Common Mistakes in IELTS Writing

Since vast majority of my students are Russians, it often happens that I see the same errors over and over again in different IELTS essays, letters and academic part 1. The main reason for this is the interference of Russian. When learners try to translate a phrase word-for-word, they can easily make a mistake for grammar or collocation.

Mistake 1

A tendency of disrespect for another cultures and countries could still be observed.

Correct: A tendency of disrespect for other cultures and countries could still be observed.

Explanation: If the noun is singular and countable, we use “another” to modify it; if it is plural, we use “other”. Another means “one other”, so it should only be used with the singular.

Mistake 2

On the other hand, it is undoubtedly that serious offenders should be sent to jail.

Correct: On the other hand, it is undoubted that serious offenders should be sent to jail.

Explanation: in English you need to use adjectives after the verb “to be” and link verbs (feel, look, smell, taste, seem, appear). You need adverbs with other verbs. It’s a bit confusing for Russian speakers because we often have adverbs in similar cases in Russian. The sentences “It is useful, it is quick” have adjectives in English, but will be translated with adverbs in Russian.

Mistake 3

Teachers can often give good advices.

Correct: Teachers can often give good advice.

Explanation: in English the word “advice” is uncountable, so it can be used in singular only. If you want to say “one” you can use the phrase “a piece of advice” or “a tip”. There are many words like this that are countable in Russian, but uncountable in English, so it is always wise to check such words in online dictionaries: Oxford and Macmillan. Some more tricky uncountable words are: information, news, evidence, weather, etc. Some words can be both countable and uncountable, depending on their meaning, e.g.  I don’t have much time (uncountable) – I visited France many times (countable).

Mistake 4

The bar chart shows the amount of passengers.

Correct: The bar chart shows the number of passengers.

Explanation: You need to use “the number of” with countable nouns and “the amount of” with uncountable nouns. The word “quantity” can be used with both. The main difficulty is that Russian has only one word for quantity, so students can easily get confused.

Mistake 5

Sometimes foreigners do not speak local languages very good.

Correct: Sometimes foreigners do not speak local languages very well.

Explanation: Good is an adjective, well is an adverb. You need to use adverbs with all the verbs (except “to be, look, feel, smell, seem, appear).

Mistake 6

Despite of the fact that people are becoming wealthier, they often suffer from depression.

Correct: Despite the fact that people are becoming wealthier, they often suffer from depression.

Explanation: you will need to remember that you can write either “despite” or “in spite of”.
Either one word, or three words, but there is no way to use two words here. My most educated guess is that Russians often make this mistake because they are accustomed to use two words in Russian.

Mistake 7

Scientists have proved the harmful affect of stress on people.

Correct: Scientists have proved the harmful effect of stress on people.

Explanation: This one is a bit tricky even for native speakers. If you need the meaning of “influence”, then you will need “effect” as a noun, but “to affect” as a verb.

Mistake 8

Most families grow up one or two children.

Correct: Most families bring up one or two children.

Explanation: You can grow vegetables or fruit, but you bring up children. You can use the phrasal verb “grow up” as an intransitive verb only (without object): I grew up in Moscow.

Mistake 9

It is very pity that students cannot choose their future profession.

Correct: It is real pity that students cannot choose their future profession.

Explanation: This is a collocation mistake. “It is real pity” is a fixed phrase, so you just need to remember it as a phrase. Most collocation mistakes take place when Russian students translate phrases word for word.

Mistake 10

In conclusion, to be a child is simpler and more pleasant.

Correct: In conclusion, it is simpler and more pleasant to be a child.

Explanation: This is a typical grammar mistake. In English you can’t place the infinitive as a grammatical subject in this type of sentences, you need a special structure “it is”.

Each person has their own special set of “fossilised errors”. The only way to eradicate them is to analyse such mistakes and spend some time of every lesson working at them (doing oral drills, translating sentences, creating new sentences and writing new sentences at home).