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CELPIP Writing Course · Lesson 8 of 9

Grammar Errors That Cost the Most

By CELPass Editorial Team · 2 min read · Updated

You do not need perfect grammar to score well, but some errors are frequent and distracting. Fixing five of them makes a real difference to Readability.

The big five

ErrorWrongRight
Run-on sentenceThe heater broke, I called twice.The heater broke, so I called twice.
TenseLast week I go to the office.Last week I went to the office.
Subject–verbThe price of the tickets are high.The price of the tickets is high.
ArticlesI live in apartment near park.I live in an apartment near a park.
PrepositionsI am interested about the job.I am interested in the job.

Find your own pattern

Everyone has two or three errors they repeat. Look at your last few practice answers and count which type appears most. During your final check, search specifically for that error rather than rereading everything.

Sentence variety

Readability also rewards variety. Mix short sentences with longer ones that use because, which, although or if. Do this only where you are confident, since a long sentence with errors reads worse than two short correct ones.

Key points

  • Fix run-ons, tense, agreement, articles and prepositions.
  • Know your own top two errors and check for them.
  • Vary sentence length where you are confident.

Exercise

Correct each sentence.

  1. "Every residents in the building have a parking spot."
  2. "I have moved here in 2021."
  3. "The meeting is on Monday, I can't attend."
Show answers
  1. "Every resident in the building has a parking spot."
  2. "I moved here in 2021."
  3. "The meeting is on Monday, but I can't attend."

Practise with free questions

Free questions in the CELPIP format, with answers and no account needed. Try a few now, while the lesson is fresh.

All lessons in this course

  1. How CELPIP Writing Is Scored
  2. Planning in 3 Minutes
  3. Task 1: How to Structure the Email
  4. Formal, Semi-Formal and Informal Tone
  5. Task 2: Answering the Survey Question
  6. Paragraphs and Linking Words
  7. Precise Vocabulary Without Risk
  8. Grammar Errors That Cost the Most
  9. Timing and the Final Check

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