Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[welkins2139]

I will study better if she goes away.

I will study better unless she goes away.

I will feel happier if she says " sorry".

I will feel happier unless she says " sorry".

Should a comma put in inside a quotation?

Are they OK?

Thank you

[CP]

Both sentences with "if" are right; you wouldn't use "unless" there. But if you want to use unless and keep the same meaning as the "if" sentences, try these:

"I will not study well unless she goes away."

"I will not be happy unless she says she is sorry."

As for commas, in the U.S.A., and not necessarily everywhere else in the English-speaking world, commas and periods go inside the quote marks almost without exception. Question marks and exclamation marks go inside if they are part of the quotation, outside if not. Semicolons and colons generally go outside. Examples:

"Well," said Ben, "who said it, then?"

"I don't know," answered Betty. "I thought it was the 'big man'!"

"No," said Ben. "The 'big man' would never say, 'Let's play hopscotch!', would he?"

Hope this is helpful.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb