Comma Rules for IELTS and PTE Students

1. Use a comma after introductory words or phrases

These are words like however, for example, in conclusion, etc.

✅ Correct: In conclusion, people should recycle more. However, this trend has some disadvantages.

❌ Incorrect: In conclusion people should recycle more.

2. Use commas in a list of three or more items

When listing things, separate each item with a comma.

✅ Correct: Students need to practise listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

❌ Incorrect: Students need to practise listening reading writing and speaking.

3. Use a comma before a conjunction in a compound sentence

Use a comma before and, but, so, or, yet, and for when joining two full sentences.

✅ Correct: She studied hard, but she didn’t pass the test. He practised every day, so he

improved quickly.

❌ Incorrect: She studied hard but she didn’t pass the test.

4. Use commas to separate extra information

When you add non-essential (extra) information in the middle of a sentence, use commas to separate it.

✅ Correct: My teacher, who is from Sydney, is very strict. Online courses, which are very popular, are often cheaper.

❌ Incorrect: My teacher who is from Sydney is very strict.

5. Use a comma after a dependent clause at the beginning

When the sentence starts with because, although, if, when, while, etc., use a comma after the first part.

✅ Correct: Although the test was difficult, he passed with a high score. If you practise every day, your score will improve.

❌ Incorrect: Although the test was difficult he passed with a high score.

6. Use a comma before directly addressing someone

When you're speaking to someone in a sentence (called direct address), you must separate their name or title with a comma.

✅ Correct: Let’s eat, Grandma. Thanks, Mike. Sorry, teacher, I forgot my book. Yes, sir, I understand.

❌ Incorrect: Let’s eat Grandma. Thanks Mike. Sorry teacher I forgot my book.

7. Use commas with dates, places and numbers

✅ Correct: I was born on May 5, 1990, in Melbourne, Australia. The population is 1,234,567.

8. Don’t use a comma between the subject and verb

This is a very common mistake among students!

❌ Incorrect: The biggest challenge, is time management. IELTS writing, is very formal.

✅ Correct: The biggest challenge is time management. IELTS writing is very formal.

👇 Bonus Tip:

Using commas correctly shows control of grammar and punctuation, which is part of the IELTS Writing Band Descriptors and PTE Enabling Skills.

✍️ Master IELTS and PTE Comma Rules with Expert Help

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