Punctuation is a very important part of writing, especially when you want to write grammatically correct and purposefully built sentences. However, many times punctuation mistakes occur, which can disrupt the flow and the weight of a sentence. There are some common punctuation mistakes that can be easily avoided. Since even a comma can change the complete meaning of a sentence, misplaced punctuation is not a small thing. Learning how to avoid punctuation errors is very important, especially if you want to publish your novel through a traditional publisher.

Here are some of the most common punctuation errors that must be avoided at all costs.

Misplacing Commas in a Sentence

There is a common misconception that you should add a comma when you pause to breathe in a sentence. Just adding a comma where you take a breath in a sentence is not the correct way of writing and punctuating. You should also not connect two sentences with a comma and make it one long sentence. It is always better to split them into two sentences and separate them with a period (.). If need be, use a semicolon instead of a comma or a period if you want to write the two sentences together.

Don’t Use an Apostrophe for a Plural Noun

Understanding the correct use of an apostrophe is very important. We use apostrophes for two reasons, i.e. to indicate omissions and contractions (e.g. my brothers don't call me every weekend) or to show possession (e.g. this is my sister’s car). You should never use an apostrophe for a plural noun because it is grammatically incorrect.

Never Mix Up “It’s” with “Its”

Although this is very easy to do so, it is very important to not mix up “it’s” with “its” since both of them have a different connotation. “Its” is a possessive pronoun while “it’s” is a contraction for “it is” or “it has.” If you are not sure of which to use, you can always replace the word with “it is” and read it through; you will be able to tell if you need to add an apostrophe or not.

Placing Periods and Commas Outside Quotation Marks

It is a common grammar rule that you don’t place periods and commas outside of quotation marks. You should always place your commas and periods inside the quotation marks, e.g. When she says “here I come,” she actually means it.

These are some of the most common punctuation mistakes that most people make while writing. By avoiding these mistakes, a writer can increase the quality of the content and decrease the time and effort made for proofreading. Since editing and proofreading will take some time if there are such punctuation errors, it is important for the writer to ensure that he or she avoids these errors while writing. This will help the writer in improving the overall quality of the novel and help in grabbing the attention of literary agents and publishers.