Let’s be honest—grammar isn’t the most glamorous part of English. It’s not flashy like vocabulary or expressive like pronunciation, but when it comes to IELTS Speaking, grammar is your silent partner that makes everything else shine. In fact, grammar accounts for 25% of your speaking score, according to the IELTS Band Descriptors by Cambridge English. So yes, that misplaced tense or rogue article could literally cost you a whole band!
Now, before you imagine yourself trapped in a never-ending grammar lecture, relax. This blog isn’t about drilling you with textbook rules—it’s about helping you spot those sneaky grammar mistakes that often trip up even confident speakers. And we’ll do it with real-life examples, easy fixes, and maybe a few laughs along the way (because let’s face it, English can be hilariously confusing—why is “read” pronounced differently in the past tense?).
So grab your metaphorical red pen, or better yet, a cup of coffee, and let’s get ready to outsmart grammar gremlins—the IELTS way!
Conclusion
Think of IELTS Speaking as a performance—you’re the star, but grammar is your supporting actor. Get it right, and your whole act becomes more polished, credible, and—yes—scorable. But don’t stress. Mistakes are part of learning, and if you've ever said “I am knowing the answer,” congratulations—you’re officially a member of the “Oops-I-Meant-It-Differently” club (we’ve all been there!).
The key is awareness. The moment you recognize a pattern of error, you’ve already taken the first step to correcting it. According to a study by the British Council, candidates who actively worked on grammar improvement over a 4-week period improved their speaking score by up to 0.5 bands—and that’s no small win!
So, keep practicing, keep laughing at your mistakes, and most importantly, keep speaking. Because fluency is built with trial, error, and a whole lot of talking to yourself in the mirror.