Common Grammatical Mistakes：雅思写作常见语法错误

在英语写作中，因为母语习惯，词汇表达不熟悉，甚至思路不清晰，会导致很多语法/句法/标点使用错误，而降低 GR/A 评分项。同时，语法表达如果特别不规范，也会极大影响其他三项评分。

💡 问题：一千个雅思考生会有一千个语法错误，但是请你想一下最常见的语法错误有哪些？

1. 3rd Person Verb Error

Rule: In IELTS writing, present simple verbs must agree with third-person singular subjects, including uncountable nouns, gerunds, infinitives, or long phrases acting as subjects. Forgetting this rule is a common trap.

Examples (Task 1 - Describing Charts):

1. Incorrect: The amount of water used decrease significantly after 2005. Correct: The amount of water used decreases significantly after 2005.
2. Incorrect: Building a new factory help to reduce unemployment rates. Correct: Building a new factory helps to reduce unemployment rates.
3. Incorrect: The use of computers and smartphones are prohibited in this examination. Correct: The use of computers and smartphones is prohibited in this examination.

2. Wrong Tense (Common in Maps and Process Descriptions)

Rule: Use tenses appropriately based on the time frame. For static maps or processes, the present simple is often used. For changes over time (e.g., map comparisons), mix past and present appropriately. Avoid unnecessary use of the past perfect.

In 2022, COVID-19 ___ controlled.

Examples (Task 1 - Maps and Processes):

1. Incorrect: The factory had been replaced by a playground in 2010. Correct: The factory was replaced by a playground in 2010.
2. Incorrect: The diagram shows how coffee was produced. Correct: The diagram shows how coffee is produced.

Explanation:

In the first example, the past perfect (had been replaced) should not be used because there is no earlier past action requiring this tense. In the second example, the present simple (is produced) is appropriate for describing a timeless process.

3. Run-On Sentence

Rule: A run-on sentence occurs when two independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions. Use a period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction to fix this issue.

Examples (Task 2 - Argumentative Essay):

1. Incorrect: Some people believe that public transport is cheaper, it also reduces traffic congestion. Correct: Some people believe that public transport is cheaper, and it also reduces traffic congestion.

2. Incorrect: The government should invest in education, this will lead to a more skilled workforce. Correct: The government should invest in education, because this will lead to a more skilled workforce.

Explanation:

Beware of when you choose to use a comma.

4. Fragmented Sentence

Rule: A fragmented sentence is incomplete, often lacking a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. Ensure every sentence contains an independent clause.

Examples (Task 2 - Argumentative Essay):

1. Incorrect: For example, when students are given opportunities to explore. They tend to perform better academically. Correct: For example, when students are given opportunities to explore, they tend to perform better academically.

2. Incorrect: Such as, providing free healthcare to citizens. Correct: Governments can improve the quality of life by implementing policies, such as providing free healthcare to citizens.

Explanation:

Beware of when you choose to use a period.

5. Two or More Verbs in One Sentence

Rule: When a sentence contains multiple verbs, they must be structured correctly using conjunctions, clauses, or relative pronouns. Avoid redundancy or incorrect constructions.

Examples (Task 1 - Describing Charts):

1. Incorrect: There are two factories produce goods in the town. Correct: There are two factories that produce goods in the town.

   中文思维最容易犯的错误，建议改成：Two factories produce goods in the town.

1. Incorrect: The number of students increased and is growing rapidly. Correct: The number of students increased and then grew rapidly.

Explanation:

In the first example, adding the relative pronoun “that” connects the verbs logically. In the second, the tense inconsistency between “increased” and “is growing” is corrected by maintaining parallel structure (“increased and grew”).

6. Redundancy

Rule: Avoid repeating the same ideas or using unnecessary words. Be concise while maintaining clarity.

Examples (Task 2 - Argumentative Essay):

1. Incorrect: *In my opinion, I believe that governments should provide free education. Correct: I believe that governments should provide free education.*
2. Incorrect: The chart shows the percentage of people who use the internet. According to the chart, the percentage of people who use the internet has increased. Correct: The chart shows that the percentage of internet users has increased.

Explanation:

Redundancy makes writing repetitive and wordy, which can negatively impact the Task Achievement score. IELTS examiners value concise and precise writing.

总结

以上在改作文时，我会简写成：三单, 动词时态, 连写句, 碎片句, 动词重复, 赘述冗余. 请通过练习拒绝这些基本语法错误。

除了以上的问题，学生还有可能会出现比如标点符号错误，主动/被动错误，语序不合适，等。这些小问题只能通过不断练习整理来提高敏感度，建议使用以下格式整理/复习：