IELTS Practice

We have been checking many writing tasks from students and one of the very common mistakes even advanced learners can make is wrong punctuation.

Hence, we are writing this article with the aim to improve your writing skills, especially for those who usually make this kind of mistake.

1) The last word ends in a period

For example: "C.E.O." is an abbreviation of Chief Executive Officer and ends in a period.

Correct: I know that C.E.O. He used to be my boss.

Wrong: I know that C.E.O.. He used to be my boss.

2) Comma after the following phrases:

In summary,

However,

To begin,

Furthermore,

Instead,

Firstly,

Secondly,

Even advanced IELTS learners can also make these mistakes.
Take a look at this writing and try to figure out what's wrong in punctuation: IELTS Writing

3) Never use excessive punctuation!!!!! This will not create a greater sense of urgency or strong emotion, especially in formal writing.

4) Spacing after punctuation: after a period or comma, you have to put a space.

For example: "To begin, happiness is hard to be defined as different people may have very different concepts of happiness."



After "To begin", we have to put a space.

5) Periods and commas always go inside of quotation marks.

Example: "I think you're great."

6) When doing this "..." you should use only 3 dots.

7) When using dashes, use two in a row.

Example: Punctuation -- 9 Rules.

8) Use no spaces on either side of a hyphen.

Example: We need twenty-four boxes.

9) Use a question mark only after a direct question.

Example: May I ask you a question?