IELTS Grammar: 'lead to'

Students often make mistakes when using 'lead to' in their writing. What's the problem with these sentences?

1. Consumerism can lead to increase the economy.
2. Tourism can lead to destroy natural habitats.
3. A competitive atmosphere in lessons leads to motivate students.

The problem is that we need a noun or noun phrase after 'lead to', not a verb.

So, here are some some ways that you could rewrite the sentences:

1. Consumerism can lead to a more successful economy.
2. Tourism can lead to the destruction of natural habitats.
3. A competitive atmosphere in lessons motivates students.

Notice that in sentence 3 it is better to keep the verb 'motivates' and miss out 'leads to'.

Comments

[Nik]

Hi Simon,

I have learned a lot from your website. Thanks so much!
I did the exam today, the question about the writing part one is 4 pie charts, showing that the proportion of the imports from different country in US and Japan.
The topic in writing part two is "In many cities, people would like to live alone or with a small family rather than live with a huge group of family. Do you think it is negative or positive trend?
About the speaking, the part two is "what the most naughty thing you did when you were young?"
Although I answered in full 2 minutes, the later 1 minute I started losing the logical of what I was saying and repeating the same story in other way since I am and was not "naughty" at all. Will it has big effect in the score??
However, I think I spoke well in other part. The speaking part 3 is about dancing.
Have you ever leaned to dance? when is the last time you went to the place where people were dancing? what you think why people like to dance?

I hope I don't need to take the test for the second time!

Anyway, thank you again! this website is such a great help!

[Elena]

Simon, I coudn't not notice that all your sentences very informative and full of context, every single word, but at the same time they are simple - noun,verb, adverb/noun. I used to write very long sentences, (i thought this is the main idea of the IELTS writing high score- to write complex structures with two/three sentences in one) but they usually failed to illustrate the right context and appeared as a pointless empty sequences of words...

[Amin]

Hi Nik,
I hope you do not need to take the test again. Is it possible write the introduction that you wrote for the writing part one?

[Simon]

Hi Nik,

Thanks for sharing your questions. If your 1st minute was good, and the other 2 parts were also good, I think you'll be ok. Don't worry too much about repeating your ideas - this happens to most people.

Good luck, and thanks for your positive comments about the site.

...

Hi Elena,

I'm really pleased that you've noticed this. Too many students think that "long sentence = complex = high score" and this is not true. As you said, good sentences are full of information, and are written in a clear and logical way.

Simon

[Elena]

my second writing question for IELTS was:

Some people believe that robots are very important for the future development, while others argue that robots might have negative effects on society. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

[Simon]

Thanks Elena.

[Chris Sol]

A noun or noun phrase is necessary after the verb 'lead to'.

Thanks so much, Simon!

Chris Sol.