Improving Your Punctuation Skills
Correct Punctuation Matters
Punctuation is a critical aspect of writing that helps convey meaning and clarity to the reader. It can make the difference between a sentence that is easy to understand and one that is confusing. One common punctuation mark that often causes confusion is the comma.
Comma Usage Example
Let's look at the following sentences to illustrate the importance of correct comma placement:
Incorrect: Harry Houdini who won fame as an escape artist early in the 20th century issued a challenge wherever he went.
Correct: Harry Houdini, who won fame as an escape artist early in the 20th century, issued a challenge wherever he went.
From the example above, we can see that adding a comma before the relative clause "who won fame as an escape artist early in the 20th century" clarifies that the information is non-essential to the main sentence.
Practice Makes Perfect
Improving your punctuation skills takes practice. One way to enhance your understanding of proper punctuation usage is to regularly review grammar rules and practice them in your writing. Additionally, seeking feedback from others can help you identify areas for improvement.
Choose the sentence that shows correct punctuation.Harry Houdini who won fame as an escape artist early in the 20th century issued a challenge wherever he went.
A. Harry Houdini, who won fame as an escape artist early in the 20th century, issued a challenge wherever he went.
B. Harry Houdini who won fame as an escape artist early in the 20th century, issued a challenge wherever he went.
C. Harry Houdini, who won fame as an escape artist early in the 20th century, issued a challenge, wherever he went.
A. Harry Houdini, who won fame as an escape artist early in the 20th century, issued a challenge wherever he went.