Distinguishing confusing prepositions in IELTS Writing Task 1

While Writing Task 2 poses challenges for candidates in generating ideas and organizing their essays, Writing Task 1 requires students to have good analytical and information-filtering skills, as well as the ability to use precise vocabulary to describe charts. In particular, the use of prepositions in Writing Task 1 is essential for expressing increases/decreases, fluctuations, and time frames.

However, due to the wide range of prepositions used, candidates often confuse their usage, resulting in unfortunate point deductions in their writing. Therefore, in this article, PREP will help you differentiate the usage of prepositions in IELTS Writing Task 1 to avoid unnecessary confusion in the future!

I. Usage of the preposition "At" in IELTS Writing Task 1

Here is how the preposition "At" is used in IELTS Writing Task 1. Let's explore the detailed usage of prepositions in IELTS Writing Task 1 together with PREP!

II. Usage of the preposition "To" in IELTS Writing Task 1

The next preposition that PREP wants to introduce is the preposition "To". So, how is it used in Writing Task 1? Let's explore the detailed usage of prepositions in IELTS Writing Task 1 together with PREP!

III. Usage of the preposition "By" in IELTS Writing Task 1

While the preposition "To" is used to express the increase/decrease from A to B, the preposition "By" is used when the increase/decrease is measured (subtracting the smaller value from the larger one). Let's explore the detailed usage of prepositions in IELTS Writing Task 1 together with PREP!

IV. Usage of the preposition "Of" in IELTS Writing Task 1

If the preposition "By" is used to express the increase/decrease of a verb, the preposition "Of" is used specifically for nouns. Here is how the preposition "Of" is used in Writing Task 1:

V. Usage of the prepositional phrases "Between...and" & "Around" in IELTS Writing Task 1

Here is how the prepositional phrases "Between...and" & "Around" are used in IELTS Writing Task 1. Let's explore the detailed usage of prepositions in IELTS Writing Task 1 together with PREP!

VI. Additional tips for using prepositions in IELTS Writing Task 1

In addition to the prepositions discussed above, there are a few more tips to keep in mind when using prepositions in IELTS Writing Task 1:

1. Use "From...to" to indicate a range: When describing a range of values or time periods, you can use the preposition "from...to." For example, "The temperature ranged from 20°C to 30°C during the summer months."
2. Utilize "During" for time frames: When referring to a specific time period, the preposition "during" is commonly used. For instance, "During the year 2020, the sales of electric vehicles increased significantly."
3. Consider "In" for specific years or seasons: When talking about specific years or seasons, the preposition "in" can be employed. For example, "In 2019, the price of oil experienced a sharp decline."
4. Use "Across" for geographical areas: When discussing trends or changes across different regions, the preposition "across" can be used. For instance, "The unemployment rate varied across different states in the country."
5. "Over" for an extended period: The preposition "over" can be used to indicate a duration or span of time. For example, "Over the course of five years, the population of the city grew by 10%."
6. "Within" for a specific timeframe: When referring to a specific timeframe or deadline, the preposition "within" can be utilized. For instance, "The construction of the new bridge was completed within six months."

VII. Conclusion

Above is the usage of prepositions in IELTS Writing Task 1, explained in detail. We hope that through this article, you will feel confident in tackling various chart types, maps, and process descriptions. We wish you effective preparation for the IELTS exam and the achievement of high band scores.

And don't forget that the teachers at PREP are always there to accompany you throughout your IELTS preparation journey. Register for an IELTS course at Prep to study with our teachers.