Prepositions for IELTS Writing Task 1 Graphs

Summary

This video provides an in-depth guide to using prepositions correctly in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, focusing on trends and changes. It explains when to use prepositions like 'in,' 'of,' 'from...to,' and 'by' with nouns and verbs such as 'increase,' 'decrease,' 'rise,' and 'fall.' The video highlights key distinctions between prepositions used for numbers, time periods, and specific events, with numerous examples. It also covers common mistakes, such as mixing 'between' and 'from...to,' ensuring that students grasp the nuances of prepositions to improve the clarity and accuracy of their responses.

Takeaways

• 😀 Increase and decrease can function as both nouns and verbs, and the prepositions used with them change accordingly.
• 😀 As nouns, 'increase' and 'decrease' use 'in' when no specific number is provided, and 'of' when a specific number is mentioned.
• 😀 As verbs, 'increase' and 'decrease' typically follow the pattern: 'increase from X to Y' or 'decrease from X to Y'.
• 😀 The preposition 'by' is used to show the amount of change when using 'increase' or 'decrease' as verbs, e.g., 'increased by 30%'.
• 😀 When describing time periods, 'in' is used for specific months or years, while 'between' is used to indicate a range of time.
• 😀 The preposition 'since' is used to show a trend that started at a specific point and continues until now, often with the present perfect tense.
• 😀 'At' is used with verbs like 'start', 'begin', 'end', and 'peak' when describing specific points in time or quantities.
• 😀 For trends that remain constant or steady over time, use 'at' to show the level or value it remains at.
• 😀 When showing a range of time, 'between X and Y' is used, but do not mix it with 'to' (e.g., 'between 2010 and 2014' is correct, not 'between 2010 to 2014').
• 😀 It's important to vary the vocabulary used to describe trends, such as using 'peaked at', 'dropped by', or 'remained stable at'.
• 😀 In a graph, always ensure to use the correct prepositions based on whether you are describing the start, end, or change in the trend (e.g., 'started at', 'dropped by', 'increased to').

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lesson in the video?

The lesson focuses on understanding and using prepositions correctly in writing task 1 of the IELTS academic exam, particularly with verbs and nouns like 'increase' and 'decrease'.

How do prepositions differ when 'increase' and 'decrease' are used as nouns?

When 'increase' and 'decrease' are used as nouns, the preposition 'in' is used when no specific number is mentioned, and 'of' is used when a specific number is provided.

What is the correct preposition to use after 'increase' or 'decrease' when a specific number is mentioned?

When a specific number is mentioned after 'increase' or 'decrease', the preposition 'of' is used. For example, 'There was an increase of 70% in sales.'

What prepositions follow 'increase' and 'decrease' when they are used as verbs?

When 'increase' and 'decrease' are used as verbs, 'from' is used with the starting point and 'to' with the ending point. 'By' is used to show the amount of change.

How is the preposition 'by' used with percentages?

The preposition 'by' is optional when using percentages. For example, 'Sales increased by 30%' or 'Sales increased 30%' are both correct.

What is the difference in meaning between 'declined by 5%' and 'declined to 5%'?

'Declined by 5%' means a small decrease from 100% to 95%, showing the difference. 'Declined to 5%' means a large drop from 100% to 5%, indicating the endpoint.

When referring to specific months or years, what prepositions should be used?

When referring to specific months or years, the preposition 'in' is used, such as 'in December' or 'in 2017'.

What prepositions are used when referring to a range of time?

When referring to a range of time, the preposition 'between' is used, such as 'between 1973 and 1980', or 'from' and 'to' can be used, like 'from 2010 to 2014'.

How do you describe a trend that remains constant over a period of time?

To describe a trend that remains constant, the prepositions 'over' or 'during' are used, such as 'over the last decade' or 'during the next three months'.

What is the correct usage of prepositions when describing a drop or increase in units on a graph?

When describing a drop or increase in units, 'by' is used to indicate the difference between two points, such as 'dropped by 6 units'. If no specific number is given, 'in' is used after the noun, such as 'a decrease in the number of units'.