Separating Clauses in Garden-path Sentences?

Question

> While Nancy was dressing the baby played in the garden. I'm not sure where the first clause ends! After *baby* or after *dressing*? Please, suggest some way I can improve that sentence.

Answer 1

You need a comma after "dressing." There are two reasons: 1) "While Nancy was dressing" is a dependent clause starting the sentence, and 2) It is confusing without it, because you don't know if she was dressing herself or the baby until you finish reading the sentence.