How to Use a Colon in a Sentence
Listen to your grammar., Use the colon to punctuate the end of a sentence when a list of items follows, as follows: The class will expose you to the following topics: politics, history, and economics., Use a colon between two sentences when the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Listen to your grammar.
A colon, technically speaking, is a punctuation mark consisting of two equally sized dots in a vertical configuration (see the image above).
It is used to mark a major division in a sentence, to indicate that what follows is an elaboration, summation, implication, etc., of what precedes it.
Think of the colon as a gate, inviting one to go on.
Want to know more? Read further: , This first-aid kit includes these items: a flashlight, an extra set of batteries, a space blanket, gauze, tape, and aspirin.
You have 3 choices:
1.
Buy the car.
2.
Buy the ticket.
3.
Save the money and take a nap. , She had it all: looks, intelligence, wit, and charm.
She also had a piercing gaze, and it was aimed at one place, and one place only: my heart.
This I know:
Do or do not.
There is no try. , Dear Mr.
Jones:
You know there's something happening, but you don't know what it is, do you? ,, It should have a subject and a predicate. , Her recipe for cake included flour, eggs, milk, and anchovies.
It was not widely appreciated. (Don't use a colon after "included.") His favorite cereals were hot buttered groat clusters, TastyWheat, and Frosted Chicken-Os. (No colon after "were.") She was a big fan of old movies.
For example, The Maltese Falcon, The Tramp, and Creature From the Black Lagoon. (No colon after "example.") , Incorrect:
The toys we took to the sleep over were: army men, hot wheels, and Barbie dolls.(The colon separates the verb from its complement).
Correct:
We took these toys to the sleep over: army men, hot wheels, and Barbie dolls.
Incorrect:
We have vacationed in:
Philippines, China, Thailand, and Hong Kong. (Colon separates the preposition from its object).
Correct:
We have taken a vacation in the following countries:
Philippines, China, Thailand, and Hong Kong. -
Step 2: Use the colon to punctuate the end of a sentence when a list of items follows
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Step 3: as follows: The class will expose you to the following topics: politics
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Step 4: history
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Step 5: and economics.
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Step 6: Use a colon between two sentences when the second sentence elaborates or explains the content of the first sentence.
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Step 7: The colon is the punctuation to reach for when you're writing a business or formal letter.
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Step 8: Use a colon to separate an independent clause from a quotation that the clause introduces: The director often used his favorite quotation from Shakespeare's The Tempest: As you from crimes would pardoned be
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Step 9: Let your indulgence set me free.
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Step 10: Remember this: the clause that precedes the punctuation mark should be able to stand on its own as an independent clause.
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Step 11: Don't use the colon in the following situations: When a clause includes an introductory word such as for example
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Step 12: or namely.
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Step 13: Remember this as well: Do not use a colon to introduce a list that is the complement of a verb or the object of a preposition.
Detailed Guide
A colon, technically speaking, is a punctuation mark consisting of two equally sized dots in a vertical configuration (see the image above).
It is used to mark a major division in a sentence, to indicate that what follows is an elaboration, summation, implication, etc., of what precedes it.
Think of the colon as a gate, inviting one to go on.
Want to know more? Read further: , This first-aid kit includes these items: a flashlight, an extra set of batteries, a space blanket, gauze, tape, and aspirin.
You have 3 choices:
1.
Buy the car.
2.
Buy the ticket.
3.
Save the money and take a nap. , She had it all: looks, intelligence, wit, and charm.
She also had a piercing gaze, and it was aimed at one place, and one place only: my heart.
This I know:
Do or do not.
There is no try. , Dear Mr.
Jones:
You know there's something happening, but you don't know what it is, do you? ,, It should have a subject and a predicate. , Her recipe for cake included flour, eggs, milk, and anchovies.
It was not widely appreciated. (Don't use a colon after "included.") His favorite cereals were hot buttered groat clusters, TastyWheat, and Frosted Chicken-Os. (No colon after "were.") She was a big fan of old movies.
For example, The Maltese Falcon, The Tramp, and Creature From the Black Lagoon. (No colon after "example.") , Incorrect:
The toys we took to the sleep over were: army men, hot wheels, and Barbie dolls.(The colon separates the verb from its complement).
Correct:
We took these toys to the sleep over: army men, hot wheels, and Barbie dolls.
Incorrect:
We have vacationed in:
Philippines, China, Thailand, and Hong Kong. (Colon separates the preposition from its object).
Correct:
We have taken a vacation in the following countries:
Philippines, China, Thailand, and Hong Kong.
About the Author
Anna Palmer
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow lifestyle tutorials.
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