IELTS Task 1 Grammar: Fix the 7 Errors That Cost You Band 7

Priya Sharma

Priya Sharma writes English learning guides for ESL students. Pune-based language enthusiast.

Visual representation of the voice · not a photographic portrait

Quick answer: Most Task 1 grammar errors come from tense, 'the number of' agreement, articles, prepositions with numbers, comparisons, passive voice and run-on sentences. Save three minutes at the end and check only verbs, numbers and your personal weak spot.↗ Share on X

The fastest way to fix grammar mistakes in IELTS Writing Task 1 is to stop proofreading everything and hunt for a short list of errors you personally repeat. Most Task 1 grammar slips come from the same six or seven places: verb tense for the time period, subject-verb agreement with "the number of", articles before trends, prepositions with numbers, comparisons, passive voice in process diagrams, and run-on sentences. Leave three minutes at the end, check only those points, and you will catch far more than a random read-through ever finds.

This article shows you the exact errors, how to spot each one in seconds, and a checking routine you can practice this week.

Why does grammar matter so much in Task 1?

READ ALSOPick the Right English Tense for Daily Life Easily →IELTS Speaking: 7 habits that keep your band score down →IELTS Speaking Test: How It Works and How to Score Higher →

Your Task 1 answer is marked on four criteria that carry equal weight: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. So grammar is a quarter of your Task 1 score.

For band 7 in grammar, examiners look for two things at once:

• Range: you use a mix of simple and complex sentences.
• Accuracy: a good number of your sentences have no errors at all.

This is where many students get stuck. They try long, complex sentences to show range, and those long sentences are exactly where the mistakes hide. The fix is not to write simpler. The fix is to know where your errors live and check those spots on purpose.

Which grammar mistakes show up most in Task 1?

Here are the errors that examiners and teachers see again and again in Task 1 reports. Read each "wrong" line and see if you would have caught it.

If three or more of these look familiar, you now have your personal checklist.

How do you get the tense right every time?

READ ALSO7 IELTS Speaking Habits That Quietly Lower Your Band Score →IELTS Speaking Prep: Is It Worth Your Time and Money? →Is IELTS Speaking Prep Worth It? What 4 Weeks Can Change →

Tense is the single easiest error to prevent, because the chart tells you the answer before you write a word.

1. Look at the dates first. Circle the years on the chart or table.

2. All in the past? Use past simple: rose, fell, remained, peaked.

3. Future dates? Use "is expected to", "is projected to", or "is predicted to" followed by the base verb.

4. Past and future mixed? Use past simple for the past years and the forecast phrases for the future years. Do not switch randomly.

5. No dates at all (process or map)? Process diagrams use present simple, often passive. Maps comparing two times use past simple for the old map and present simple or present perfect for changes.

A quick trick: write the main tense in the corner of your question paper, like "PAST" or "PRESENT PASSIVE". Glance at it every time you start a new sentence.

What is the "number vs amount" trap?

Task 1 is full of quantity words, and they carry hidden grammar rules.

• The number of + plural noun + singular verb: "The number of cars was high."
• A number of + plural noun + plural verb: "A number of cars were parked."
• The amount of + uncountable noun: "The amount of water used fell."
• The proportion / percentage of + noun + singular verb: "The percentage of women was 40%."

Never write "the amount of people". People can be counted, so use "the number of people".

Which prepositions go with numbers?

Prepositions change the meaning of your data. An examiner reads "rose at 20%" and has no idea what you mean.

• rose by 5% = the size of the change
• rose to 25% = the new level
• rose from 20% to 25% = start and end points
• stood at 20% = the level at one moment
• peaked at 30% = the highest point
• a rise of 5% = noun form, uses "of"

Practice this by taking one line graph and writing the same trend four ways, using "by", "to", "from...to" and "of". It takes five minutes and fixes the error for good.

How do you avoid comparison mistakes?

