Punctuation within a sentence can be sometimes confusing.  When we speak, our pausing or flowing with our words is understood.  In writing, it needs clarification.  That is why we have the comma, the colon, and the semicolon. 

The comma (,) is most often used in our writings. It can be used too heavily (that’s called being comma happy) or not at all. (Remember William Faulkner, the author who almost never used punctuation?  His books are not enjoyable to read.) 

The comma is used to separate clauses in a sentence: My favorite places at Gettysburg, Little Round Top and Devil’s Den, are going to be closed for a while.  It also joins two relative phrases, especially when using a conjunction (and, or, but) to connect them:  I would love to hike the Appalachian Trail, but I’m terrified of getting lost.  Commas are also essential when listing a series of items or phrases:  Other reasons to avoid the Appalachian Trail are poison ivy, ticks, rattlesnakes, and bears.   Commas are placed after an introductory clause (a clause that is joined by the main clause, or the main point to be made):  Without Buford’s insight, the Battle of Gettysburg would certainly have been a different fight.

It is important not to use commas where a period or semicolon would be better.  Sometimes a short sentence is fine.  Too many short sentences, though, make the writing jarring and disjointed:  I went to Gettysburg today. I walked the battlefield. I went through the orchards. I took pictures of some monuments.  Commas make it more pleasant to read:  I went to Gettysburg today. I walked the battlefield, went through the orchards, and took pictures of some monuments.          

There has been a long-standing controversy about the serial comma – the last comma in a series.  Some writers don’t use it; most do – at least most non-journalists employ it.  The sentence about poison ivy, rattlesnakes, and bears (above) is a good example of using the serial comma.  Taking out the comma between rattlesnakes and bears, then, would not utilize it.  It’s up to the individuality of the writer whether or not to avoid it.  Both are considered correct, although some grammarians would heartily disagree.

Another important usage of the comma comes when directing attention to a specific person or group:  Have you eaten, Mom? (Think of the image evoked if that comma is not used!)

The colon (:) is a stronger option for indicating pauses when writing.  It separates two phrases that need a strong pause between the first and second one.  In the Editor Letter at the beginning of the magazine every month, I write a clue about the issue’s Trivia Questions :  Here’s a hint to ace the Trivia: Read the articles first!   Whenever using a complete sentence after a colon, it should be capitalized.  When using single words with a colon, there is no need to capitalize the first word:  There are three things necessary for leadership: courage, compassion, and industry.   The colon in this instance is better than using a comma; it creates a pause and distinction for those three essential things. 

A colon, then, is not used as often as the comma.  Its use is meant for pause, for clarity, and for separation.

The halfway mark between the comma and the colon is the semicolon (;).  It is perhaps the most misunderstood grammatical mark.  It combines two similar yet independent clauses.  In other words, the semicolon connects two sentences, but gives the alignment a bit more of a flow:  General Lee was ill at the time of the battle; he suffered from heart disease.  If we used the same two phrases as sentences, it would be more terse:  General Lee was ill at the time of the battle.  He suffered from heart disease.  To employ the latter is still correct; the usage depends on how the writer wishes the words to come across to the reader.

When combining the sentences with a conjunction, it is incorrect to use a semicolon:  General Lee was ill during the battle; but he persevered anyway.  A comma should be utilized instead when using those little connector words.  The semicolon is correct if we wrote instead: General Lee was ill during the battle; he persevered anyway.

The English language is confusing, especially with the ratiocinations of grammar thrown in the mix.

Let's fix the punctuation, and pass the word!