AP Reminds Us Why Punctuation Really, Really Matters

For the one zillionth time, punctuation matters.

And not using it correctly, as the Associated Press showed Wednesday, can be the difference between reporting a news story and reporting a global tragedy.

Here's what the AP meant to say:

But here's what it originally said:

The tweet came just moments after news broke of a Transasia Airways plane that made an emergency crash landing in Taiwan, killing 51 people and injuring seven.

The tweet set off a chain of horrified reactions:

OMG @AP : BREAKING: Dutch military plane carrying bodies from Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 crash lands in Eindhoven.

_Nadine (@_01Katarina) July 23, 2014

@AP : BREAKING: Dutch military plane carrying bodies from Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 crash lands in Eindhoven. Seriously !?! WTF

badman (@Jay_McShorty) July 23, 2014

UPDATE (11:50): AP addressed the error Wednesday , calling it a "poorly worded alert."

"This was an especially regrettable lapse that drew wide attention as Dutch families awaited the return of their loved ones remains," AP wrote.