IELTS common mistakes

This type of work attracts a greater % of men than women. (incorrect)
This type of work attracts a greater percentage of men than women. (correct)

Many old people believe that kids have too much freedom nowadays. (incorrect)
Many old people believe that children have too much freedom nowadays. (correct)

Register means using the right word in the right context. For formal essay writing, you must use a formal register. This means you should not use informal language.

You should not use:
• informal vocabulary: kids; ok; bucks; heaps. You should use a more formal equivalent instead: children; all right or acceptable; money; many or a great deal.
• symbols on their own in place of words: %; $; &; @. You should write the words in full: percent; money; and; at.

Note that % and $ should only be used with numerals. For smaller amounts we write $50 (not 50 dollars) and 75% (not 75 percent). The noun form of percent is percentage.

• abbreviations: m; yrs; kgs; no. You should write these words in full: million; years; kilos/kilograms; number.
• all capital letters: NOWADAYS PEOPLE THINK THAT ... You should use capital letters only when appropriate: Nowadays people think that...

Look at the following examples:
Companies waste heaps of bucks on advertising.
Companies waste a great deal of money on advertising.

In 1986 the % rose to 67.5.
In 1986 the percentage rose to 67.5.

Between the yrs 2001 and 2005, over 2m people died.
Between the years 2001 and 2005, over 2 million people died.

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