Common Punctuation Problems and How to Fix Them for IELTS Writing Task 2

Band‑6 essays often join two complete sentences with just a comma or no proper connection at all. This is one of the most common punctuation errors.

Band 6 example:

Many people move to cities, they want better job opportunities.

• Two full sentences incorrectly joined with a comma (comma splice).

Band 7 revisions:

• Many people move to cities because they want better job opportunities. (Add a conjunction)
• Many people move to cities. They want better job opportunities. (Use a full stop)
• Many people move to cities, and they want better job opportunities. (Use a conjunction after the comma)

Upgrade routine:

• When you see “comma + subject + verb,” ask: “Is this a new sentence?”

• If yes, add a linking word or change the comma to a full stop.

Also read:

Mastering Linking Words for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

What is Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Another band‑6 pattern is writing very long sentences with no commas at all, which makes the structure hard to follow.

Band 6 example:

When governments invest more money in public transport systems people are more likely to leave their cars at home and this can reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in large cities.

• This is readable but heavy.

Band 7 revision:

When governments invest more money in public transport systems, people are more likely to leave their cars at home, and this can reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in large cities.

• Use a comma after introductory clauses that begin with “When, If, Although, While, Because, Since.”
• Use a comma before “and/but” when they join two longer clauses and the sentence is complex.

Upgrade routine:

• In your final check, scan for sentences starting with “When/If/Although/While/Because/Since” and add a comma after the first clause if it’s missing.

Also read:

Common Sentence Structure Problems and How to Fix Them for IELTS Writing Task 2

Proofreading Skills for IELTS Writing Task 2

What is Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Some band‑6 writers put commas everywhere, breaking sentences into unnatural pieces and making the flow choppy.

Band 6 example:

Governments, should, in my opinion, focus on improving, public services.

Band 7 revisions:

• Governments should, in my opinion, focus on improving public services.
• In my opinion, governments should focus on improving public services.
  • Use commas to separate clauses, mark non‑essential information (“in my opinion,” “for example”), and separate items in a list.
    
  • Do not put commas between a subject and its verb (“Governments, should focus…” is wrong).

Upgrade routine:

• Read the sentence silently as if you are speaking.

• If you would not naturally pause there, you probably do not need a comma.

• Remove any comma directly before a main verb (“should focus,” “need to improve,” etc.) unless you are closing a non‑essential phrase.

Also read:

What is Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Band‑6 writers sometimes add useful phrases like “in my opinion” or “for example” but forget to separate them from the rest of the sentence, which can make the sentence look unpolished.

Band 6 examples:

• In my opinion governments should invest more in public transport.
• Governments should invest more in public transport for example they could improve bus networks.

Band 7 revisions:

• In my opinion, governments should invest more in public transport.
• Governments should invest more in public transport; for example, they could improve bus networks.

or

• Governments should invest more in public transport. For example, they could improve bus networks.

Upgrade routine:

• Treat “in my opinion,” “for example,” “for instance,” “in conclusion” as separate units: usually followed by a comma.
• If “for example” is in the middle of a sentence, usually put commas around it: “Governments could, for example, subsidise train tickets.”

Also read:

Proofreading Skills for IELTS Writing Task 2

What is Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Band‑6 essays often mix up where to use a comma, a full stop, and a linking word.

Band 6 examples:

• Many people move to cities. They want better jobs. This causes problems.
  • Too many short sentences with only full stops.
    

• Many people move to cities, they want better jobs, this causes problems for governments.
  • One huge sentence with only commas.

Band 7 revision:

• Many people move to cities because they want better jobs. However, this trend causes problems for governments.
  • Combine related ideas, but only when you can control the structure.

Upgrade routine:

• After writing, choose one paragraph.

• Combine two very short, closely related sentences.

• Fix one comma splice by adding a linking word or a full stop.

Also read:

Mastering Linking Words for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

What is Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

At band 6, punctuation often fails to show how ideas relate (cause, contrast, result), so cohesion depends only on linking words.

Band 6 example:

Many people move to cities because they want better jobs and governments must deal with the problems.

Band 7 revisions:

• Many people move to cities because they want better jobs, so governments must deal with the resulting problems.
• Many people move to cities because they want better jobs. As a result, governments must deal with the resulting problems.

