IELTS Grammar by Simon

IELTS Grammar by Simon

Collected by Ngoc Bach Page: https://www.facebook.com/tuhocIelts8.0 Website: www.ngocbach.com Page 1

IELTS Grammar: some typical mistakes

Find 5 common mistakes in the paragraph below:

Some people believe that, all police officers should carry a gun. While, others disagree with this idea, and argue that it is intimidating to see armed police officers on the streets. From my view, the advantages of police officers carrying guns have overweighed the disadvantages. Because the police need to be able to protect both themselves and the general public.

Feel free to share your answers in the "comments" area below. I'll reveal the correct answers tomorrow.

CORRECT ANSWERS:

1. 'Some people believe that all...' (no comma after "that")

2. '... should carry a gun, while...' (don't begin a sentence with "While," - use "while" after a comma to link contrasting ideas in the same sentence)

3. 'In my view' OR 'From my point of view' (not "From my view")

4. 'the advantages of police officers carrying guns OUTWEIGH the disadvantages' ("outweigh" NOT "have overweighed")

5. '... the disadvantages because...' ("because" is used to connect ideas in the SAME sentence. You don't need a comma before "because")

Good work Hana, Felora and Evan

Simon

IELTS Grammar: before or ago?

Don't say: I came to Manchester before two weeks.

Do say: I came to Manchester two weeks ago.

Use "past time + ago"

 10 years ago, a long time ago, a few weeks ago, a couple of days ago

Use "before + action / event"

 before you left, before we start, before lunch

Don't use "before + past time" (before two weeks, before three days)

IELTS Grammar by Simon

Collected by Ngoc Bach Page: https://www.facebook.com/tuhocIelts8.0 Website: www.ngocbach.com Page 2

IELTS Grammar: fall or reduce?

These two words are the opposites of 'rise' and 'raise' (see last week's grammar lesson):

 something falls (e.g. the price fell)

 somebody reduces something (e.g. the company reduced the price)

You will probably use 'fall' to describe numbers on a graph or chart for IELTS Writing Task 1:

 In 2008, the number of customers fell. (verb, past)

 There was a sharp fall in Internet usage. (noun)

'Reduce' and 'reduction' are probably more useful for Writing Task 2:

 We need to reduce the amount of pollution from exhaust fumes. (verb)

 Recycling leads to a reduction in waste. (noun)

IELTS Grammar: linking with "this"

All students learn to link ideas using words like "however", "furthermore" etc. Most students don't realise that the word "this" is also a linking word. Look at the following examples:

 Nowadays, people can use the Internet, fax and mobile phones to work from

home. In this way, people who do not have access to transport can find employment.

 Most products are built to last only a short time, and this creates a "throw-away"

culture.

 A global economy means free trade between countries. This can strengthen

political relationships.

The word "this" refers to the sentence or idea that came before. "This" helps you to link ideas and avoid repetition. Native speakers and good writers use "this" a lot, and the IELTS examiner will be impressed if you can use it.

IELTS Grammar: because

Students often make mistakes when using the word "because". You can't use "because" to connect ideas in two separate sentences. Put both the main idea and the reason in the same sentence.

Which sentence is NOT correct?