4 mistakes in IELTS Writing that cause a "plummeting" band score

There is a fact that no matter how well-structured your essay is, how rich your vocabulary is, or how great your ideas are, you will not be able to achieve a high band score (7.0+) if you make fundamental mistakes in IELTS Writing. In this article, PREP will point out four common errors in Writing and effective ways to address them!

1. Fragmented sentences

One of the most common mistakes in IELTS Writing that PREP wants to introduce is fragmented sentences. Fragmented sentences are incomplete or just fragments of a sentence. A complete sentence should have at least one main clause or independent clause.

Fragmented sentences often occur when a writer attempts to convey a thought that lacks a complete structure, resulting in a piece of text that can't stand alone as a sentence. This mistake is common among test-takers trying to impress with complex ideas but failing to ensure each sentence is complete. A deep understanding of sentence structure is crucial to avoid this pitfall. Fragmentation disrupts the flow of ideas, leaving the reader with an incomplete understanding of the message.

For example: Because some learners work part-time while taking a full load of classes.

• Error: Unable to express a complete idea due to the lack of an independent clause.
• Correction:
  • Option 1: Add an independent clause ➜ Because some learners work part-time while taking a full load of classes, they have very little free time.
  • Option 2: Remove the dependent conjunction (e.g., because) ➜ Some learners work part-time while taking a full load of classes.

2. Choppy sentences

Choppy sentences are among the common mistakes in IELTS Writing that candidates often encounter. They are excessively short sentences that can be considered monotonous in academic writing if used excessively.

For example: Wind is an enduring source of power. Water is also an unlimited energy source. Dams produce hydraulic power. They have existed for a long time. Windmills are relatively new.

Correction: Combine two or three short sentences to form a compound or complex sentence.

3. Run-on sentence & Comma splice

Run-on sentences are sentences in which two or more independent clauses are written without proper punctuation. Here are two examples:

• My family went to Japan then they emigrated to Canada.
• My family went to Japan, then they emigrated to Canada.

For both types of errors, the corrections are as follows:

• Add a period: My family went to Japan. Then they emigrated to Canada.
• Add a semicolon: My family went to Japan; then they emigrated to Canada.
• Add a coordinating conjunction: My family went to Japan, and then they emigrated to Canada.
• Add a subordinating conjunction: After my family went to Japan, they emigrated to Canada.

4. Stringy sentences

Stringy sentences are one of the common errors in Writing that candidates often encounter. They are sentences that contain too many independent clauses, often connected by AND, BUT, SO, BECAUSE. This is a consequence of writing with spoken language, continuously without a clear endpoint.

Although there is no specific rule limiting the number of independent clauses in a sentence, two is generally the maximum recommended. The correction can be done by breaking down the sentence or connecting the clauses using subordinating conjunctions.

• Incorrect sentence: Many students attend classes all morning, and then they work all afternoon, and they also have to study at night, so they are usually tired by the weekend
• Correction: Because many pupils attend classes all morning, work all afternoon, and study at night, they are usually exhausted by the weekend.

By recognizing and rectifying these four critical errors, you can significantly enhance the quality of your IELTS Writing tasks. Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing lies not only in what you say but also in how well you say it. For further assistance in your IELTS preparation journey, consider exploring PREP's comprehensive online IELTS preparation program, designed to address common pitfalls and sharpen your writing skills for a higher band score.

Read more articles:

• 5 Core Methods to Avoid Repetition in IELTS Writing!
• The "deadly" mistakes in paraphrasing for IELTS Writing - even when using a dictionary
• 3 5+5+2 - The Perfect Formula for IELTS Writing Band 7+

This article has provided the most basic mistakes in IELTS Writing that have been detailed in this compilation. If you need support to improve your IELTS preparation, feel free to refer to the online IELTS preparation program at PREP.