IELTS Writing for Australia skilled migration applicants: How to Fix Run-on sentences and comma splices

Never join two full sentences with only a comma. Use a full stop, a semicolon, or a conjunction such as 'and', 'but' or 'because'. Check each sentence for one subject-verb core and clear punctuation.

At a glance

For: Australia skilled migration applicants
Problem: Run-on sentences and comma splices
Scoring criterion: Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Task affected: Task 1 and Task 2
IELTS test: Academic or General Training (check your requirement)
Typical effort: one to two weeks
First step: Mark every sentence that has more than two verbs and check how its parts are joined.

Why this happens to Australia skilled migration applicants

Long sentences feel advanced, but without correct joins they become run-ons. Punctuation is part of Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and frequent comma splices are a typical Band 6 error.

Why this affects Australia skilled migration applicants: points targets create pressure to hit 7 or 8 in every component, so Writing is often the limiting score.

A high band needs a majority of error-free sentences, so proofreading is vital.

A strength to build on: A clear numeric target helps focus practice on the weakest criterion.

Fix it in four steps

Mark every sentence that has more than two verbs and check how its parts are joined.
If two full sentences meet at a comma, change it to a full stop or add a conjunction.
Break any sentence longer than about 30 words into two.
Read the essay aloud and mark where you need to breathe, which is often where punctuation is missing.

Before and after

Before

Many people drive to work, the roads are crowded, this causes pollution.

After

Many people drive to work, so the roads are crowded, and this causes pollution.

Ten-minute drill: Find ten long sentences in your old essays and rewrite each as two correct sentences or one correctly joined sentence.

Questions and answers

How can Australia skilled migration applicants fix run-on sentences and comma splices?

Never join two full sentences with only a comma. Use a full stop, a semicolon, or a conjunction such as 'and', 'but' or 'because'. Check each sentence for one subject-verb core and clear punctuation. A high band needs a majority of error-free sentences, so proofreading is vital.

How long does it take Australia skilled migration applicants to fix run-on sentences and comma splices?

Most learners need one to two weeks. Invitation rounds are unpredictable, so build a steady routine rather than a last-minute push.

What is a comma splice?

Two complete sentences joined by only a comma. It is a common punctuation error and easy to fix with a full stop or conjunction.

Is a very long sentence ever a problem?

Yes, if it is hard to follow or poorly punctuated. Clear sentences of moderate length are safer than long, uncertain ones.

What does a good practice drill look like for Australia skilled migration applicants?

Find ten long sentences in your old essays and rewrite each as two correct sentences or one correctly joined sentence. Invitation rounds are unpredictable, so build a steady routine rather than a last-minute push.

How can Australia skilled migration applicants tell they have fixed run-on sentences and comma splices?

A punctuation check finds no comma splices in your last two essays.

What should Australia skilled migration applicants know about their IELTS Writing target?

Australian skilled migration awards points for English: Proficient English, at IELTS 7 in each component, and Superior English, at IELTS 8 in each component, earn different points. Check the current rules before planning your target.

Should Australia skilled migration applicants practise this on Task 1, Task 2 or both?

It shows up in both tasks. Fix it in Task 2 first, because Task 2 carries about twice the weight of Task 1, then check Task 1 with the same checklist. A clear numeric target helps focus practice on the weakest criterion.

Can an AI checker help Australia skilled migration applicants with run-on sentences and comma splices?

An AI checker can show where this pattern appears in your own essay and which criterion it affects, which makes the fix concrete. It gives a practice estimate, not an official IELTS score, so use it to choose the next revision, rewrite, and check again. The first check on this site is free.

Check your own essay

See where run-on sentences and comma splices appears in your own writing and which criterion it affects, then rewrite the weakest paragraph.

Run a free first check

Feedback is a practice estimate, not an official IELTS score. Last reviewed 2026-11-11. Score requirements change, so confirm them with the organisation that will read your result.