Hi all!

I've noticed quite a lot of punctuation errors regarding commas and 
thought that I should give this little lecture that I got in english 
class years back.

Read it. Use it.  Use it all or just some of it.  Ignore it.  Whatever.  I 
just thought it might come in handy.

Sapphire, The Blue Tigress

*****

Use of comma:

1.  To separate items in a series.
2.  To separate two or more adjectives preceding a nown.
3.  Before _and_, _but_, _or_, _nor_, _for_, _yet_, when they join 
    independent clauses, unless very short.
4.  To set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases.
5.  After certain introductory elements,
    (a)  After words such as _well_, _yes_, _no_, _why_, etc., when they 
         begin a sentence.
    (b)  After an introductory participial phrase.
    (c)  After a succession of introductory prepositional phrases.
    (d)  After an introductory adverb clause.
6.  To set off expressions that interrupt the sentence.
    (a)  Appositives
    (b)  Words in direct address
    (c)  Parenthetical expressions
7.  In certain conventional situations.
8.  Wherever it may be needed for emphasis or clarity, whether or not one 
    of the above rules applies.
9.  Do not use unnecessary commas.


Use of semi-colon:

1.  Between two independent clauses not connected by a coordinating 
    conjunction.
2.  Between independent clauses joined by conjuctive adverbs.
3.  Between items of a series if they are already punctuated internally 
    by commas.
4.  To separate independent clauses if there are commas within clauses.


Use of colon:

1.  To mean "note what follows."
2.  Before a long formal statement.
3.  Between independent clauses when the second clause explains or 
    restates the idea in the first.