IELTS Energy 1590: Don’t Let Tiny Words Ruin Your IELTS Score
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Tiny prepositions like 'in', 'on', and 'of' are silently sabotaging IELTS scores—despite being small, they carry massive weight in grammar assessment. Aubrey Carter and Lindsay McMahon expose the top four preposition traps that plague test-takers: 'interested about' (should be 'interested in'), 'depend of' (must be 'depend on'), 'capable to' (correct is 'capable of'), and the confusing noun-verb split with 'lack'—where 'lack' as a verb doesn’t take 'of', but 'a lack of' does. These aren’t just grammar quirks—they’re common errors that lower band scores in both speaking and writing. The real fix? Stop translating from your native language and start absorbing English in chunks. By listening like a language learner—observing how prepositions naturally pair with verbs and nouns—test-takers can internalize correct usage without overthinking. The episode reveals that fluency isn’t just about speaking more, but about listening more strategically.
Replace 'interested about' with 'interested in' to avoid a common grammar error that lowers IELTS speaking and writing scores.
Use 'depend on', not 'depend of', when discussing reliance or conditions—this applies to both emotional support and budget-based decisions.
Say 'capable of' not 'capable to'—this mistake is caused by confusing synonyms like 'able to' and 'capable of'.
Use 'lack' as a verb without 'of' (e.g., 'many towns lack public transport'), but use 'a lack of' when it's a noun (e.g., 'a lack of affordable housing').
Learn prepositions in context, not in isolation—study them as chunks like 'interested in' or 'frightened of' to sound natural.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Hidden Killer of IELTS Scores: Prepositions
“Tiny words that unfortunately can greatly throw you off, can affect your scores on both IELTS speaking and writing.”
Top 4 Preposition Mistakes That Lower Your Band Score
“You have to know we say interested in. It doesn't feel intuitive, right? And we kind of just have to know them.”
Why Direct Translation Fails and How to Fix It
“Don't translate from your native language. Practice answering IELTS speaking questions directly from English using the prepositions that you've been observing.”
The Real Secret to Preposition Mastery: Observational Learning
The hosts reveal that true fluency comes from listening like a child—absorbing natural language patterns without pressure to produce. They share personal examples of learning through passive listening at language meetups.
Actionable Strategies to Avoid Preposition Errors
Final tips include learning prepositions in chunks, paying attention to collocations in media, and practicing by listening to advanced speakers. The hosts encourage listeners to use the free fluency quiz and revisit past episodes for more strategies.
“Don't translate from your native language. Practice answering IELTS speaking questions directly from English using the prepositions that you've been observing.”
“Even as you are preparing for the speaking exam, a lot of your preposition is about listening and observing to language so that you can create it correctly.”
“The real fix? Stop translating from your native language and start absorbing English in chunks.”
Hosts
aubrey carter
person
lindsay mcmahon
person
allearsenglish.com
product
all ears english
organization
ielts energy podcast
media
devk
organization
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