Common Mistakes
The most frequent IELTS grammar errors
These are the "unforced errors" that commonly limit candidates to a Band 6. Eliminating these guarantees a cleaner, more professional essay.
🧠 Core Principles
- Countable vs Uncountable: "Information", "Advice", "Evidence", and "Research" are strictly uncountable—do not add an "s".
- Redundancy: Do not say "return back" or "repeat again".
- False Friends: Translating idioms directly from your native language often results in confusing English.
🎯 In Practice (IELTS Context)
Despite of the high cost, people continue to buy organic food.
Despite the high cost, people continue to buy organic food.
Why? "Despite" is never followed by "of". To use "of", you must use "In spite of".