5 Common Punctuation Problems to Avoid

Key Takeaways

Avoid using full stops or exclamation marks in titles and headings unless they are questions. This can cause confusion, especially if the heading is split over two lines.
Ensure bullet lists are correctly formatted, avoiding text-based bullets or excessive punctuation. If the list items are complete sentences, they should start with capitals and end with full stops; if not, they should be in lowercase with a full stop only at the end of the last item.
Be cautious with punctuation symbols like dashes, parentheses, and ampersands. Dashes shouldn’t be overused, and ampersands should only replace “and” if used consistently throughout the text. Punctuation should enhance clarity, not create confusion or ambiguity.

Poor punctuation: the other reason users don’t get your site.

For those working on interfaces, typos can seem like the biggest text-related issue you’ll face. Sadly, they’re not.

The partner in crime of the innocent typo is the punctuation error.

Punctuation is not a text effect. It has evolved over thousands of years to help us communicate, and that evolution continues.

So there are common punctuation errors that crop up again and again in web interfaces, and do much to confuse users. Here are the key problems.

1. Finishing punctuation on headings

Titles and headings shouldn’t have full stops. If the title or heading is a question, then yes, it gets a question mark. But otherwise, leave the stops and screamers (!) off.

Sounds simple; is strangely confusing. Here’s an example from Teambox.

Teambox

I think that subhead is intended to be a single sentence, but the way it’s positioned over two lines makes it look as if one subhead has finishing punctuation and the other doesn’t. Not cool.

2. Weird bullets

Without wanting to point the finger, for some reason developers copying and pasting text someone else has written (in Word or Notepad/TextEdit, presumably) into HTML seem to revel in failing to mark up bullet lists as, well … bullet lists.

This is how we end up with bullets composed of text, like a dash (-) or the ever-popular colon-and-dash combo (:-).

Okay, so you might not be thrilled to have to publish a three-page Word-formatted bio for that hoity-toity board member who snubbed you at the last company Christmas party. But the About Us page isn’t the place to exact your revenge.

She doesn’t know HTML and you do, and it’ll take you three seconds to actually format that list properly so it takes the styles your designer has set for bullets that look like they’re meant to be on your website.

A P.S. here: don’t include semi-colons or any other crazy punctuation on the end of list items.

If the list items are complete sentences, give then capitals at the start and full stops at the end. If they’re not full sentences, lowercase the lot, and put a stop at the end of the last one only. Unless your house style guide says otherwise, that is.

3. Using dashes instead of commas (or parentheses, or colons)

If someone’s using more than two dashes every 50 words, you can be pretty sure they’re misusing them. The same goes for parentheses, semi-colons, and ellipses.

If you want to go editing the text, then knock yourself out, by all means. Here’s a good explanation of when and how to use dashes, and one for commas, and one for semi-colons.

If you don’t want to take the editing on, you could always send it back (with the links above perhaps!) and suggest the author or an editor take another look.

4. The greengrocer’s apostrophe

Named for the greengrocers who adorn their blackboards with messages like “Tomatoe’s $2”, this is an everyday typo, and one you should avoid.

The rules:

If it’s a plural, add an s.
If it’s possessive (or a contraction like “it’s”), add an apostrophe and an s.

End of story.

5. Ampersands in text

Ampersands are much-loved by designers and typographers, less so by readers.

An ampersand might wash in a heading, but it won’t in body text–-unless, that is, you use it consistently, everywhere in your text, instead of “and”.

If space isn’t an issue, spell out “and” every time. Why? Because convention says so. Restricting ampersand usage to a limited range of situations is as far as our language has evolved at this point.

If in doubt, don’t

Punctuation has a purpose, and that purpose is clear-cut. If you ask it to carry more than its fair share of the load, you can wind up in trouble.

An example? Sure. Back to the Teambox site. Here’s the signup call to action.

Teambox CTA

If you read the article I linked to above on dashes, you might think, well gosh darn, that Get started – free! button is just peachy. They’re using a dash to emphasise the fact that it’s free to get started. Excellent work, chaps!

Look a bit closer and you’ll spot a few problems here.

That’s not a dash. It’s a hyphen.
The heading says free and the button says free, but the subhead says $5 per user.

In that context, the use of a dash (or erroneous hyphen) to emphasize the word “free” only adds to the confusion. Is the basic package free but I have to pay for premium features? What about the 5 user thing? If I want to add a sixth basic-level user, do I have to pay? How much (assuming the $5 is for premium features)?

Don’t ask punctuation to solve your communications problems, or to clarify murky messages. Do use it to make an already fine point razor-sharp.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Common Punctuation Problems

Why is punctuation important in writing?

Punctuation is crucial in writing because it helps convey the intended meaning of the sentence. It provides pauses, stops, and emphasis where needed, making the text easier to read and understand. Without proper punctuation, sentences can become confusing and the intended message can be lost or misinterpreted.

What are some common punctuation mistakes to avoid?

Some common punctuation mistakes include misuse of apostrophes, overuse of commas, incorrect use of semicolons, and incorrect capitalization. It’s important to understand the rules of punctuation to avoid these common errors.

How can I improve my punctuation skills?

Improving punctuation skills requires practice and patience. Reading widely can help you understand how punctuation is used in different contexts. Additionally, there are numerous online resources and books available that provide exercises and explanations on punctuation rules.

What is the correct way to use apostrophes?

Apostrophes are used to indicate possession and to form contractions. In possession, the apostrophe is placed before the ‘s’ for singular nouns and after the ‘s’ for plural nouns. In contractions, the apostrophe replaces the omitted letters.

How should I use commas correctly?

Commas are used to separate items in a list, to separate independent clauses when they are joined by a coordinating conjunction, and to set off nonessential information. Misuse of commas can lead to confusion and misinterpretation.

When should I use a semicolon?

Semicolons are used to link two closely related independent clauses. They can also be used to separate items in a list when the items themselves contain commas.

How should I use capitalization correctly?

Capitalization rules can vary, but generally, the first word of a sentence and proper nouns should be capitalized. It’s also important to capitalize titles and headings correctly.

What are some tips for punctuating titles and headings?

Titles and headings should be capitalized according to the style guide you are following. Generally, the first word, the last word, and all important words in between should be capitalized.

How can I avoid over-punctuating my writing?

Over-punctuating can make your writing confusing and difficult to read. To avoid this, only use punctuation where necessary to convey your intended meaning. Remember, less is often more when it comes to punctuation.

What resources can I use to improve my punctuation?

There are numerous online resources, books, and style guides available to help improve your punctuation. Some popular options include The Chicago Manual of Style, The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, and various online grammar and punctuation guides.