Specific rules explaining where to put commas (', ')

[Butterfly]

I have never studied specific rules explaining where to put commas (" , ")...

I'm afraid the only definite rule I know concerns putting a comma in case there is a non-defining relative clause.

Please,help me! :) I would like to know if there are any other rules for using commas.

[Tamara]

Hi Batterfy

When I asked the question last time :), the main rule I was given was 'When in doubt, leave it out.'

As you can see if you like :) (Below is the link to my old 'academic'-commas-thread)

Commas: too "academic" English?
http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic11668.html

Let's see, maybe someone says some more... :)
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[SkiIucK]

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2006-21,GGLG:en&q=english+commas

I hope this would help.

[Anoopbal]

This is what I have heard out commas: Use them according to how you wish your readers to read your writing. If you want them to pause, use a comma. Or else dont. The same goes for any other punctuation. (and did I get the colon right?)

Is there any truth to it or comma's have to go according to the rules?

Anoop