Punctuation Problems

Many punctuation problems are easy to fix--a sentence needs a comma and you add one, or a sentence doesn't need the comma and you omit it. There are also other situations where there is more than one way to fix a problem, and other situations where there isn't a problem, but there can be an improvement by a change in punctuation. Please see the examples below.



1. "The comfortable home is appointed with upholstered pieces of the period; his and hers chairs with finely carved wood trim in the front parlor room, mating tufted chaise lounges in a sitting room upstairs."

The comfortable home is appointed with upholstered pieces of the period: his and hers chairs with finely carved wood trim in the front parlor room, mating tufted chaise lounges in a sitting room upstairs.



2. "Be Safe on the Water is not just a catch phrase; it can be the difference between life and death."

Be Save on the Water is not just a catch phrase--it can be the difference between life and death.



3. "Very popular as a holiday gift plant the Kalanchoe blooms remain attractive through spring."

Very popular as a holiday gift plant, the Kalanchoe blooms remain attractive through spring.



4. "For nearly a thousand years this was both Minster Abbey and Minster parish church, but today it is one building."

For nearly a thousand years, this was both Minster Abbey and Minster parish church, but today it is one building.


5. "But the most obvious sign that summer is just around the corner, the lifeguard towers have been put back on the beach."

But the most obvious sign that summer is just around the corner--the lifeguard towers have been put back on the beach.



6. "So, if the layout of your rooms no longer suits you - if you had a formal living room and an adjacent formal dining room pre-Ike, but you and your family prefer - are more comfortable with - a large informal gethering space, consider making a change."

So if the layout of your rooms no longer suits you, if you had a formal living room and an adjacent formal dining room pre-Ike but you and your family prefer--are more comfortable with--a large, informal gathering place, consider making a change.



7. "The reverse image of its sister's stairwell graces the center of the house, this one decorated with a large multi-colored stained glass window, on which sash weights and cables have been replaced."

The reverse image of its sister's stairwell graces the center of the house, this one decorated with a large multi-colored stained glass window on which sash weights and cables have been replaced.



8. "Here, you'll discover one of the world's most beautiful natural wonders; giant columns stretching from floor to ceiling, delicate soda straws glistening with minerals, tiny cave pearls hidden in crystal-clear water."

Here you'll discover one of the world's most beautiful natural wonders: giant columns stretching from floor to ceiling, delicate soda straws glistening with minerals, tiny cave pearls hidden in crystal-clear water.



9. "This is a unique opportunity to discover the substantial Roman, Saxon and Medieval remains beneath Chester."

This is a unique opportunity to discover substantial Roman, Saxon, and Medieval remains beneath Chester.



10. "The murder of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral on the instructions of Henry II in 1170, was a defining moment for Christianity in England, and specifically Kent."

The murder of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral on the instructions of Henry II in 1170 was a defining moment for Christianity in England and specifically Kent.

Many of these sentences could be improved in other ways, but I'll save those for another blog.