A Quick Guide to Punctuation

Basically, the two punctuation marks you will need to use in IELTS reports, letters and essays are the full stop and comma. Exclamation (!) and question marks (?) might also be used in General Training letters, while parentheses could be used in Academic reports as well as in letters. You are advised to avoid using the colon (:), semi-colon (;) and dashes (–) if you do not know where they need to be used, since they are unnecessary.

Full Stop (.)
Full stops are generally used to mark the end of a sentence:
There has been a dramatic increase in the population of urban regions.

Comma (,)
Commas are used in longer sentences to separate information into readable units. They also often separate clauses in a sentence and sometimes come before a coordinator (e.g. “and”, “but”, etc.)

- A single comma ensures correct reading of a sentence which starts with a long introductor element:
Following efforts by pioneering scientists in the field of ecology, it has now been generally accepted that the world is gradually becoming warmer.

- A single comma is used after many starting linkers like “however”, moreover”, “basically” and such:
In contrast, water levels in Africa and Australia declined to reach an all-time low.

- Pairs of commas help in the middle of a sentence to set off any string of words which is either a parenthesis, or in contrast, to whatever went before:
A student, whether at school or university, needs to receive guidance and instructions on how to
use resources effectively and efficiently.

- Sets of comma act as a means of separating items in a list:
Workplaces like business offices, banks and schools would certainly require a more formal dresscode.

- Use a comma at the end of a subordinate clause that precedes its main clause:
Although the government has invested heavily in preparing students for higher education, many
university graduates still lack some basic academic skills.

- Non-restrictive relative clauses (relative clauses which provide information that can be left out without affecting the meaning or structure of the sentence) should be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma or commas:

A list of contents would have made it easier to steer through the book, which also lacks a
map.

Note: do not add a comma after “that” at the beginning of a clause:
It has been known for some time that many flaws in children’s behavior have roots in their genes.

Punctuation in compound and complex sentences: a short note

Compound sentences
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that connects two independent clauses:
- There are many problems with this approach, and many of its supporters have already voiced their concern.

Note that the comma is not used when both clauses share the same subject:
- Many people are trying to move to larger cities and look for better prospects.

Use a period or semicolon before a transition that connects two independent clauses:
- The problem has become more pressing over the years. However, the government seems to be ignoring it for the moment.

- Companies need younger workforce to replace retiring staff members; nevertheless, some believe that old experienced workforce should be kept in their jobs for as long as they can work.


Complex sentences
Use a comma after an introductory subordinate clause to separate it from the main:
- Although education seems to play a more important role in the development of a country, the role of art should not be overlooked.

Note that the comma is not used when the main clause precedes the subordinate clause unless the clause expresses contrast or exception (although, while, whereas):
-Mobile phones are very useful because they provide their users with a variety of entertainment and communication options.
-Many people think this is the right thing to do, whereas others completely reject it.