Common English Mistakes by Filipino IELTS Test-Takers—and How to Fix Them for Band 7+

Many Filipino IELTS candidates are strong English speakers, thanks to early exposure and education in English. However, certain localized expressions, habits, and grammatical patterns can still affect IELTS scores—especially in the Writing and Speaking sections.

This blog post identifies high-impact errors, explains why they occur, and provides Band-7+ alternatives with examples, dos and don’ts, FAQs, and success strategies.

Why Filipino Test-Takers Struggle Despite Being Fluent

Influence of Taglish (Tagalog + English)
Direct translation from Filipino
Familiarity with conversational or casual English, but not academic English
Use of Filipino-style grammar and logic in English structures

Common Errors and How to Fix Them

1. Redundancy and Wordiness

❌ Each and every one of the people should cooperate together.
✅ Everyone should cooperate.

Explanation: Filipino speech tends to emphasize through repetition. IELTS prefers conciseness and precision.

2. Incorrect Verb Tenses

❌ I am graduate of University of the Philippines.
✅ I graduated from the University of the Philippines.

Explanation: Mixing present and past tenses is common due to Tagalog structure. Always match the action with the correct time frame.

3. Misuse of Prepositions

❌ We discussed about the issue.
✅ We discussed the issue.
❌ Married with two children.
✅ Married to someone, with two children.

Explanation: Many prepositions are used differently in Filipino English. Always check standard usage.

4. Subject-Verb Agreement

❌ The number of cases have increased.
✅ The number of cases has increased.

Explanation: Even advanced learners often struggle with collective nouns and complex subjects.

5. Overuse of Formal Connectors in Speaking

❌ In addition to that, furthermore, I would like to mention…
✅ Also, I think… / Another point is…

Explanation: Formal discourse markers like “furthermore” sound unnatural in IELTS Speaking. Use neutral, conversational connectors.

6. Misused Vocabulary

❌ He was salvaged by the authorities.
✅ He was killed by the authorities.

Explanation: “Salvage” in Filipino English can mean “to kill extrajudicially,” but in international English, it means “to save.” Be aware of false friends.

7. Filipino-Influenced Sentence Structure

❌ That’s why I am late, because the traffic is heavy.
✅ I was late because of heavy traffic.

Explanation: Avoid using “That’s why…” as a sentence opener in IELTS Writing. It’s too informal and structurally weak.

8. Articles and Plural Forms

❌ She has talent in dancing.
✅ She has a talent for dancing.
❌ Many equipment are broken.
✅ Much of the equipment is broken.

Explanation: Article usage and uncountable nouns often cause confusion. Practice with article rules.

9. Code-Switching or Taglish Habits in Speaking

❌ You know po, the environment is, ano, polluted talaga.
✅ I believe the environment is extremely polluted.

Explanation: Code-switching and filler words (“po,” “ano,” “talaga”) are common in daily conversation but are unacceptable in IELTS.

10. Pronunciation Issues

Common issues:
- “V” vs. “B” → “very” becomes “bery”
- “Th” sounds → “think” becomes “tink’, “that” become “dat”
- Silent letters → Saying the “k” in “know”
- Syllable stress → Stressing the wrong syllable in words like “record,” “present,” “address”

Tip: Practice phonemic awareness and listen to native materials like TED Talks or IELTS Speaking samples.

Dos and Don’ts for Filipino IELTS Candidates

DO:

Use natural and neutral English in Speaking.
Practice writing essays with formal vocabulary and logical structure.
Read model Band 9 essays and compare them with your writing.
Use grammar-checking tools like Grammarly (but don’t over-rely on them).
Get feedback from a qualified IELTS coach or teacher.

DON’T:

Don’t memorize whole essays or use templates.
Don’t overuse expressions like “in order for us to be able to…”
Don’t translate from Filipino directly.
Don’t use Taglish or regional idioms.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use Filipino English in the IELTS exam?

A: No. IELTS is based on standard international English (British, American, Australian). Using Filipino English can result in confusion or miscommunication.

Q2: What should I do if I get stuck during the Speaking test?

A: Use natural fillers like “Let me think for a second” or “That’s an interesting question…” instead of Filipino fillers like “uhm, ano…”.

Q3: I know English, but I still get Band 6. Why?

A: You may have developed bad habits (Taglish expressions, incorrect grammar) that IELTS penalizes. High scores require accuracy, appropriateness, and fluency.

Top Strategies for IELTS Success

Record Yourself Speaking
– Listen for Taglish habits, pronunciation errors, and overused phrases.
Join English-only Discussion Groups
– Practice spontaneous speaking without code-switching.
Use IELTS-Specific Materials
– Focus on past papers, vocabulary lists, and Band 9 sample answers.
Rewrite Common Filipino Sentences into Academic English
– E.g., “I got late because traffic” → “I arrived late due to traffic congestion.”
Read and Imitate Academic Texts
– Use editorials, formal essays, and scientific articles to expand vocabulary and tone.

Final Thoughts

As a Filipino IELTS test-taker, you already have a strong foundation in English. But to score Band 7+, you need to move beyond Filipino English habits and adopt more international, academic usage. With practice, awareness, and the right strategies, you can elevate your English from conversational fluency to IELTS excellence.

You’ve got this.

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