Each of these examples demonstrates how variations in punctuation can alter the meaning of a sentence or sentences.

 

Woman: without her, man is nothing!

Woman, without her man, is nothing!

 

 

‘The teacher,’ said the student, ‘is listening!’

The teacher said, ‘The student is listening.’

 

 

Dear Jack,

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?

Jill

 

Dear Jack,

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,

Jill

 

 

Charles the First walked and talked half an hour after his head was cut off.

Charles the First walked and talked. Half an hour after, his head was cut off.

 

 

Am I looking at my dinner or the dog’s?

Am I looking at my dinner or the dogs?