Inter-office Emails and the Run-On Sentence

It's a matter of being understood. We rush through our email compositions so fast that sometimes the results are incoherent. Here is an email I saw recently:

Team Members When providing transportation for clients the office to call is 555-7395 on weekends 555-2488 if no answer on Tuesdays 555-3850. Extension 322.

This could mean anything, and your team members will have no idea what they're supposed to do. Be clear in your mind what you are trying to say, and place punctuation accordingly. 

Team Members: When providing transportation for clients, call the main number at 555-7395. On weekends, call 555-2488. On Tuesdays, if there is no answer at the main number, call 555-3850, extension 322.

Just this little bit of thought will help the team members get to the right place.

Tags: grammar, punctuation, run-on sentences, commas, business emails