Punctuation as Meaning and Boundary
Punctuation as Meaning and Boundary
The 20 rules in this file
- PUN-001 Terminate complete sentences IF a prose sentence is complete, THEN end it with a mark matching statement, direct question, or strong exclamation ELSE keep it joined to its governing structure. Hard constraint
- PUN-002 No comma splice IF two independent clauses are joined only by a comma, THEN add a coordinator, use a semicolon, or make two sentences ELSE retain. Hard constraint
- PUN-003 Comma before coordinating conjunction IF a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses, THEN place a comma before it unless the clauses are very short and unambiguous ELSE retain. Context default
- PUN-004 Comma after introductory material IF introductory material is long, clausal, or potentially misread, THEN add a comma before the main clause ELSE use the lightest mark that preserves clarity. Context default
- PUN-005 Set off nonrestrictive material IF a modifier adds nonessential information rather than identifying the referent, THEN set it off with paired punctuation ELSE do not set it off. Hard constraint
- PUN-006 Do not isolate restrictive material IF a modifier identifies which person or thing is meant, THEN remove punctuation that falsely marks it as optional ELSE evaluate as nonrestrictive. Hard constraint
- PUN-007 Serial comma follows declared style IF a series contains three or more coordinated items, THEN apply the selected serial-comma policy consistently AND add a comma when omission causes ambiguity ELSE retain. Context default
- PUN-008 Semicolon joins related independent clauses IF two independent clauses are closely related AND no coordinator is used, THEN a semicolon is available ELSE choose another boundary. Context default
- PUN-009 Semicolons clarify complex series IF list items contain internal commas, THEN separate top-level items with semicolons ELSE use commas. Context default
- PUN-010 Colon follows a complete setup IF a colon introduces an explanation, list, example, or amplification, THEN ensure the material before it can stand as a complete clause ELSE remove or recast. Hard constraint
- PUN-011 Apostrophe marks possession or omission IF an apostrophe is present, THEN verify that it marks possession, contracted omission, or a declared special style ELSE remove it. Hard constraint
- PUN-012 Possessive form follows number and style IF a noun is possessive, THEN apply the declared singular/plural/proper-name convention consistently ELSE retain. Context default
- PUN-013 Hyphenate ambiguity-prone compound modifiers IF multiple words jointly modify a following noun AND grouping is not immediately clear, THEN hyphenate the compound ELSE omit unnecessary hyphens. Context default
- PUN-014 Dash marks deliberate interruption or emphasis IF the intended relation is an abrupt break, strong insertion, or emphatic turn, THEN an em dash is available ELSE prefer ordinary syntax and punctuation. Creative option
- PUN-015 Parentheses subordinate removable detail IF material is useful but structurally secondary AND the sentence remains grammatical without it, THEN parentheses are available ELSE integrate or delete it. Context default
- PUN-016 Question mark only for direct questions IF the sentence directly asks a question, THEN use a question mark; IF it reports a question, use statement punctuation ELSE retain. Hard constraint
- PUN-017 Quotation marks require a quotation function IF quotation marks appear, THEN verify direct quotation, title convention, coined term, or explicit distancing; otherwise remove scare quotes. Hard constraint
- PUN-018 Quote punctuation follows locale policy IF quoted material meets other punctuation, THEN apply the declared regional or house style ELSE retain. Context default
- PUN-019 Ellipsis marks omission or trailing thought IF words are omitted from quoted material OR speech deliberately trails off, THEN use an ellipsis according to style; ELSE do not use it as vague decoration. Context default
- PUN-020 Punctuation preserves hierarchy IF nested structures use indistinguishable boundaries, THEN assign stronger marks to higher-level divisions OR split the sentence ELSE retain. Hard constraint
The file
Served verbatim at /v1/files/punctuation-rules.
{
"title": "Punctuation as Meaning and Boundary",
"version": "1.0.0",
"rule_count": 20,
"rules": [
{
"id": "PUN-001",
"name": "Terminate complete sentences",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "sentence",
"strength": "hard_constraint",
"human_logic": "IF a prose sentence is complete, THEN end it with a mark matching statement, direct question, or strong exclamation ELSE keep it joined to its governing structure.",
"when": {
"path": "sentence.complete",
"operator": "eq",
"value": true
},
"then": [
{
"action": "select",
"target": "sentence.terminal_mark",
"map": {
"statement": ".",
"direct_question": "?",
"exclamation": "!"
}
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "current_text",
"reason": "No triggering condition is present."
