"Punctuation isn't very important. The words are more important." Right? Wrong! Sometimes punctuation marks can totally change the meaning of the words. Each of the sentences below can be made to have another meaning by simply inserting or removing punctuation marks. Rewrite each sentence, punctuating it differently. (You may have to capitalize letters, but don't change any of the words.) Can you think of more than one way to change some of the sentences?

1. Don't do anything stupid.

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2. The committee consists of Mary Jane, Sue Ann, and Louise.

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3.The team said the coach is great.

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4. Let's talk turkey.

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5. Well leave it alone.

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6. The ladies have cast off clothing at the garage sale.

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7. Bring four gallon jugs.

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8. Go fetch Fido.

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9. Listen to me that doesn't make sense.

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10. Don't eat fast.

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NOTE: If the above sentences haven't convinced you of the importance of punctuation, read the following true story:

In Russia a period once actually saved a man's life. The czar had condemned the man to death and sent this note to the jailer, who had been instructed to wait for orders: " PARDON IMPOSSIBLE. TO BE EXECUTED." The czarina, who felt sympathetic toward the prisoner, intercepted the note and changed the punctuation as follows: "PARDON. IMPOSSIBLE TO BE EXECUTED." The jailer there upon released the prisoner, who escaped from the country before the Czar discovered what had happened.