost both at once: “make progress,” “pose a risk,” “play a crucial role.” This approach upgrades lexis and stabilizes prepositions simultaneously.

What quick checks can I run in my head before finishing an answer?

Run a 5-point mental checklist: (1) Time marker matches tense? (2) Third-person “-s” added where needed? (3) Articles on singular countables? (4) Obvious preposition pair correct? (5) One complex structure used? This 3–5 second scan can prevent repetitive slips without breaking fluency.

Sample upgrades: How can I turn basic sentences into Band 7-style answers?

Basic: “I like reading. It is relaxing.”
Upgrade: “I enjoy reading because it helps me unwind, and it often exposes me to new perspectives that I can apply in daily life.”

Basic: “Public transport is important.”
Upgrade: “Public transport plays a crucial role in reducing congestion, and if it were more reliable, more commuters would switch from cars.”

Note the controlled use of collocations, linking words, and a conditional to show range without sounding artificial.

What should I practice this week to see noticeable improvement?

Day 1–2: Tense loops + article drills. Day 3: Collocations with prepositions. Day 4: Question forms and short relative clauses. Day 5: First/Second conditionals in Part 3 answers. Day 6: Mixed review with recording. Day 7: Mock test; analyze errors; create a 10-item “fix list” for next week. Keep answers concise, varied, and mostly accurate—you’ll sound more confident and controlled, which is exactly what examiners reward.

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