How to Become a Better Writer: A Wattpad Guide

Q/A #4: Proper Grammar

These Q/As were taken from the chapter titled "TIP #4: Using Proper Grammar."

Q: What's the correct way to use the ; sign?

A: The semicolon (;) has several uses. For rules regarding the semicolon (when and how to use), refer to:

http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/semicolons.asp

You can also refer to dictionary.com:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/semicolon?s=t

For usage of the comma, go here:

http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp

Q: I have some questions that never really get answered [in school].

1) Is it: "Apple." or "Apple".

2) Is it: "But, how many times have you seen a squirrel bite its tail?" or "But how many times have you seen a squirrel bite its tail?"

A: For the first example, it would depend. Assuming that you you're writing American English, then it would be:

"Apple."

The standard rule for American punctuation states that:

"Periods go inside quotation marks, as do most commas, even if the punctuation is not part of the quote."

Naturally, there's an exception to this rule that you can find here:

http://m.wisegeek.org/when-do-commas-or-periods-go-inside-quotation-marks-and-when-do-they-go-outside.htm.

For British writing the rules on this might differ, and that's why I stated that it depends. You can also read up on British standards at that same link.

For the second example, it would be:

"But how many times have you seen a squirrel bite its tail?"

"But" is a conjunction and does not require a comma proceeding it here. You can read more about conjunctions in general here:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/conjunctions.htm

You can also learn more about starting a sentence with a conjunction here:

http://www.grammar.com/start-a-sentence-with-a-conjunction/

Q: What are - and : used for?

A: If you look in the chapter titled "DASHES: Using Proper Grammar," that will explain the dash (-) for you. Also, there are dashes and hyphens. Two different things. Hyphens you often find between two-digit numbers (see, I just used a hyphen). To learn about hyphens, check this site:

http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/hyphens.asp

The other symbol is a colon (:). Colons have many uses. One such use is to introduce items in a series. For example:

"I want you to purchase the following items at the store: bread, milk, oranges, and cereal."

Check out this site: http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/colons.asp

It goes in great detail about colon usage.

Q: I've always had a problem with their, they're, and I forgot the other one.

A: It's: there, their, and they're.

There - carries several meanings, serving as an adverb, pronoun, noun, or adjective.