How Important is Punctuation for IELTS Writing Section?

In the IELTS writing task, students are also marked on how well or appropriately they use the Punctuation marks. Here, The sentence’s meaning changes entirely if a Punctuation mark is not used properly. Many students make the mistake of using a full stop to substitute a comma or vice-versa.

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

Can you see what’s wrong with this?

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

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

Now, each statement has its own full stop.

Also, You might consider it clumsy to use two short sentences in a row. You can write the sentence as: Norway has applied for EC membership, and Sweden is expected to do the same.

Now, Let us understand the use each Punctuation

Quick Read:

A. Period (full stop):

Use them to close sentences that:

• make statements,
• Also,give mild commands, and
• make polite requests;
• So, close indirect questions; and
• To write most abbreviations. For example : U.S.A. or F.I.FA.

Do not use them:

• Here, as a substitute for comma or colon

• to end an incomplete sentence (sentence without any context) or a phrase/idiom. for example He stared. Leaps and bounds.

B. Commas  

Comma Use them to:

• Separate items in a series

•Here, Set off parts of dates and addresses, and

• Set off quotations.

• Between subjects and verbs, verbs and objects or complements, and propositions and objects, or

• Here,Before the first or after the last item in a series.