The Importance of Punctuation

Punctuation is not really that important, right? WRONG! It’s very important and a tiny, misplaced comma or question mark can cost several millions or break someone’s heart. Not convinced? Take a look at some of these great examples of punctuation mistakes. If you didn’t previously recognize the importance of punctuation, you will after seeing these!



1) Dear John Punctuation


The Dear John punctuation example is a very commonly used story about a man who received a beautiful letter from his loved one. In the letter his girlfriend spelled out, in no uncertain terms, how much she loved and adored John and it was clear to anyone reading the letter that she couldn’t live without him. Or could she?


Version 1:

Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy–will you let me be yours?
Jane

What happens to the letter if there were some punctuation mistakes and it was punctuated in an entirely different fashion?


Version 2:

Dear John,
I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be?
Yours,
Gloria


AND THE MORAL OF THE STORY?

Incorrect punctuation can get you into deep, deep doo-doo!

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