PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
WEEK 12 STYLE EXERCISES – PUNCTUATION
SUGGESTED ANSWERS
Exercise 1: Test your skills by correcting the punctuation errors in the sentences below. If you get stuck, check out the ‘punctuation guide’
a) A hard working group, these writers can produce a report in a day.
EXPLANATION: The comma placed here separates the phrases 'a hard working group' from the rest of the sentence which modifies or describes who 'the hard working group' are: ie 'these writers'.
b) Proposals, a constant necessity, are a major problem for writers.
EXPLANATION: Placing the comma here, highlights the description of 'proposals' and separates this from the rest of the sentence.
c) However, that doesn't mean that the business is finished.
EXPLANATION: The comma used here is a way of indicating a pause and of placing emphasis in the argument of which this sentence is a part. You also need an apostrophe for 'doesn't' because it is a contraction of 'does not'.
d) His objection therefore, was ignored.
EXPLANATION: As above, the comma provides emphasis in an argument.
e) I sat with my boss, and his assistant sat elsewhere.
EXPLANATION: The comma here separates the two clauses and again adds emphasis.
f) This transport company provides its customers with safe, reliable and comfortable service.
EXPLANATION: The comma here separates the adjectives in the list: 'safe' and 'reliable'.
g) The operator ran the program – the disk drive was faulty.
EXPLANATION: The use of an 'em dash' is more for emphasis and to show that the thought of the sentence is not complete. An em dash is often used to show an afterthought.
h) The following contractors offered bids: Wilson's, Sydney; Jennings, Perth; and Sykes, Melbourne.
EXPLANATION: The colon (:) is used to indicate that there is a list to come. It provides a longer pause than a full stop. Semi colons (;) are used as a break between parts of a list which consists of clauses or phrases. The commas are necessary to provide a break between the names of the companies and their locations. 'Wilson's' needs a possessive apostrophe.
i) The taxes that are reasonable, will be paid.
EXPLANATION: Sentences (i) and (j) have slightly different meanings which are indicated by the use of commas and also by the use of the relative pronouns 'which' and 'that'. These cause much confusion (see this link which discusses the use of 'which' vs 'that'). In (i), the meaning is that we will only pay the taxes that are reasonable (as opposed to not paying those that are unreasonable).
j) The taxes, which are reasonable, will be paid.
EXPLANATION: In this sentence, the meaning, indicated by the use of 'which', is that the writer believes that the taxes being paid are reasonable. So using the comma emphasises the phrase 'which are reasonable' as it is describing 'the taxes'.
k) How do you know when it's it's and when it's its?
EXPLANATION: The use of the apostrophe distinguishes between the contraction 'it's = it is' vs the possessive prounoun 'its' (which does not use an apostrophe: this is a common mistake. Pronouns do NOT use possessive apostrophes eg we would not write her's or our's). The question mark is needed to show this is a question.
l) It's a wise dog that scratches its own fleas.
EXPLANATION: This uses the principles discussed above.
m) Most readers will not notice correct punctuation, and that's what you should aim for.
EXPLANATION: The comma here is used to emphasise the last clause which is the argument.
n) Whether hypertext becomes as widespread as word processing, remains to be seen.
EXPLANATION: You could argue for leaving this comma out. If this sentence were part of a larger paragraph, rather than standing alone as it does here, perhaps the comma would be useful. There is no absolutes with the use of commas.
o) However, the process of successfully implementing these systems is extremely complex.
EXPLANATION: As before, the comma here indicates that an argument is happening.
p) It was damaged, but it is still usable.
EXPLANATION: This comma separates these two clauses.
q) Travel should not be underestimated – it broadens the mind.
EXPLANATION: Using the em dash here works in the same way as discussed previously.
r) However, the process of successfully implementing these systems is extremely complex.
Exercise
2: Rewrite the following sentences, ensuring that
you use capital letters appropriately.
a. Inform the general manager that the prime minister is asking for her.
REVISION: Inform the General Manager that the Prime Minister is asking for her.
EXPLANATION: There is often confusion about when you capitalise the name of a position. The rule of thumb is that if you are referring to the office in general, capitals are not used. If you are referring to a specific person and use their title, capitals are used. Therefore you could write: “The prime minister of Australia is elected by his party.” That is, you are not referring to a specific person in that role, just the role itself.
b. thomas decided to go the shop in george street to buy a copy of the journal of australasian times.
REVISION: Thomas decided to go the shop in George Street to buy a copy of the Journal of Australasian Times.
EXPLANATION: You must capitalise the whole title because the name in full is “Journal of …”.
c. People from the south will refrain from traveling north, unless there is an emergency.
REVISION: People from the South will refrain from traveling north, unless there is an emergency.
EXPLANATION: 'South' is capitalised here because it is the name of a specific geographical region. North is not capitalised as it is merely referring to a direction.
d. All the office equipment was bought from micrographics incorporated.
REVISION: All the office equipment was bought from Micrographics Incorporated.
EXPLANATION: 'Micrographics Incorporated' is the name of a company and therefore must be capitalised.
f. The letter was addressed to michael holden, ma, phd.
REVISION: The letter was addressed to Michael Holden, MA, PhD.
EXPLANATION: 'Michael Holden' is someone's name and so needs capitals. 'MA, PhD.' are his academic qualifications: MA = Master of Arts, PhD = Doctor of Philosophy.
g. migrants, especially those from countries such as japan or russia, can have difficulty learning english.
REVISION: Migrants, especially those from countries such as Japan or Russia, can have difficulty learning English.
Exercise 3: Punctuate the following sentences with commas and full stops. If you are unsure, read them through aloud and you should hear where the punctuation should come to achieve the appropriate meaning.
1. Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad is in a box from which he cannot escape, Western diplomats say, after UN investigators implicated senior regime figures in the murder of Lebanese politician Rafiq Hariri.
2. The Government has spent $40 million on its advertising campaign, but support for the changes, or knowledge of them, has barely changed over the past three months, the poll reveals.
3. According to a new study, working mothers manage it by doing less housework, sacrificing their leisure, spending less time on their appearance, and putting the children to bed later.
4. The deputies voted to follow the example set by President Morales, who has announced a 50 percent cut in his salary.
5. Some kind of ménage a trois scenario might have been suggested by Brooks, and Gwenda might have just confirmed it, to maintain the respectability she was so fond of.