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How Important is Punctuation for IELTS Writing Section?

In the IELTS writing task, students are evaluated not only on their ideas and language usage but also on how well they use punctuation marks.

Importance of Punctuation in the IELTS Writing Section

 

In the IELTS writing task, students are evaluated not only on their ideas and language usage but also on how well they use punctuation marks. Correct usage of punctuation is crucial as it can entirely change the meaning of a sentence if not used properly. Many students mistakenly use a full stop to replace a comma or vice versa.

 

For example: “Norway has applied for EC membership, Sweden is expected to do the same.”

 

Can you identify what’s wrong with this sentence?

 

Yes, there are two complete statements, but instead of a full stop, there is a comma, which does not end the sentence but gives it a pause. This needs to be corrected. The simplest way to fix the example is to change the comma to a full stop.

 

Corrected sentence: “Norway has applied for EC membership. Sweden is expected to do the same.”

 

Now, each statement has its own full stop.

 

Furthermore, using two short sentences in a row might seem clumsy. An alternative way to write the sentence is: “Norway has applied for EC membership, and Sweden is expected to do the same.”

 

Now, let’s understand the use of each punctuation mark.

 

Quick Guide:

A. Period (full stop):

Use them to close sentences that:

 

– Make statements.

– Give mild commands.

– Make polite requests.

– Close indirect questions.

– Write most abbreviations. For example: U.S.A. or F.I.F.A.

 

Do not use periods:

 

– As a substitute for a comma or colon.

– To end an incomplete sentence or a phrase/idiom. For example: “He stared. Leaps and bounds.”

 

B. Commas:

Use commas to:

 

– Separate items in a series.

– Set off parts of dates and addresses.

– Set off quotations.

– Indicate a pause between subjects and verbs, verbs and objects or complements, and prepositions and objects.

– Use a comma before the first or after the last item in a series.

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