How does punctuation change meaning?

1 Answer
Jul 18, 2016

Punctuation groups words into conceptual blocks (that is groups that should be viewed as a unit).

Punctuation may also be use to give meaning by inflection.

Explanation:

Example 1: conceptual blocks
Without punctuation
color(white)("XXX")The doctor said the mayor is an idiot

With punctuation version A:
color(white)("XXX")color(blue)("The doctor said,")"color(red)("the mayor is an idiot.")"

With punctuation version B:
color(white)("XXX")"color(blue)("The doctor,")", color(red)("said the mayor"), "color(blue)("is an idiot.")"

Example 2: conceptual blocks (from a popular book on grammar)
color(white)("XXX")color(brown)("Eats")color(green)(" shoots and leaves").
color(white)("XXXXXX")Description of the eating habits of a pandas bear.

color(white)("XXX")color(brown)("Eats"), color(purple)("shoots"), color(orange)("and leaves").
color(white)("XXXXXX")The actions of a criminal in a restaurant.

Example 3a,b,c: meaning through inflection
color(white)("XXX")You are ready to go.
color(white)("XXXXXX")Simple observation or statement of fact.

color(white)("XXX")You are ready to go?
color(white)("XXXXXX")Query.

color(white)("XXX")You are ready to go!
color(white)("XXXXXX")Well, that was unexpected.