Final answer:
In MySQL, queries are always followed by a semicolon (;), which indicates the end of a statement. This is required for the correct execution of SQL commands, similar to how punctuation is used in written language to distinguish between sentences or clauses.
Step-by-step explanation:
In MySQL, queries are always followed by a semicolon (;). This punctuation mark is used to indicate the end of a statement, allowing the MySQL engine to understand where one command ends and another begins. It is analogous to a period in written language, which ends declarative (statement) and imperative (command) sentences, such as 'The administration canceled classes.' In scripting languages and databases, the semicolon plays a similar role in separating distinct commands or queries.
Just as punctuation like colons and semicolons go outside quotation marks in English grammar, the semicolon in MySQL follows the entire SQL statement. Furthermore, question marks and exclamation points have their specific rules in punctuation, noting their placement inside or outside quotation marks depending on whether they are part of the quotation. However, in MySQL, the consistent use of semicolons is essential for the proper execution of commands.