Hi I need some help with English vocabulary. I am not sure when to put comma (,) or is there only space like this xxxx: xxxx or is it xxx : xxx more correct? Thanks in advance folks.

Put the comma directly after the first word then leave a space after the comma before the 2nd word.

<font color=skyblue>These days, the use of the comma has diminished. Less is expected of it these days. It used to be used heavier, but now it seems that its use depends on the education of the user, whether he learned the old-school way or the new-school way. Get it?

Okay, as you can see, I can use commas this way, just as I am typing to give a little emphasis to the next phrase of my sentence. I will repeat what I just said, using the new comma rule:

Okay, as you can see I can use commas this way just as I am typing to give a little emphassis to the next phrase of my sentence.

See the difference? Both ways are acceptable in college grammer. Mostly, it will depend on the teacher grading the paper on whether she will count it right or wrong. You have to learn the quirks of the teacher and then please her, otherwise commas can be used really anywhere that they seem right. Or you can leave them out. For example, I could have used a comma right there instead of the period after the word "right", to have said:

You have to learn the quirks of the teacher and then please her, otherwise commas can be used anywhere that they seem right, or you can leave them out.

Commas are used also to make run-on sentences work more appropriately.

As for the colon mark, you are to place it with no space after the word that precedes it, then space once afterward, like this: See?

I hope this was not too long-winded.</font>

<font color=skyblue>
Comma = ","
Colon = ":"</font>

One more thing. Is there a space between a word and a question mark (?) or not?

Nope; like this, see?

I don't like to nitpick (much!!) but it's grammar you are asking for help on, not vocabulary.

;)

Not if I'm marking ;) . I've just finished marking my first lot of 1st year essays and I can tell you they'll nearly all learn something about grammar (and spelling - anyone else have the sensation of fingernails down a blackboard when they see there instead of their? [img]graemlins/idontagreeatall.gif[/img] ;) ) when they get them back :D

I abhor the loss of the comma. A lot of times it affects the meaning of the sentence to leave it out, for instance "However they found it..." means something different to However, they found it...". Much like the apostrophe, which a lot of people seem to think is optional these days, the comma does have a linguistic purpose - that hasn't changed!

<font color=skyblue>With that point I agree with you. I use the comma extensively, as I have been told, so you have no quarrel with me. I was just citing my English Grammer text book. I could reference the exact quote for you if it is important, but I do not think that you need proof.

I am glad to hear of teachers keeping the old ways alive. :D </font>