IELTS Writing Task 1

6 Most Common Grammar Mistakes in Academic Task 1

Grammar accuracy accounts for 25% of your IELTS Writing score. Learn the most common mistakes — and practise fixing them with exercises.

How to use this guide: Read each grammar rule carefully, then complete the practice exercise. Check your answers at the bottom of each section.

Mistake 01
Verb Tenses

✓

Always check the graphic first — if the data is from the past, use the past simple. If it shows the present or future, use the present simple or future forms.

✓

Be careful with irregular past simple verbs — these are a very common source of errors.

Exercise — Write the past simple form

1. The percentage of students (go) _______ up in 2010.

2. The US (lead) _______ in student numbers.

3. It (become) _______ the most popular by 2012.

4. China (hold) _______ the top position in 2015.

5. The figures (keep) _______ rising until 2018.

Answers

1. went | 2. led | 3. became | 4. held | 5. kept

Mistake 02
Subject-Verb Agreement

Singular (use IS / WAS)

the figure • the number • everyone • none of the

Plural (use ARE / WERE)

both • a few • many • a number of • a couple of

Exercise — Choose is or are

1. The number of students going abroad is / are increasing.
2. A number of students is / are choosing to study abroad.
3. The figure for studying abroad is / are increasing.
4. None of the students is / are studying abroad.
5. Both of the students is / are studying abroad.
6. All of the students is / are studying abroad.
7. Everyone is / are studying abroad.
8. A couple of students is / are studying abroad.
9. Living in foreign countries is / are becoming more popular.

Answers

1. is | 2. are | 3. is | 4. are | 5. are | 6. are | 7. is | 8. are | 9. is

Mistake 03
Active vs. Passive Voice

Active

The figures show a sharp rise in 2010.

Passive (be + past participle)

A sharp rise can be seen in 2010.

Use the passive in Task 1 when:

✓With reporting verbs: A rise can be seen / observed / noted.

✓To link two sentences: Rainfall decreases in October. A similar drop can be seen in Spain.

✓With future predictions: Petrol use is estimated to have shrunk to 11% by 2028.

✓In process or map diagrams: The grapes are picked and collected to be juiced.

Mistake 04
Prepositions

Prepositions of Time

At — hours: at 19:00
On — days: on Monday
In — weeks, months, years, decades: in 2010, in the 1990s

Prepositions of Place

At — specific point: at the bus stop
In — enclosed space: in the garden
On — surface: on the wall

Mistake 05
Word Formation — Adjectives vs. Adverbs

Adjective (modifies a noun)

There was a dramatic increase.

Adverb (modifies a verb)

The figures dramatically increased.

Exercise — Choose the correct form

1. The number of students great / greatly increased throughout the period.
2. The number increased continuously / continuous throughout the period.
3. There was a dramatical / dramatic increase in students after 2005.
4. There was a large / largely increase in students after 2005.
5. The number was approximately / approximate 20,000.
6. The figures experienced a slightly / slight drop in 2015.

Answers

Mistake 06
Explaining Figures — Million & Percent

Million vs. Millions

✓ 20 million phones were sold. (with a number)
✓ Millions of students go abroad. (no number)
✗ 20 millions phones were sold.

Percent vs. Percentage

✓ increased by 109 percent. (with a number)
✓ The percentage of students increased. (no number)
✗ The percentage increased by 109 percentage.

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6 Most Common Grammar Mistakes in IELTS Writing Task 1 (With Exercises)

6 Most Common Grammar Mistakes in Academic Task 1

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