Why do non-native speakers lose marks on articles?

Many first languages have no direct equivalent of 'a', 'an' and 'the', so they are easy to forget. Focused practice and proofreading for articles helps quickly.

Is it bad to use memorised answers in IELTS?

Yes. Memorised language that does not fit the question can lower your score. Use flexible structures instead.

How can I fix repeated mistakes?

Get feedback on real practice, keep a list of your own errors, and check that list every time you write or record yourself.

Common IELTS Mistakes Non-Native Speakers Make (and How to Fix Them)

The IELTS errors non-native English speakers make most in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening, from articles and tenses to memorised answers, with fixes.

By IELTSora teaching team · Updated 5 November 2026 · 2 min read

Grammar patterns carried over from your first language

Many languages, including Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Hindi, Bangla and Vietnamese, have no direct equivalent of 'a', 'an' and 'the', and many do not change the verb for he, she or it. As a result, learners often drop articles or the third-person 's': 'He go to office' instead of 'He goes to the office'.

Another common pattern is direct translation of expressions or word order, for example 'I am agree' instead of 'I agree', or 'discuss about' instead of 'discuss'. These small errors repeat across an essay and pull the grammar score down.

Say 'I agree', not 'I am agree'.
Say 'discuss the issue', not 'discuss about the issue'.
Say 'She lives in the city', not 'She live in the city'.
Use 'the' for specific or unique things: 'the government', 'the internet'.

Memorised answers in Speaking and Writing

Coaching materials in many countries encourage memorised introductions and Part 2 stories. Examiners recognise these, and they often do not fit the question. Learn flexible structures and phrases, but build each answer fresh around the actual question.

Over-formal or cliched language

Phrases like 'In this modern era of science and technology' or 'Every coin has two sides' are overused and add nothing. Start directly with a paraphrase of the question. In Speaking, natural everyday English is better than textbook phrases.

Listening and Reading habits

Common losses come from spelling (accommodation, environment, government), ignoring word limits, and spending too long on one Reading question. Practise with a timer and move on when a question takes more than about 90 seconds.

Frequently asked questions

Why do non-native speakers lose marks on articles?: Many first languages have no direct equivalent of 'a', 'an' and 'the', so they are easy to forget. Focused practice and proofreading for articles helps quickly.
Is it bad to use memorised answers in IELTS?: Yes. Memorised language that does not fit the question can lower your score. Use flexible structures instead.
How can I fix repeated mistakes?: Get feedback on real practice, keep a list of your own errors, and check that list every time you write or record yourself.

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