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "Terminal punctuation marks closure and sentence force.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-002",
"BK-009",
"WEB-011"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-002",
"name": "No comma splice",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "sentence",
"strength": "hard_constraint",
"human_logic": "IF two independent clauses are joined only by a comma, THEN add a coordinator, use a semicolon, or make two sentences ELSE retain.",
"when": {
"all": [
{
"path": "sentence.independent_clause_count",
"operator": "gte",
"value": 2
},
{
"path": "sentence.joiner",
"operator": "eq",
"value": "comma_only"
}
]
},
"then": [
{
"action": "restructure",
"target": "sentence.joiner",
"options": [
"comma_plus_coordinator",
"semicolon",
"period"
]
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "current_text",
"reason": "No triggering condition is present."
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "A comma alone normally does not mark the full boundary between independent clauses.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-002",
"BK-007",
"WEB-011"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-003",
"name": "Comma before coordinating conjunction",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "sentence",
"strength": "context_default",
"human_logic": "IF a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses, THEN place a comma before it unless the clauses are very short and unambiguous ELSE retain.",
"when": {
"all": [
{
"path": "coordination.joins",
"operator": "eq",
"value": "independent_clauses"
},
{
"path": "coordination.marker",
"operator": "in",
"value": [
"and",
"but",
"or",
"nor",
"for",
"so",
"yet"
]
}
]
},
"then": [
{
"action": "insert",
"target": "coordination.pre_marker_punctuation",
"value": ","
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "current_text",
"reason": "No triggering condition is present."
}
],
"unless": [
{
"all": [
{
"path": "coordination.clauses_short",
"operator": "eq",
"value": true
},
{
"path": "coordination.ambiguity",
"operator": "eq",
"value": false
}
]
}
],
"because": "The comma displays the boundary while the conjunction displays the relationship.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-002",
"BK-007",
"WEB-011"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-004",
"name": "Comma after introductory material",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "sentence",
"strength": "context_default",
"human_logic": "IF introductory material is long, clausal, or potentially misread, THEN add a comma before the main clause ELSE use the lightest mark that preserves clarity.",
"when": {
"all": [
{
"path": "sentence.introduction.exists",
"operator": "eq",
"value": true
},
{
"any": [
{
"path": "sentence.introduction.type",
"operator": "eq",
"value": "clause"
},
{
"path": "sentence.introduction.word_count",
"operator": "gte",
"value": 5
},
{
"path": "sentence.introduction.misread_risk",
"operator": "eq",
"value": true
}
]
}
]
},
"then": [
{
"action": "insert",
"target": "sentence.introduction.boundary",
"value": ","
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "current_text",
"reason": "No triggering condition is present."
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "A visible boundary prevents the introduction from being parsed as part of the main clause.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-002",
"BK-007",
"WEB-011"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-005",
"name": "Set off nonrestrictive material",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "phrase",
"strength": "hard_constraint",
"human_logic": "IF a modifier adds nonessential information rather than identifying the referent, THEN set it off with paired punctuation ELSE do not set it off.",
"when": {
"path": "modifier.restrictiveness",
"operator": "eq",
"value": "nonrestrictive"
},
"then": [
{
"action": "wrap",
"target": "modifier",
"punctuation": "commas_or_contextual_pair"
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "modifier",
"punctuation": "unpaired"
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "Punctuation distinguishes supplementary information from information needed to identify the referent.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-002",
"BK-007",
"BK-039"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-006",
"name": "Do not isolate restrictive material",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "phrase",
"strength": "hard_constraint",
"human_logic": "IF a modifier identifies which person or thing is meant, THEN remove punctuation that falsely marks it as optional ELSE evaluate as nonrestrictive.",
"when": {
"path": "modifier.restrictiveness",
"operator": "eq",
"value": "restrictive"
},
"then": [
{
"action": "delete",
"target": "modifier.surrounding_commas"
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "current_text",
"reason": "No triggering condition is present."
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "Removing a restrictive modifier changes reference, so it should not be marked as detachable.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-002",
"BK-007",
"BK-039"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-007",
"name": "Serial comma follows declared style",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "sentence",
"strength": "context_default",
"human_logic": "IF a series contains three or more coordinated items, THEN apply the selected serial-comma policy consistently AND add a comma when omission causes ambiguity ELSE retain.",
"when": {
"path": "series.item_count",
"operator": "gte",
"value": 3
},
"then": [
{
"action": "apply_policy",
"target": "series.final_separator",
"policy_from": "document.style.serial_comma"
},
{
"action": "insert",
"target": "series.final_separator",
"when": "ambiguity_without_comma",
"value": ","
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "current_text",
"reason": "No triggering condition is present."
