Before we get started, the answer to your question actually depends on where you live.

More specifically, THE FOLLOWING RULES ARE FOR AMERICAN ENGLISH, which is very strict when it comes to putting commas and periods in and around quotation marks. British English uses rules that allow the writer to determine whether the period or comma belong with the quotation or are part of the larger sentence. (See below.)

If you want to be “safe,” go with the rules for American English: if nothing else, it’s consistent and “predictable.” (See what we did there with the punctuations after “safe” and “predictable”?)

(Source: theyuniversity, via theyuniversity)

That basically answers what a semicolon does. The comma, on the other hand, is much more complicated. Click HERE for an excellent piece from the New York Times that tackles the comma.

If you have additional questions, feel free to tweet us @The_YUNiversity. Cheers.

(Source: theyuniversity, via theyuniversity)

(Source: theyuniversity, via theyuniversity)

Before we get started, the answer to your question actually depends on where you live.

More specifically, THE FOLLOWING RULES ARE FOR AMERICAN ENGLISH, which is very strict when it comes to putting commas and periods in and around quotation marks. British English uses rules that allow the writer to determine whether the period or comma belong with the quotation or are part of the larger sentence. (See below.)

If you want to be “safe,” go with the rules for American English: if nothing else, it’s consistent and “predictable.” (See what we did there with “safe” and “predictable”?)

(Source: theyuniversity, via theyuniversity)

The comma is probably the least understood punctuation of all time. Even people who have a firm grasp of grammar often devise ways to avoid using commas in tricky situations (for fear of misusing them). 

Fortunately, the Internet is full of helpful tips on overcoming “commaphobia.” Read THIS excellent piece from the New York Times called “The Most Comma Mistakes.”

You have to do a little bit of reading, but it will definitely be time well spent.

That basically answers what a semicolon does. The comma, on the other hand, is much more complicated. Click HERE for an excellent piece from the New York Times that tackles the comma.

If you have additional questions, feel free to tweet us @The_YUNiversity. Cheers.

(Source: theyuniversity, via theyuniversity)

(Source: theyuniversity, via theyuniversity)

(Source: theyuniversity)