What's new on IELTS with Fiona

There’s a lot of useful language in this short post (from @factsdailyy).

But can you spot the mistake?

1. 'Three times as much'

Millenial dads are spending three TIMES as much TIME (not times*) with their kids.

'Time' can be both countable and uncountable. When making comparisons in this way (like multiplications 3x) you say 'times' (apart from 'two times' (2x) = 'twice')

Review: 'twice as much/many' (Bronze Members)

2. 'a significant 43% of fathers'

Normally you only need 'a' before a noun e.g.

• Sales rose by 43%. 
• There was a 43% rise in sales.

But in this example, the writer uses 43% as a noun, and gives it an adjective 'significant'. So this is OK.

3. 'ing' linking words

Recently, this figure has plummeted, signifying a positive shift.

Modern dads dedicate an extra 30 minutes daily,...demanstrating increased involvement.

4. 'So what?' sentences

It fosters a stronger father-child relationship.

5. The language of change and approximation

• Today, that number IS DOWN to ABOUT 3%.
• Recently, this figure HAS PLUMMETED to AROUND 3%.