Why punctuation matters

• It guides the reader’s eyes and prevents misreading.
• In IELTS, it supports Coherence & Cohesion and Grammatical Range & Accuracy.
• Good punctuation = fewer sentence-structure errors.

1) The Comma (,)

A. Coordinate items (lists)

• Use commas between three or more items.
  • We bought pens, paper, and folders. (Oxford comma optional; be consistent.)

B. Two independent clauses with a coordinator (FANBOYS)

• Use comma + for/and/nor/but/or/yet/so.
  • The policy is popular, but funding is limited.
• ❌ Run-on: The policy is popular, funding is limited.
  ✅ The policy is popular, and funding is limited.

C. Introductory elements

• After a short intro phrase/clause.
  • In 2019, unemployment fell. / After the trial, results improved.

D. Nonessential (extra) information

• Set off non-restrictive clauses/phrases.
  • The metro, which opened in 2013, now serves 2 million.
• Don’t comma restrictive info (needed to identify).
  • Students who study daily improve faster. (no commas)

E. Adverbs/discourse markers

• However, therefore, for example, in contrast, etc., usually take a comma when they start a clause.
  • However, the sample was small.

F. Numbers, dates, and place names

• 1,250; October 7, 2025, was rainy.; Dhaka, Bangladesh, is crowded.

G. When NOT to use a comma

• Between subject and verb: ❌ The rise in prices, was sharp.
• Before that-clauses (generally): ❌ She said, that prices rose.

Common IELTS fix

• ❌ In 2010 the rate increased, and by 2015 fell again. (missing subject in second clause)
  ✅ In 2010 the rate increased, and by 2015 it fell again.

2) The Period (Full Stop) (.)

• Ends a complete thought (independent clause).
  • The graph shows three trends.
• Use to avoid run-ons; prefer two clear sentences over one long, confused sentence.
  • ❌ The policy failed, it was too costly.
    ✅ The policy failed. It was too costly.
• Abbreviations: e.g., i.e., etc. (avoid overuse in formal essays; write out phrases where possible).

Rhythm tip: Draft long; in revision, replace one weak comma with a period where two ideas stand alone.

3) The Hyphen (-)

Purpose: join words to form a single idea; prevent ambiguity.

A. Compound modifiers before a noun

• a well-designed study; long-term plan; high-income countries
• If the modifier comes after the noun, usually no hyphen:
  • The study is well designed.

B. Numbers & units used adjectivally

• a 10-year strategy; a 300-page report; a two-hour meeting
• No plural s on the unit in compound adjectives:
  • a 5-minute walk (not 5-minutes)

C. Prefixes for clarity

• re-elect, anti-inflammatory, co-operate (BrE); when misreading is possible, hyphen helps.

D. Spelling out fractions and ranges (as adjectives)

• a two-thirds majority; a three-to-five-year window
  (Note: number ranges in formal writing may use an en dash: 2010–2015. If that’s not available, write “2010 to 2015”.)

E. Avoid over-hyphenation

• Don’t hyphenate common open compounds after the noun: cost effective → The solution is cost effective.
• Don’t hyphenate with -ly adverbs: a highly effective plan (no hyphen).

Meaning saver

• small business owner vs small-business owner (Is the owner small, or the business type small? Hyphen clarifies.)

Before → After (quick fixes)

• Commas in lists
  • ❌ We need paper pens markers.
    ✅ We need paper, pens, and markers.
• Run-on to period
  • ❌ The test was difficult, many failed.
    ✅ The test was difficult. Many failed.
• Hyphen for clarity
  • ❌ a five year old policy
    ✅ a five-year-old policy
• Nonessential info
  • ❌ The river which runs through the city is polluted. (nonessential)
    ✅ The river, which runs through the city, is polluted.

IELTS-specific guidance

Task 1 (data)

• Use periods to break long trend descriptions.
• Use commas for intro time phrases and nonessential details.
• Hyphenate compound adjective + noun: year-on-year growth, first-quarter sales.

Task 2 (argument)

• Prefer two crisp sentences over one comma-spliced line.
• Hyphenate precise modifiers: evidence-based policy, high-risk areas.

Speaking

• Punctuation is invisible, but practicing with clear sentence ends (periods) reduces run-on speech.

1-Minute Checklist

1. List? Use commas between three or more items.
2. Two full ideas? Consider a period (or comma + FANBOYS).
3. Intro/extra info? Use a comma; remove it for restrictive info.
4. Compound before a noun? Hyphenate (long-term goal, low-income group).
5. Any comma between subject and verb? Delete it.

Mini Drills (answers below)

A. Add commas/periods where needed.

1. After the pilot phase results improved significantly.
2. The city expanded the line however funding remained limited.
3. The policy was costly it failed to deliver benefits.

B. Add hyphens where needed.
4) The report outlines a ten year plan.
5) This is a data driven approach.
6) A five minute delay affected results.

Answers:

1. After the pilot phase, results improved significantly.
2. The city expanded the line; however, funding remained limited. (or period before However)
3. The policy was costly. It failed to deliver benefits.
4. a ten-year plan
5. a data-driven approach
6. a five-minute delay

Practice paragraph (self-check)

In 2020 investment rose sharply however growth slowed in 2021 the city launched a pilot program which focused on low income districts this program delivered short term gains.
Fix (one option):
In 2020, investment rose sharply. However, growth slowed in 2021. The city launched a pilot program, which focused on low-income districts. This program delivered short-term gains.

Build the habit (3 steps)

1. Draft freely.
2. On revision, do a punctuation pass: lists, intros, extra info, clause breaks, compounds.
3. Read aloud; where you naturally pause hard → consider a period.