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "Consistency lowers friction, while clarity overrides optional house-style omission.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-003",
"BK-005",
"BK-007",
"BK-039"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-008",
"name": "Semicolon joins related independent clauses",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "sentence",
"strength": "context_default",
"human_logic": "IF two independent clauses are closely related AND no coordinator is used, THEN a semicolon is available ELSE choose another boundary.",
"when": {
"all": [
{
"path": "sentence.adjacent_units",
"operator": "eq",
"value": "independent_clauses"
},
{
"path": "sentence.semantic_relation",
"operator": "in",
"value": [
"contrast",
"continuation",
"cause",
"parallel"
]
},
{
"path": "sentence.coordinator",
"operator": "missing",
"value": true
}
]
},
"then": [
{
"action": "select",
"target": "sentence.boundary",
"value": ";"
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "select",
"target": "sentence.boundary",
"options": [
"period",
"comma_plus_coordinator",
"colon_when_explanatory"
]
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "A semicolon marks grammatical independence and close conceptual linkage.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-002",
"BK-009",
"WEB-011"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-009",
"name": "Semicolons clarify complex series",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "sentence",
"strength": "context_default",
"human_logic": "IF list items contain internal commas, THEN separate top-level items with semicolons ELSE use commas.",
"when": {
"all": [
{
"path": "series.item_count",
"operator": "gte",
"value": 3
},
{
"path": "series.items_contain_commas",
"operator": "eq",
"value": true
}
]
},
"then": [
{
"action": "replace",
"target": "series.top_level_separator",
"value": ";"
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "series.top_level_separator",
"preferred": ","
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "Distinct separator levels make hierarchy visible.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-002",
"BK-009",
"BK-039"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-010",
"name": "Colon follows a complete setup",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "sentence",
"strength": "hard_constraint",
"human_logic": "IF a colon introduces an explanation, list, example, or amplification, THEN ensure the material before it can stand as a complete clause ELSE remove or recast.",
"when": {
"path": "sentence.colon_function",
"operator": "in",
"value": [
"explanation",
"list",
"example",
"amplification"
]
},
"then": [
{
"action": "verify",
"target": "sentence.pre_colon_clause",
"require": "independent_clause"
},
{
"action": "restructure",
"target": "sentence",
"when": "pre_colon_incomplete",
"options": [
"remove_colon",
"complete_setup"
]
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "current_text",
"reason": "No triggering condition is present."
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "A colon points forward from a grammatically complete setup.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-002",
"BK-009",
"WEB-011"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-011",
"name": "Apostrophe marks possession or omission",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "word",
"strength": "hard_constraint",
"human_logic": "IF an apostrophe is present, THEN verify that it marks possession, contracted omission, or a declared special style ELSE remove it.",
"when": {
"path": "token.contains_apostrophe",
"operator": "eq",
"value": true
},
"then": [
{
"action": "verify",
"target": "token.apostrophe_function",
"allowed": [
"possession",
"contraction",
"declared_style_exception"
]
},
{
"action": "delete",
"target": "token.apostrophe",
"when": "no_allowed_function"
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "current_text",
"reason": "No triggering condition is present."
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "Apostrophes do not ordinarily form simple plurals.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-002",
"BK-009",
"BK-039"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-012",
"name": "Possessive form follows number and style",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "word",
"strength": "context_default",
"human_logic": "IF a noun is possessive, THEN apply the declared singular/plural/proper-name convention consistently ELSE retain.",
"when": {
"path": "noun.case",
"operator": "eq",
"value": "possessive"
},
"then": [
{
"action": "apply_policy",
"target": "noun.possessive_form",
"policy_from": "document.style.possessives"
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "current_text",
"reason": "No triggering condition is present."
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "Possessive conventions vary slightly, so declared consistency matters.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-003",
"BK-007",
"BK-039"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-013",
"name": "Hyphenate ambiguity-prone compound modifiers",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "phrase",
"strength": "context_default",
"human_logic": "IF multiple words jointly modify a following noun AND grouping is not immediately clear, THEN hyphenate the compound ELSE omit unnecessary hyphens.",
"when": {
"all": [
{
"path": "modifier.position",
"operator": "eq",
"value": "before_noun"
},
{
"path": "modifier.word_count",
"operator": "gte",
"value": 2
},
{
"path": "modifier.grouping_ambiguous",
"operator": "eq",
"value": true
}
]
},
"then": [
{
"action": "insert",
"target": "modifier.internal_separator",
"value": "-"
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "delete",
"target": "modifier.unnecessary_hyphen",
"when": "standard_open_or_adverb_ly_pattern"
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "Hyphens can show which words operate as one modifier.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-003",
"BK-007",
"BK-039"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-014",
"name": "Dash marks deliberate interruption or emphasis",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "sentence",
"strength": "creative_option",
"human_logic": "IF the intended relation is an abrupt break, strong insertion, or emphatic turn, THEN an em dash is available ELSE prefer ordinary syntax and punctuation.",
"when": {
"path": "sentence.intended_effect",
"operator": "in",
"value": [
"abrupt_break",
"strong_insertion",
"emphatic_turn"
]
},
"then": [
{
"action": "select",
"target": "sentence.punctuation",
"value": "em_dash",
"limit": "avoid_repetitive_use"
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "current_text",
"reason": "No triggering condition is present."
