IELTS punctuation accuracy drills practice

Comma Usage

For IELTS test takers aiming for a band score between 6.5 and 7.5, mastering punctuation is crucial. Accurate comma usage enhances coherence and cohesion in your writing and speaking responses, which are key IELTS scoring criteria. In this post, we will explore essential comma rules with clear examples, highlight common pitfalls, offer practical tips, and provide a practice question to test your understanding.

Rule Explanation

Commas serve several important purposes in English:

1. Separate items in a series
   • Use commas to list three or more items. The Oxford comma, placed before the coordinating conjunction, can prevent ambiguity in complex lists.
2. Set off introductory elements
   • Place a comma after introductory words, phrases, or clauses that precede the main clause to indicate a natural pause.
3. Enclose non restrictive clauses
   • Non restrictive clauses add extra information without altering the core meaning of the sentence and should be surrounded by commas, whereas restrictive clauses should not be set off.
4. Separate coordinate adjectives
   • When two or more adjectives equally modify a noun, use a comma between them. You can test this by inserting the word and between adjectives to see if the sentence still makes sense.
5. Indicate direct address and interjections
   • Use commas to separate the name of the person being addressed, to offset interjections, and to mark tag questions.

Examples

• Correct: I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.

  Lists three items with an Oxford comma, improving clarity.

• Correct: After finishing her homework, Lucy went out to play.

  A comma follows the introductory clause to separate it from the main action.

• Correct: My brother, who lives in Canada, is visiting next month.

  Encloses a non restrictive clause that adds extra details.

• Correct: She was a tall, elegant woman.

  Separates coordinate adjectives that describe the noun equally.

• Correct: Thank you, Sarah, for your help.

  Uses commas to indicate direct address by setting off the name.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Incorrect: She bought apples oranges and bananas

  Missing commas in a list can lead to confusion about the items.

• Incorrect: The train which was late arrived

  Non restrictive clause without commas appears as essential information.

• Incorrect: He ran quickly but missed the bus

  Two independent clauses should be separated by a comma before the coordinating conjunction.

Tips for Mastering Commas

• Read your sentences aloud to locate natural pauses. Doing this helps you hear where commas should go to indicate a pause in speech.
• Identify subordinate and coordinate clauses before writing to determine comma placement. Breaking down complex sentences into clauses clarifies comma needs.
• Revise your drafts focusing on punctuation accuracy, not just content. Look for lists, introductory elements, and extra information that require commas.

Consistent application of these rules will help you internalize comma usage and improve the readability of your responses.

Why It Matters for IELTS

Effective comma usage improves the clarity of your ideas and the flow of your sentences. In the IELTS writing section, examiners look for a range of punctuation structures to assess sentence variety and accuracy. Similarly, in speaking, correct punctuation parallels natural pausing and enhances listener comprehension. Practicing these rules will help you avoid run on sentences and comma splices, contributing to a higher band score.

Practice Question

Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:

If you study hard__ you will achieve a high score.

A) ;
B) ,
C) .
D) :

Show Answer

Answer: B) ,
Explanation: A comma separates the dependent clause from the main clause, ensuring a clear pause between the condition and result.

Key Takeaways

• Use commas for lists, introductory elements, non restrictive clauses, coordinate adjectives, and direct address.
• Avoid missing commas in lists and omitting commas around extra information.
• Practice grammar correction examples with Lingo Copilot