Upgrade routine:

• When your sentence expresses a result, consider “so + clause,” or full stop + “As a result/Consequently/Therefore, …”
• Use punctuation to highlight the cause–effect relationship, not just to keep words from running together.

Also read:

Mastering Linking Words for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

What is Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

While paragraphing itself is more about Coherence and Cohesion, poor use of line breaks and spacing also affects how easy your punctuation is to follow.

Band 6 pattern:

Very long blocks of text with no clear separation between ideas.

Band 7 expectation:

Clear paragraphs, each with one main idea, make punctuation easier to handle and your argument easier to follow.

Upgrade routine:

• Plan for Introduction, Body paragraph 1 (main reason or problem), Body paragraph 2 (another reason, problem, or solution), and Conclusion
• Start each paragraph on a new line and leave a little space between paragraphs if possible.

Also read:

Upgrading Coherence in IELTS Writing Task 2

What is Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

At band 6, candidates either never use semicolons or use them randomly, treating them like “strong commas.” Misusing semicolons can make sentences look forced or incorrect.

Band 6 examples:

• Many people move to cities for better jobs; so that this trend has created serious housing shortages.
  • Semicolon used before a subordinate conjunction (“because,” “although,” “if,” “so that”).
• Pollution is rising in many countries; and governments cannot ignore this problem any longer.
  • Semicolon plus “and/but” where a comma would be more natural.

Band 7 revisions:

• Many people move to cities for better jobs; this trend has created serious housing shortages.
• Pollution is rising in many countries; governments cannot ignore this problem any longer.
  • A semicolon typically joins two closely related complete sentences when you do not use a conjunction.

When to use what:

• Use a comma + conjunction for most complex sentences:
  “Many people move to cities, and this trend has created serious housing shortages.”
• Use a semicolon if you want a slightly stronger break between two closely related sentences without “and/but/because”:
  “Many people move to cities for better jobs; this trend has created serious housing shortages.”

Upgrade routine:

• Before using a semicolon, ask “Do I have a full sentence before and after it (subject + verb each side)?” and “Do I prefer not to use ‘and/but/because’ right after the semicolon?”
• If the answer to either question is “no,” replace the semicolon with a comma + conjunction or a full stop.

Also read:

What is Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

For many candidates stuck at band 6, punctuation is an overlooked but powerful way to improve Grammatical Range and Accuracy and overall coherence. By learning when to join and when to separate sentences, using commas to guide the reader—not confuse them—and building simple checking habits, you can make your writing much clearer and more professional. With regular practice applying the routines in this article, your punctuation will become cleaner, your sentences easier to read, and your Task 2 writing much closer to band 7.

An Introduction to IELTS Academic Test

Everything You Need to Know about IELTS Academic Writing Test

An Overview of IELTS Writing Task 2

How IELTS Writing Task 2 is Assessed

What is Task Response in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Task Response Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Generate Ideas for 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types with WH- Questions

How to Stay on Topic in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Develop Your Position in IELTS Writing Task 2

Writing Thesis Statements for IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

What is Coherence and Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Coherence and Cohesion Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Upgrading Coherence in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Apply 5 Introduction Approaches to 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

Paraphrasing in IELTS Writing Task 2 for Introduction

Practical Topic Sentence Writing Skills for Better Coherence in IELTS Writing Task 2

Practical Body Paragraph Writing Skills for Better Coherence in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Apply 5 Conclusion Approaches to 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

Summarizing IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay in Conclusion

Upgrading Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Linking Words for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Reference Words for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Substitution for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Ellipsis for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Lexical Cohesion for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

What is Lexical Resource in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Lexical Resource Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Vocabulary Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

Collocation Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

Spelling Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

Paraphrasing Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

What is Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Common Sentence Structure Problems and How to Fix Them for IELTS Writing Task 2

Common Grammar Problems and How to Fix them for IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to the 5 Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to 14 Common Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2

General Test Skills for IELTS Writing Task 2

Time Management Skills for IELTS Writing Task 2

Proofreading Skills for IELTS Writing Task 2

Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Overview of IELTS Writing Task 1

How IELTS Writing Task 1 is Assessed

What is Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 1 and how to reach Band 7+?