Generally, you should NOT use a comma to close a quotation.
* Direct Quotations: When you're directly quoting someone, you use quotation marks to indicate the exact words spoken or written. You would typically end the quotation with a period, exclamation point, or question mark, placing these inside the closing quotation mark.
* Example: She said, "I'm going to the store."
* Indirect Quotations: If you're paraphrasing or summarizing someone else's words, you don't need quotation marks. Punctuation follows the standard rules for sentences.
* Example: She said that she was going to the store.
Situations Where a Comma Might Be Appropriate
There are some rare exceptions, but they're very specific:
* Quotation as Part of a Longer Sentence: If the quotation is part of a longer sentence, and you're not ending the sentence with the quotation, you might use a comma after the closing quotation mark:
* Example: He said, "I'm going to the store," and then he left.
* Dialogue: In dialogue, you can use a comma after the closing quotation mark to separate the speaker from the dialogue tag:
* Example: "I'm going to the store," she said.
Key Takeaway:
The most common rule is to use a period, exclamation point, or question mark to close a direct quotation. Using a comma is generally only correct in specific cases.
If you're unsure, it's always best to consult a grammar guide or a style manual like the Chicago Manual of Style or the MLA Handbook.