Comparisons are required in Task 1, because you must compare main features. The common slips:

• Double comparatives: "more higher" or "more bigger". Pick one: "higher", "bigger", "more popular".
• Missing "than": "Coffee was more popular tea." Add "than".
• Wrong superlative: "the most high". Use "the highest".
• Comparing the wrong things: "The sales of Company A were higher than Company B." Fix: "higher than those of Company B" or "higher than Company B's sales."

That last one is a mark of a stronger writer. Add "that of" (singular) or "those of" (plural) and you show range and accuracy together.

How do you fix articles fast?

Articles (a, an, the) are hard for many learners because their first language may not have them. You do not need to master every rule for Task 1. You need three:

1. Nouns that describe a trend take "a": a rise, a fall, a peak, a fluctuation, a slight decrease.

2. Things already named in the chart take "the": the graph, the table, the figure for Japan, the highest point.

3. Plural or general nouns often take nothing: "Prices rose", "Exports fell", "Women spent more time on housework."

When you check, look at every trend noun you wrote. If it has an adjective in front ("significant rise", "sharp fall"), it almost always needs "a".

How do you break up run-on sentences?

Long sentences are good for range, but only if they are built correctly. A run-on sentence joins two complete ideas with only a comma, or with nothing.

Use these linking tools instead:

• while / whereas for contrast: "Oil fell, while gas rose."
• which for extra detail: "Gas rose to 40%, which was the highest figure."
• before / after for time: "Sales climbed steadily before peaking in 2018."
• -ing clauses for results: "Prices fell sharply, reaching a low of $20."

A good rule for the exam: no sentence longer than about 30 words. If it runs longer, split it.

What does a 3-minute grammar check look like?

Here is a routine you can use on test day. Plan your time so you finish writing with about three minutes left.

1. Minute one: verbs. Read only the verbs. Is every one in the right tense? Does each agree with its subject?

2. Minute two: numbers. Look at every number. Is the preposition before it correct (by, to, at, of)?

3. Minute three: your personal weak spot. Articles, comparatives, or plurals. Pick the one you miss most in practice.

Do not rewrite whole sentences at this stage. Cross out neatly and write the fix above the line. On the computer test, just correct the word.

How do you find your personal error list?

General tips help, but your own errors matter most. Here is how to find them over one week.

1. Write three Task 1 answers under exam timing: 20 minutes each, at least 150 words.

2. Get them corrected by a teacher, a study partner at a higher level, or a grammar checking tool. Tools miss things, so a person is better when possible.

3. Make a tally. Every time an error appears, put a mark next to its type: tense, agreement, article, preposition, comparison, passive, run-on, spelling.

4. Find your top three. These three become your check routine.

5. Rewrite each wrong sentence correctly, by hand. Writing the fix makes it stick better than just reading it.

After a week, write two more answers and tally again. You should see fewer marks in your top three. If a new error type climbs to the top, swap it into your routine.

Should you use simple sentences to stay safe?

No. Writing only short, simple sentences makes you accurate, but it caps your range. The band descriptors for higher scores ask for a mix of sentence types.

A safer plan is to learn a few complex patterns so well that you never get them wrong:

• "While X increased, Y decreased."
• "X rose to 40%, which was double the figure for Y."
• "It is projected that X will reach 50% by 2030."
• "Having peaked at 60% in 2015, X then fell steadily."

Four patterns, practiced until they feel automatic, will give you range without adding risk.

Your next step

Take the last Task 1 answer you wrote. Underline every verb and circle every number. Check each one against the table above and the preposition list. Count how many errors you find, write down the type of each one, and you have the first entry in your personal error list. Tomorrow, write one new answer and run the 3-minute check before you look at any model answer.

FAQ

How much of the Task 1 score is grammar?

Grammatical Range and Accuracy is one of four equally weighted criteria, so it counts for a quarter of your Task 1 score.

Should I write only simple sentences to avoid mistakes?

No. Simple sentences limit your range. Learn a few complex patterns, like 'While X increased, Y decreased', until you can write them without errors.

Which tense do I use for a process diagram?

Use present simple, often in the passive voice, for example 'The leaves are picked by hand.'