29/04/2026
Please listen to my audios before you study IELTS Writing:
ESSAY WRITING:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcrmtZZ6N0BZY9Wfscdb5ZIi0ChtYmr5k
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Body of essays:
https://youtu.be/MfnkgNhsYsc
common mistakes:
https://youtu.be/eNpZjaKr2II
conclusion:
https://youtu.be/Ieb9WUg0gwc
introduction:
https://youtu.be/s4VOFkhvC-U
20 most important writing mistakes to avoid in IELTS Essay Writing (Task 2)** , organized by category to help you boost your score.
❌ Task Response & Argument Mistakes
1. **Not directly answering the question** – The biggest mistake. If the question asks "Do you agree or disagree?" and you discuss advantages/disadvantages, you fail Task Response.
2. **Going off-topic** – Adding irrelevant examples or ideas that don't support your thesis.
3. **Not taking a clear position** – Sitting on the fence without a clear opinion when the prompt asks for one (e.g., "I partially agree" without clarity).
4. **Insufficiently developed ideas** – Making claims without explanation, evidence, or examples. Each main idea needs support.
5. **Ignoring all parts of the question** – Some prompts have two parts (e.g., "Why is this happening? What solutions exist?"). Answering only one lowers your score.
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Coherence & Cohesion Mistakes
6. **No clear essay structure** – Jumping between ideas without introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
7. **Poor paragraphing** – One long block of text, or illogical paragraph breaks. Each paragraph should have one central idea.
8. **Overusing basic linking words** – Using "firstly, secondly, finally" or "and, but, so" too much. Also, using them incorrectly (e.g., starting every sentence with "Moreover").
9. **Lack of topic sentences** – Starting body paragraphs without a clear sentence that tells the reader the main point.
10. **Repetitive or circular arguments** – Saying the same thing in different words without progressing the argument.
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Vocabulary (Lexical Resource) Mistakes
11. **Using memorized phrases inappropriately** – Cramming "a double-edged sword," "in a nutshell," "it is undeniable that" into every essay without natural fit.
12. **Repetition of basic words** – Using "good," "bad," "important," "people" 10+ times without synonyms.
13. **Incorrect word choice (collocation errors)** – Saying "make a decision" is fine, but "make a research" is wrong (it's "do/conduct research").
14. **Spelling errors** – Common ones: "goverment" (government), "recieve" (receive), "beleive" (believe), "wich" (which).
15. **Using overly formal or old-fashioned words** – "Henceforth," "herein," "notwithstanding" – these sound unnatural and often misused.
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Grammar & Accuracy Mistakes
16. **Subject-verb agreement errors** – "The government have decided" (should be "has decided"). "People is happy" (should be "people are happy").
17. **Sentence fragments and run-on sentences** – Writing incomplete sentences or joining multiple independent clauses with only commas (comma splice).
18. **Wrong tense for the context** – Mixing past, present, and future without reason. For general statements, use present simple.
19. **Incorrect article usage** – Overusing "the," omitting "a/an" where needed, or using no article when one is required (e.g., "Internet is useful" → "The internet is useful").
20. **Not proofreading for small errors** – Missing plurals ("many problem"), prepositions ("depend of" instead of "depend on"), or word order mistakes.
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Quick Fix Summary (Top 5 Priorities)
# # ✅ Before You Submit Your Essay – 60-Second Checklist
- [ ] Did I directly answer **all parts** of the question?
- [ ] Does each body paragraph have a **clear topic sentence**?
- [ ] Did I avoid **overusing** "firstly, moreover, however"?
- [ ] Did I use **synonyms** instead of repeating basic words?
- [ ] Are my **subjects and verbs** matching?
- [ ] Did I check for **common spelling errors**?
- [ ] Is my **position/opinion** clear throughout?
Avoid these 20 mistakes, and you will significantly improve your IELTS Writing Task 2 score, especially in Task Response and Grammatical Range & Accuracy.
Best wishes to you,
Dr. Bahaa Hakam
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