IELTS writing task 2: Gaining a better control of punctuation by using commas correctly

To obtain a band score of 7 for writing task 2, you need to demonstrate good control of punctuation, so here we are going to look at 5 tips for the correct use of commas in sentences.

1. You should include a comma between each item in a list of 3 or more items. The comma before and/or at the end of the list is optional: A good diet includes sources of protein, fruit and vegetables/A good diet includes sources of protein, fruit, and vegetables.

2. You should place a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, or, so, but etc) that links 2 clauses: He doesn’t have a healthy diet (clause 1), and he is too sedentary (clause 2); Skipping meals earlier in the day can lead to overeating late in the evening (1), so it is better to eat regularly (2).

3. You should use a comma after a subordinate clause (e.g. an if clause) at the beginning of a sentence: If you have a food allergy, be sure to avoid any ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction; Although eating too much fast food makes people overweight, this is the staple diet for quite a large sector of the population.

4. You should use a comma after an introductory word or phrase: After a big dinner, it is a good idea to go for a little walk; Also, pre-packaged food can contain a lot of unhealthy additives.

5. Use commas to separate non-essential information that could be removed from a sentence without changing the meaning of the essential information (the parts in bold could be removed): A glass of fresh orange juice in the morning, which is high in vitamin c, is recommended to prevent a cold or the flu; Obesity, a world-wide problem, requires the urgent attention of government policy.