Question

Which of the following sentences is correctly punctuated?

1) Being a postal carrier must be very difficult through the thunderstorms and the snow and the gales and the heat.
2) Being a postal carrier must be very difficult, through the thunderstorms, and the snow, and the gales and the heat.
3) Being a postal carrier must be very difficult through the thunderstorms, and the snow, and the gales, and the heat.
4) Being a postal carrier must be very difficult through the thunderstorms, and the snow, and the gales and the heat.

Answer 1

The correctly punctuated sentence is the first one, as it does not insert unnecessary commas in the listed weather conditions affecting postal carriers. Proper punctuation in lists contributes to clear and coherent writing.

Step-by-step explanation:

When determining which of the provided sentences is correctly punctuated, it's essential to understand how commas are used to list multiple items. In the given options, only the first sentence is correctly punctuated.

• 1) Being a postal carrier must be very difficult through the thunderstorms and the snow and the gales and the heat.

No additional commas are necessary because the sentence lists similar conditions that a postal carrier might face without requiring pauses for clarity or separation of ideas. The other options insert unnecessary commas that disrupt the flow of the series.

The correct use of punctuation is crucial for clear and coherent writing, as improper use can confuse readers and obscure the intended meaning of a sentence. A well-punctuated sentence ensures smooth reading and comprehension.