The Million Dollar Comma

A recent case in Canada shows that it can certainly be costly if you do not pay attention to grammar, and punctuation in particular. In a dispute between two companies, one a cable television provider and the other a telephone company, a single, misplaced comma in a contract cost a million dollars (Canadian).

The misplaced comma changed the whole intent of one sentence in the contract, according to a ruling from the telecommunications regulator. A costly oversight I would say.

To read the article in the New York Times about this incident click here. (You may have to register first.)