Grammar and Punctuation Tips for Clear and Effective Writing

Here are some tips on grammar and punctuation to improve your writing clarity and professionalism:

26. Replace your standard light bulbs with new compact fluorescent bulbs. (C)

• Tip: Avoid unnecessary commas. In this case, the comma after 'new' is redundant.

27. Blue Cross of California may have changed its name to Anthem Blue Cross, but the company still has the same commitment to California. (B)

• Tip: Use a comma after an introductory phrase followed by a main clause.

28. Only eight banks in this country, maybe nine, can handle a transaction of this magnitude. (B)

• Tip: Use commas to set off parenthetical elements. 'Maybe nine' is a parenthetical phrase.

29. Instead of focusing on high-growth companies, we targeted mature businesses with only one or two people handling the decision-making. (B)

• Tip: Use hyphens to create compound adjectives. 'Decision-making' is a compound adjective modifying 'people'.

30. According to board president Damian Cabaza, 'Having a crisis communication plan is a high priority.' (B)

• Tip: Use commas to separate a direct quote from the introductory phrase. Use single quotes for quotes within a sentence.