IMO = In My Opinion
IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

When I finally read this part of the post, it bothered me. Maybe you need help since you don't seem to know when to use a semicolon. It has no relation to length of pause. I have yet to see metered words or pauses which denote a designated period of time in language.

The three rules for the use of a semicolon are as follows:

1. Use a semicolon when combining two related independant clauses when omitting a conjunction (and, so, but).
- I went the store; they were out of milk.

2. Use a semicolon when combining two independant clauses connected by a transition phrase (above all, in this case, in light of this).
- Some demons can be hard to kill; when all else fails, use fire.

3. Use a semicolon in a list when the list contains punctuation.
- There are red crayons, which include scarlet, brick red, and sanguine; blue crayons, such as sky blue, periwinkle, or navy blue; and yellows, like dandelion, sunflower, or yellow orange.

Also note that when observing the rules of semicolons and using quotations, the semicolon is placed outside the marks, unlike comma, which is placed inside.
- In attempt to create an alibi, Billy lied, "I was picking flowers in the meadow with Jimmy"; though in fact, he was the one who ate all the blueberries in Mother's kitchen.

yeah, thats about right (OK its completely right).

I always used to think of a semicolon as a fullstop above a comma, like a comma at the end of a sentance to link to the next sentance where there should be neither a fullstop or a comma.

One of the things I hate dealing with at many boards is the general illiteracy. For this guide to grammar in the proper use of the English language, I commend you.

I have one new person over at PFU. Now, normally I get annoyed when the youngin's fail to use good punctuation, spelling, or other basic English skills they should have learned by the time they hit 12-14. (I mean, for chrissakes, 1st Grade still starts around 6 or 7, right?)

However, most of them at least have the sense to use PUNCTUATION. This particular ingrate doesn't even USE punctuation. ANYWHERE. He doesn't even use PERIODS for chrissakes.

I mean, bad English is one thing, but you have to be among the laziest people in the world not to put a bloody period at the end of your sentences.

Please continue with this guide, if it converts JUST ONE urchin to the side of proper grammar you will have my eternal gratitude.

i totlly agr33 d00d3!!!! :roll: Ok on a more serious note, I realize that I have always spaced after my commas, I don't know why. Just natural instinct I guess.

Ok two things. That section I wrote above took like ten minutes, I had to keep going over and capitalizing my I's. And second, I think the reason why I always space after my commas is in 7th grade my teacher gave me an F for not spacing, and I almost failed the grade. I guess it just stuck ever since.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and very nice guide

Thanks for all the comments guys. I just got a pit annoyed how some new people were typing so I made the guide to show them Pspoke expects more.

I may update the first page more.