8 Common Grammatical Mistakes In IELTS Speaking Exam

In speaking test of IELTS, students tend to get more confused than any other module. The reason is that, in this module, students have to face the examiner. Speaking test is one to one interview where an examiner is there to judge your IELTS speaking skills. In the face of nervousness, making mistakes is common, but some of the common mistakes can be avoided. Let’s have a look at 8 of the common grammatical errors which students do while speaking.

1. Tense Errors

It is one of the major and common mistakes which students do in any of the modules of IELTS. To avoid this error, it is very important to have knowledge of the tenses of English grammar. In the module of speaking, particularly 3 to 4 Types of tenses are used which are as follows:-

• Simple present tense is used to show the facts or statements in general.

For example

The sky is blue.

The earth revolves around the sun.

• Present continuous tense which is used to speak about the actions which are being done recently.

For example

I am currently pursuing my secondary education from the Chandigarh university.

I am doing job in the marketing and sales department.

• Simple past tense this is a tense which is widely used in speaking as the major portion of speaking is to be done in past. Many of the actions all activities which have been done in past, have to be spoken for.

For example-

I visited Kashmir last month.

I did my MBA from Chandigarh.

I cooked pizza last night.

2. Forms of Verbs

Forms of verbs are basically the helping verbs which we use with the nouns and pronouns. These helping verbs tend to clear the meaning of the sentence. The examples of helping verbs are is, am, was, can, might, are, will, could, etc.

It is very important to put these helping verbs in the right place as any of the wrong used forms of the verb will be a blunder to the grammar of English.

Use of Verbs

• Is, am, are (used in the present tense)
• Was/Were ( used in the past tense)
• Will/Shall (used in the future tense) I will pursue my post-graduation in abroad
• Can/Could (used for showing ability) I can hammer a nail.

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3. Singular/Plural

Another ordinary error that students get confused to correct is the error of usage of singular and plural forms of nouns. Singular stands for a single or one thing or person and plural stands for two or many. However, the plural form is done for the things which are countable and there are many nouns in English that are uncountable. For example traffic, money, happiness, education, knowledge, research, advice, etc.

Wrong Usage

• My father gave me lots of advices.

Use advice instead

• The city is full of traffics.

Use traffic instead

Sometimes, students use the wrong form of the verb with the plurals too.

People is – The word ‘people' is plural, so use ‘are' with it.

Crowd are- Although the word ‘crowd’ means a bunch of people. But it is a collective noun and ‘is' should be used.

4. Missing out Articles

Article usage is very important in English. It is noticed when you speak English. So do not miss the articles which are a, an, the.

Usage of ‘the'

• With superlatives (the worst, the best, the most impressive)
• With words having an entire world (the globe, the atmosphere, the internet)
• With the words of particular focus in a sentence ( the river, the government, the hospital)

Usage of ‘a'

• A is used with the nouns in the singular form.
• A boy, a chair, I will be there in a minute or two

Usage of ‘an'

An is used with the nouns starting with vowels of english (a,e,i,o,u) With some exception of sound.

an hour, an orange

5. Usage of Wrong Pauses

Too many pauses in speaking is itself a mistake. But using wrong pauses in between is a common error committed by folks. You should be aware of what you are talking. Do not Unnecessarily stop or put a pause to talk about anything. Use the required amount of stops in between by taking care of the pitch of your voice too.

• Well,(a pause) I am not much fond of gardening.
• I have been learning abacus since my childhood and yes, (a pause) I am getting perfect in it day by day.

6. Comparatives & Superlatives

Comparative and superlative degrees are the degrees of adjectives. Adjectives are used to tell about the quality and quantity of anything or a person. It becomes important to know about its degrees to depict the intensity of his/her quality or anything’s quality or quantity. Well, there is the simple difference between the comparative and superlative degrees, that is, comparatives are used to compare among two and superlative is used to show among all.

Comparative- I am much into study than curricular activities.

Superlative- I believe that college life is the best part of life.

7. Preposition Errors

Usage of prepositions is another part of Grammar in English. Try to practise the prepositions as these are important in English speaking. The common errors of prepositions which are done by students are:-

• I was into the class. Correct usage is- I was in the class.
• My parents got angry to me. Correct usage is- My parents got angry with me.
• I am not sure with this task. Use instead- I am not sure about this task.

8. Pronoun Errors

Pronouns are the words that are used in place of nouns. Many students are not aware of the pronouns and use the wrong pronouns in case of sentences which makes the meaning of the sentence unclear. For example usage of he in place of she, usage of my instead of mine, usage of you and yours, usage of they, we, her, his, etc.

Usage of he and she is a very common error which students commit and this can be removed by practice only.

Well, speaking exam is not that much difficult that students think. Try to speak in English only, before appearing for the exam. However, earlier blogs can be referred for some of the speaking tips and tricks.