Spotting the punctuation mistake in a question about Amy and the market

Punctuation: the tiny thing that changes everything

If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence because a comma suddenly felt like a roadblock, you’re not alone. In PACT-style writing tasks, tiny marks can tilt meaning in surprising ways. A single comma can be the difference between a sentence that flows and one that trips readers up. Let me explain with a concrete example that pops up in many reading exercises: a question about Amy and the market.

Here’s the thing: in most of these prompts, the goal isn’t to trap you with grammar trivia. It’s to see how clearly you can carry meaning from start to finish. When a sentence reads smoothly, the reader doesn’t pause to wrestle with structure. They just get the idea. And that clarity—more than anything—is what trustworthy writing sounds like.

A quick example: Amy, the market, and a comma

Suppose you’re given a question that asks you to identify a punctuation mistake. The correct answer is the idea that there should be a comma between the word market and the word did. It’s a small move, but it keeps the sentence’s rhythm in check. If someone reads the sentence aloud and naturally places a pause after “market,” that pause should belong to the sentence’s flow, not to a misread. Put the comma in the wrong place, and the reader might stumble, thinking there’s a new, unconnected thought starting at “did.” That little stumble can pull the reader out of the moment and into question-land: wait, what’s the speaker asking me to do exactly?

In exams and in real life, this kind of pause matters. In a question about a past action or a sequence of events, the punctuation should guide the reader through the action as it happened, in one smooth thought or in clearly labeled steps. If you sneak in an unnecessary pause—like a comma where it doesn’t belong—the sentence risks becoming two smaller thoughts that don’t quite fit together. The result is confusion, not clarity.

Why the other options miss the mark

Let’s look at the other possible choices for a moment, just to see why they’re off the mark in this scenario.

• No error: Saying there’s no error would ignore the natural pause the reader expects after a place name or a subject in certain question formats. If the sentence is meant to flow as one continuous idea, tossing in a comma at the right spot supports that flow. If you’re sensing a whisper of an intended rhythm, it’s a hint that punctuation is doing real engineering work, not just decoration.

• Period at the end instead of a question mark: A punctuation swap at the end looks small, but it changes the entire tone. A question mark invites reflection, the reader to answer in their head or on paper. A period would declare: “This is a statement.” The content still matters, but the reader’s engagement changes. If the prompt is asking you to identify a mistake in a question form, that finishing mark becomes a critical clue.

• Comma after “went”: That’s a classic miscue when you’re trying to separate a verb from the rest of the clause. A stray comma after a verb can create a false break, suggesting that what follows is an unrelated aside. In a careful, PACT-style prompt, that misplacement disrupts the sentence’s natural subject-verb connection and sloppy-read can sneak in.

The bigger picture: punctuation as a clarity tool

Let me translate this into a small checklist you can carry around:

• Read aloud with intent. If a natural pause belongs after a word, test whether the pause belongs to the sentence’s meaning or merely to a broken rhythm. If it’s the latter, you’re probably forcing a comma where it doesn’t fit.

• Check the flow of ideas. Does the sentence present a single, clear thought, or does it feel like two ideas stuck together with plastic wrap? The latter is a sign you might need to rearrange punctuation or restructure the sentence.

• Ask: who or what comes next? In questions, the end should nudge the reader toward a response. If the punctuation sequence makes the reader stop before answering, you’ve likely mispunctuated.

• Compare options. In multi-choice prompts, each alternative should reflect a plausible but imperfect idea about punctuation. The correct choice typically preserves the sentence’s intended rhythm and meaning.

Applying these moves to everyday writing

What you’re learning here isn’t about acing a single test; it’s about building a habit of precise, readable writing. The same rules apply whether you’re drafting an email to a professor, a brief report, or a post on a blog. Clear punctuation helps readers follow who did what and when, without having to backtrack.

• When you quote someone, place commas where they’re meant to live naturally in speech. A misplaced comma can make a quote feel muddled or cut off.

• In lists, keep things parallel. If you’ve got a sentence that stacks up actions, the punctuation should help readers trace the sequence without stumbling.

• In questions, end with a question mark, and don’t sneak in stray punctuation that invites a pause where none is needed. If the prompt asks you to identify a mistake, focus on whether the pause serves the sentence’s purpose or simply interrupts it.

A few practical tips you can try today

• Read your sentence twice: once slowly, once at a normal pace. If you find a spot where you stumble in the second pass, that’s a good sign to reexamine the punctuation.

• Subtract and re-add. If you’re unsure where the pause should be, try removing a comma and reading again. If the sentence still feels clear, the comma may be unnecessary. If it runs too tight, add a small pause where meaning needs it.

• Use style guides as a compass, not a limiter. The Chicago Manual of Style and the MLA Handbook are well-worn companions for punctuation rules. They aren’t rigid rules so much as well-tested guidelines that help you choose the clearest path through a sentence. For casual writing, you’ll still follow common sense and readability, but a quick consult keeps you honest on tricky spots.

• Notice where readers tend to pause in real conversations. In dialogue-heavy writing, punctuation can mirror natural speech: a comma keeps a sentence flowing; a dash signals a dash of emotion or an abrupt turn; a semicolon ties two related ideas with a little more weight than a comma.

A few caveats and thoughtful twists

Writing isn’t a science that lives entirely in absolutes. There are times you’ll push punctuation for effect—like a dramatic pause using a dash or a rhetorical question to invite reflection. In those moments, the goal isn’t to follow a strict rule so much as to serve readability and tone. The best writers know when to bend the rules—and know exactly why they’re bending them.

If you see a question about Amy and the market, and the task asks you to identify a punctuation misstep, the right instinct is to look for the smallest, most tasteful adjustment that keeps the sentence’s intention intact. The comma between “market” and “did” is a tiny adjustment with real punch. It preserves the flow, respects the reader’s ear, and prevents misreading. That’s the kind of insight that makes any piece of writing feel tighter and more human.

Let’s connect the dots

• Punctuation isn’t a museum piece; it’s a living tool for clarity and rhythm. When you’re parsing a sentence in a PACT-style task, think of punctuation as your ally for guiding comprehension, not as a hurdle to overcome.

• Everyday writing benefits from the same discipline. Expecting readers to catch your meaning on the first pass is a tall order; the right punctuation helps them glide through your ideas with ease.

• The ability to explain why a particular comma matters is as valuable as spotting the correct choice in a prompt. If you can articulate why a comma placement preserves flow, you’ve shown real writing sense.

A friendly nudge to close

If you’re curious about how punctuation shapes meaning beyond the classroom, try this small exercise: take a sentence you use in daily life and experiment with two or three punctuations. Read it aloud. Notice how a pause, a break, or a link changes the feel. That tiny bit of practice—no heavy drills required—will sharpen your eye and ear for the kind of writing that travels smoothly from your keyboard to your reader’s mind.

To sum it up: the comma between “market” and “did” isn’t just a punctuation mark. It’s a signpost that helps the sentence breathe, guiding the reader through the intended sequence without tripping over a misplaced pause. In PACT-style writing tasks and in real communication alike, that clarity is what makes your words land with confidence.

If you ever feel stuck, remember the same rule of thumb: read aloud, test the flow, and choose the option that keeps the sentence meaningfully intact. That approach turns a small mark into a big boost for readability—and that’s something worth aiming for in any piece of writing, whether it’s a quick update, a thoughtful note, or a thoughtful piece for the web.