This unit covers some common errors that occur when punctuating sentences:
The use of too many or not enough commas; for example,
| Incorrect Books, which are unavailable in the library , will be removed from the reading list. |
Correct Books which are unavailable in the library will be removed from the reading list. |
| The presence of 2 commas in this sentence suggests that all books will be removed from the reading list. | |
| Incorrect When we finished eating the dog barked. |
Correct When we finished eating, the dog barked. |
| The confused meaning created by this sentence is clarified when a comma is inserted. The insertion of a comma after 'eating' makes it clear that 'we' were not eating the 'dog' | |
Missing or unnecessary apostrophes; for example,
| Incorrect The poets tone reflects contemporary attitudes to Aboriginal Australians. |
Correct The poet's tone reflects contemporary attitudes to Aboriginal Australians. |
| Since the tone belongs to the poet, the apostrophe should be placed after the owner the poet. | |
| Incorrect Empathy is the key to providing quality patient care. It's importance should not be overlooked in staff training and development programs. |
Correct Empathy is the key to providing quality patient care. Its importance should not be overlooked in staff training and development programs. |
| Since the word 'It's' in this sentence is not intended to mean 'it is', no apostrophe should be included. | |
Errors in using semi-colons & colons; for example,
| Incorrect The three most important factors are the following; the motivation of the learner, whether it is intrinsic or extrinsic; their ability to tolerate ambiguity; and their attitude to the learning experience. |
Correct The three most important factors are the following: the motivation of the learner, whether it is intrinsic or extrinsic; their ability to tolerate ambiguity; and their attitude to the learning experience. |
| Lists, such as the list of important factors in this example, should be introduced by colons not semicolons. | |
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