the use of punctuation: You always knew Barbara was going places; she was different.

[lagoo]

Regarding the use of punctuation:

1）You always knew Barbara was going places; she was different.
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/go-places
After places, it is a semicolon.

2）You always knew Barbara was going places, she was different.
In a printed version of Collins dictionary, link
After places, it is a comma.​

So which one is correct?

 

[GoesStation]

The comma is incorrect. You could use a semicolon or replace it with a period ("full stop" in British English) and make two sentences.

 

[lagoo]

The comma is incorrect. You could use a semicolon or replace it with a period ("full stop" in British English) and make two sentences.

What about this one:

Beijing's decision to stick by Lam makes sense, replacing her would have opened a can of worms in an already unstable environment.
(https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/05/asia/hong-kong-carrie-lam-xi-jinping-intl-hnk/index.html)

The author used the comma after the first sentence. Is that punctuation wrong either?

 

[teechar]

What about this one?

Beijing's decision to stick by Lam makes sense, replacing her would have opened a can of worms in an already unstable environment.
(https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/05/asia/hong-kong-carrie-lam-xi-jinping-intl-hnk/index.html)

The author used [STRIKE]the[/STRIKE] a comma after the first sentence. Is that punctuation wrong too? [STRIKE]either?[/STRIKE]

Note that "either" is not used like that.

Yes. That comma is wrong. A semicolon would work there.

 

[lagoo]

Note that "either" is not used like that.

That is really helpful.
I like the way a teacher corrects any error you make in a reply.

 

[Rover_KE]

We aim to please, as my decorator, Matt Phinnish, always says.

 

[Tarheel]

I like the way a teacher corrects any error you make in a reply.

Well, teechar is nearly perfect, but if there are a lot of errors in a post I might miss a few.