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "The em dash carries more visual and rhetorical force than a comma or parentheses.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-005",
"BK-009",
"BK-019"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-015",
"name": "Parentheses subordinate removable detail",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "sentence",
"strength": "context_default",
"human_logic": "IF material is useful but structurally secondary AND the sentence remains grammatical without it, THEN parentheses are available ELSE integrate or delete it.",
"when": {
"all": [
{
"path": "insertion.secondary",
"operator": "eq",
"value": true
},
{
"path": "insertion.removal_preserves_grammar",
"operator": "eq",
"value": true
}
]
},
"then": [
{
"action": "wrap",
"target": "insertion",
"punctuation": "parentheses"
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "restructure",
"target": "insertion",
"options": [
"integrate",
"delete",
"footnote"
]
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "Parentheses signal a stronger drop in emphasis than commas.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-007",
"BK-009",
"BK-039"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-016",
"name": "Question mark only for direct questions",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "sentence",
"strength": "hard_constraint",
"human_logic": "IF the sentence directly asks a question, THEN use a question mark; IF it reports a question, use statement punctuation ELSE retain.",
"when": {
"any": [
{
"path": "sentence.force",
"operator": "eq",
"value": "direct_question"
},
{
"path": "sentence.force",
"operator": "eq",
"value": "indirect_question"
}
]
},
"then": [
{
"action": "select",
"target": "sentence.terminal_mark",
"map": {
"direct_question": "?",
"indirect_question": "."
}
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "current_text",
"reason": "No triggering condition is present."
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "Direct and reported questions have different grammatical force.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-002",
"BK-009"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-017",
"name": "Quotation marks require a quotation function",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "phrase",
"strength": "hard_constraint",
"human_logic": "IF quotation marks appear, THEN verify direct quotation, title convention, coined term, or explicit distancing; otherwise remove scare quotes.",
"when": {
"path": "phrase.quotation_marks",
"operator": "eq",
"value": true
},
"then": [
{
"action": "verify",
"target": "phrase.quotation_function",
"allowed": [
"direct_quote",
"short_work_title",
"term_as_term",
"explicit_distancing"
]
},
{
"action": "delete",
"target": "phrase.quotation_marks",
"when": "function_missing"
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "current_text",
"reason": "No triggering condition is present."
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "Unmotivated quotation marks create uncertainty about voice and commitment.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-005",
"BK-007",
"BK-039"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-018",
"name": "Quote punctuation follows locale policy",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "phrase",
"strength": "context_default",
"human_logic": "IF quoted material meets other punctuation, THEN apply the declared regional or house style ELSE retain.",
"when": {
"path": "quotation.meets_other_punctuation",
"operator": "eq",
"value": true
},
"then": [
{
"action": "apply_policy",
"target": "quotation.punctuation_placement",
"policy_from": "document.locale_and_style"
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "current_text",
"reason": "No triggering condition is present."
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "American and British conventions differ; internal consistency prevents false corrections.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-003",
"BK-039"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-019",
"name": "Ellipsis marks omission or trailing thought",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "sentence",
"strength": "context_default",
"human_logic": "IF words are omitted from quoted material OR speech deliberately trails off, THEN use an ellipsis according to style; ELSE do not use it as vague decoration.",
"when": {
"any": [
{
"path": "quotation.omission",
"operator": "eq",
"value": true
},
{
"path": "dialogue.trailing_off",
"operator": "eq",
"value": true
}
]
},
"then": [
{
"action": "insert",
"target": "ellipsis",
"style_from": "document.style.ellipsis"
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "delete",
"target": "decorative_ellipsis"
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "An ellipsis should communicate a specific absence or vocal effect.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-007",
"BK-009",
"BK-039"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
},
{
"id": "PUN-020",
"name": "Punctuation preserves hierarchy",
"domain": "punctuation",
"layer": "sentence",
"strength": "hard_constraint",
"human_logic": "IF nested structures use indistinguishable boundaries, THEN assign stronger marks to higher-level divisions OR split the sentence ELSE retain.",
"when": {
"path": "sentence.boundary_hierarchy_clear",
"operator": "eq",
"value": false
},
"then": [
{
"action": "restructure",
"target": "sentence.boundaries",
"order": [
"comma",
"semicolon",
"period"
]
},
{
"action": "split",
"target": "sentence",
"when": "hierarchy_still_unclear"
}
],
"else": [
{
"action": "retain",
"target": "current_text",
"reason": "No triggering condition is present."
}
],
"unless": [],
"because": "Readers use punctuation strength to reconstruct grouping and relation.",
"diagnostics": [],
"examples": {},
"source_ids": [
"BK-008",
"BK-009",
"WEB-011"
],
"laka": {
"smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
"primary_axes": [
"scope",
"depth",
"magnitude",
"reversibility"
]
}
}
]
}