TCF Canada Grammar: 50 Common Mistakes that Kill Your NCLC 7 Score

You can have the best ideas in the world, but if your grammar is full of "basic" errors, the TCF Canada examiners will cap your score at an NCLC 5 or 6.

In the Writing and Speaking sections, the TCF is looking for precision. A single misplaced preposition or a wrong verb tense can change the meaning of your entire argument.

At PrepMyFrench, we’ve graded over 50,000 AI-powered attempts. We’ve spotted the 50 most common "score-killers." Here is the list you need to memorize to secure your NCLC 7+.

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1. The "Preposition" Pitfalls

• Mistake: Je vais à le magasin.
• Correction: Je vais au magasin. (Contracted articles are non-negotiable).
• Mistake: Je pense à mon ami. vs Je pense de mon ami.
• Correction: Use Penser à for "thinking about" and Penser de for "having an opinion on."
• Mistake: Sur le weekend.
• Correction: Pendant le weekend or just Le weekend.

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2. The "Subjunctive" Sabotage

Many candidates try to use the subjunctive to "show off" but use it incorrectly.

• Mistake: Il faut que je vais.
• Correction: Il faut que j'aille.
• Mistake: Je pense qu'il soit...
• Correction: Je pense qu'il est... (The subjunctive is NOT used after "Je pense que" in the affirmative).

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3. The "Gender" Guessing Game

• Mistake: Le problème vs La problème.
• Correction: Le problème. Words ending in -ème are almost always masculine.
• Mistake: La décision vs Le décision.
• Correction: La décision. Words ending in -ion are almost always feminine.

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4. Top 10 High-Impact Corrections

1. C'est vs Il est: Use C'est for nouns, Il est for adjectives describing a specific person.
2. Beaucoup de: It is always Beaucoup de, never Beaucoup des.
3. An vs Année: Use An for numbers (3 ans), Année for duration or quality (Une belle année).
4. Si + Imparfait = Conditionnel: Si j'avais (Imparfait) le temps, je le ferais (Conditionnel).
5. Passé Composé vs Imparfait: Actions vs Descriptions. (See our Past Tense Masterclass).

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5. How to Fix Your Grammar in 30 Days

Don't try to learn everything. Use Focused Correction.

1. Take a PrepMyFrench Grammar Diagnostic.
2. Identify your top 3 recurring errors.
3. Practice specifically those 3 until they are automatic.

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Conclusion: Accuracy is the Foundation

The TCF Canada isn't a test of "fluency"; it’s a test of competence. By removing these 50 common mistakes, you build a solid foundation that allows your advanced vocabulary and complex ideas to shine.

Audit your grammar with our AI Grader now →