Common Grammar Mistakes in CELPIP Writing (and How to Fix Them)
By Rita · Writing · Published · 5 min read
Grammar is mainly judged under Readability, one of the four CELPIP Writing dimensions. A few small slips will not sink an answer, but repeated errors of the same kind make your writing harder to follow and limit your level. The good news is that most test takers make the same handful of mistakes, and each one can be fixed with a simple check. All examples below are original CELPass examples.
Why small grammar mistakes matter
Raters look at how accurately and how variedly you use grammar. Errors that confuse the meaning matter most, but frequent small errors (a missing article in every paragraph, for example) also add up. There is no spell checker or grammar checker on the test, so the checking is up to you.
The most effective approach is to know your own pattern. Most people repeat two or three types of mistake. Find yours in practice, then check specifically for those in the last few minutes of each task.
Articles: a, an and the
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| I bought coffee maker from your store. | I bought a coffee maker from your store. |
| The library is important place for the newcomers. | The library is an important place for newcomers. |
| I think the city should build new playground. | I think the city should build a new playground. |
Quick rule: a singular countable noun (coffee maker, place, playground) almost always needs a, an or the in front of it. Use "the" when the reader knows which one you mean, and no article when you talk about a general group in the plural (newcomers, parents, seniors).
Verb tenses that drift
In an email you often move between past (what happened), present (the situation now) and future (what you want). That is fine, as long as each verb matches its time.
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Last week I order a sofa and it arrive damaged. | Last week I ordered a sofa and it arrived damaged. |
| I live in this building since 2022. | I have lived in this building since 2022. |
| If you will send a replacement, I will be happy. | If you send a replacement, I will be happy. |
Watch for "since" and "for" with periods of time up to now (use the present perfect: have lived, have worked), and for "if" clauses about the future, which take the present tense.
Subject–verb agreement
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| The manager have agreed to meet us. | The manager has agreed to meet us. |
| One of the lights in the hallway are broken. | One of the lights in the hallway is broken. |
| Everyone in the building want a quieter gym. | Everyone in the building wants a quieter gym. |
Find the real subject, not the nearest noun. In "one of the lights", the subject is "one", so the verb is singular. Words like everyone, nobody and each also take a singular verb.
Run-on sentences and comma splices
Joining two complete sentences with only a comma is one of the most common Readability problems. So is a very long sentence that strings ideas together with "and".
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| The heater stopped working, I called the office twice. | The heater stopped working, so I called the office twice. / The heater stopped working. I called the office twice. |
| The park is popular, however it is crowded on weekends. | The park is popular. However, it is crowded on weekends. |
| I went to the store and I asked for help and they said to email you and I am doing that now. | I went to the store to ask for help. The staff suggested that I email you, so I am writing today. |
Fix it with a full stop, a joining word (and, but, so, because) or a semicolon if you are confident with it. Breaking long sentences up also makes it easier to check the rest of your grammar.
Prepositions and countable nouns
- "I am writing regarding about my order" → "I am writing regarding my order" or "I am writing about my order".
- "The meeting is in Monday at 3 p.m." → "The meeting is on Monday at 3 p.m." (on for days and dates, at for times, in for months and years).
- "I am interested for the position" → "I am interested in the position".
- "Can you give me some informations?" → "Can you give me some information?" (information, advice, furniture, equipment and feedback are uncountable).
- "There are less parking spaces now" → "There are fewer parking spaces now" (fewer for countable nouns).
Spelling without a spell checker
The CELPIP Writing screen has no spell checker, so spelling mistakes stay unless you catch them. Common trouble words in these tasks include:
- receive, believe, neighbour (Canadian spelling), necessary, accommodate, recommend, definitely, separate, convenient, environment
- their / there / they're, your / you're, its / it's, then / than, affect / effect
- Words you type fast: "teh", "adn", missing letters at the end of words
If you are unsure how to spell a word, choose a simpler word you are sure of. A correct, plain word is better than an impressive word spelled wrong.
A two-minute grammar check routine
- Read each sentence for its main verb: is the tense right, and does it agree with its subject?
- Scan for singular nouns without a, an or the.
- Look for commas joining two full sentences.
- Check your personal top mistake from practice, whatever it is.
- Fix typos last, starting with words that change the meaning.
CELPass marks each mistake in your practice answers with its type, so you can see which errors you repeat and turn them into a short daily drill.
Frequently asked questions
Will one grammar mistake lower my CELPIP Writing level?
Unlikely on its own. Raters look at overall control, so occasional slips matter less than repeated errors or errors that make the meaning unclear.
Should I use British, American or Canadian spelling?
Be consistent. CELPIP is a Canadian test, so Canadian spelling (neighbour, colour, centre) is natural, but what matters most is spelling words correctly and consistently.
Keep reading
CELPass is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Paragon Testing Enterprises. CELPIP is a trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises. Check the official CELPIP website and IRCC for current test rules and requirements.