Why French Writing Mistakes Are So Costly in Exams

In the TCF Canada written expression tasks, examiners score you on four criteria: content, coherence, lexical range, and grammatical accuracy. Most candidates lose points not on what they say, but how they say it. These seven mistakes are the most consistent mark-killers.

Sin #1: Starting Every Sentence with "Je"

Nothing signals a low-level French writer faster than paragraph after paragraph that begins:
Je pense que... Je crois que... Je pense aussi que...

The fix: Vary your sentence openings with:

À mon avis, cette politique est inefficace.
Il convient de noter que les résultats sont mitigés.
Selon certains experts, la situation s'améliore.
Force est de constater que des progrès ont été réalisés.

Sin #2: Using "Beaucoup des" Instead of "Beaucoup de"

This single error appears in thousands of TCF essays every year. After any quantity expression, the article disappears — you use bare de.

❌ Beaucoup des gens pensent que...
✅ Beaucoup de gens pensent que...
✅ Un grand nombre de personnes estiment...
✅ La majorité des experts s'accordent à dire... (des after "la majorité" is correct!)

Sin #3: No Connectors Between Ideas

Weak essays read like a list of disconnected facts. Strong essays use logical connectors to guide the reader through an argument.

Master these four categories of connectors:

Addition: De plus, en outre, par ailleurs, qui plus est
Contrast: Cependant, néanmoins, en revanche, toutefois
Consequence: Par conséquent, ainsi, c'est pourquoi, donc
Concession: Bien que (+ subjonctif), même si, malgré, quoique

An examiner can instantly tell the difference between a B1 essay (no connectors) and a B2/C1 essay (fluid connectors throughout).

Sin #4: Using "Malgré que" with the Indicative

This is one of the most common grammar errors — and one examiners specifically look for.

❌ Malgré que il pleut, je sors.
✅ Bien qu'il pleuve, je sors. (Bien que takes the subjunctive)
✅ Malgré la pluie, je sors. (Malgré takes a noun, not a clause)

The rule: malgré is followed by a noun or pronoun; bien que is followed by a clause in the subjunctive.

Sin #5: Forgetting Subjunctive After Key Verbs

The subjunctive is unavoidable in B2-level writing. Forgetting it signals an exam ceiling at B1.

Triggers that require subjunctive:

Il faut que + subj.: Il faut que chacun fasse sa part.
Bien que + subj.: Bien que ce soit difficile, c'est possible.
Pour que + subj.: Pour que les choses changent, il faut agir.
À condition que + subj.: À condition que vous soyez motivé.

Sin #6: Repetitive Vocabulary ("intéressant", "important", "problème")

These three words are the crutches of every weak French essay. Examiners have read thousands of essays that call everything intéressant and important.

Upgrade your vocabulary:

intéressant → pertinent, révélateur, instructif, édifiant
important → capital, crucial, fondamental, primordial, déterminant
problème → enjeu, défi, obstacle, difficulté, lacune
montrer → démontrer, mettre en évidence, illustrer, révéler

Sin #7: Ignoring the Required Word Count

In the TCF Canada Task 2 (the long essay), you must write 160–180 words minimum. Going significantly under = automatic mark reduction. Going significantly over wastes time and risks introducing more errors.

The fix: Practice counting words. Develop a template essay structure that naturally hits 160–180 words:

Introduction (25–30 words): Introduce the topic and your position.
Argument 1 + example (45–50 words): Main point with connector + evidence.
Argument 2 + example (45–50 words): Second point, contrasting connector.
Nuance/concession (25–30 words): Acknowledge the other side.
Conclusion (20–25 words): Restate your position, call to action or future outlook.

The Writing Checklist

Before you submit your TCF essay, run through this 60-second check:

☑ At least 4 different connectors used?
☑ No two sentences in a row starting with "Je"?
☑ "Beaucoup de" (not "des") checked?
☑ Subjunctive correct after bien que, il faut que?
☑ Replaced at least one important/intéressant with a better word?
☑ Word count is 160+ words?

Eliminate these seven sins and your written expression score will improve by at least one CLB level.

For live corrections and mock exam practice, our coaching program pairs you with a tutor who scores your attempts.

For the full exam breakdown, see our TCF Canada exam guide.

7 Deadly Sins of French Writing (And How to Fix Them)