“The humble comma arose when a Greek scholar invented a single dot system to show the breath needed between phrases. Small, yet mighty, the comma can change meaning: “Let’s eat grandma!”. “Let’s eat, grandma!” Commas save lives.
The comma’s more complex cousin, the semicolon, is the most misunderstood punctuation mark. Dating back to when an Italian scholar wanted to allow for a slightly longer breath, the semicolon acts as a prolonged pause without losing the train of thought.
Commas and semicolons should be as prevalent in our lives as in our writing. When was the last time you took a comma coffee? Or a semicolon sabbatical? Whether brief or prolonged, a pause gives time to reflect, collect thoughts, and proceed with clarity.”
— Delphine Dall’Agata, Slow Learning.
UX WITH ELA 