I must not have been paying attention during English class when we were learning about the colon. I have discovered that it is one busy little punctuation mark with several different jobs. At first look, all of the things the colon does can be a bit confusing. Once you read about all this classy punctuation mark does, its jobs make perfect sense.
The Classy Colon
What all does this classy punctuation mark do?
It is used to illustrate or emphasize text before the colon.
A colon should follow an independent clause. If the text before the colon is not able to stand alone as a complete sentence, it is incorrect to use a colon.
If you want to draw special attention to something, you can use a colon between the two independent clauses. The independent clause that follows the colon should illustrate the text before the colon.
The desire to write a book is not enough: it takes dedication, determination, and time.
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A colon is used to introduce a list.
This is one that I remember from my school days. A colon can be used to introduce a list of words, phrases, or clauses. There is a catch though: The colon introducing a list must follow an independent clause.
Right: There are three colors on the American flag: red, white, and blue.
Wrong: The three colors on the American flag are: red, white, and blue.
If the list is introduced by the word including, do not use a colon.
Right: I have lived in several different states, including Kentucky, Texas, and California.
Wrong: I have lived in several different states, including: Kentucky, Texas, and California.
I said that I remembered being taught that a colon introduces a list. I was taught that the words follows or following were always used before the colon. These words are normally used in more formal writings to introduce a list.
The schedule will be as follows: breakfast at 8:00 a.m., class at 8:30, lunch at 12:00.
The following items are not allowed in the room: cell phones and beepers.
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A colon can be used to introduce a quotation, dialogue, or excerpt.
If you want to add a bit of extra oomph to a particular piece of dialogue, you can introduce it with a colon instead of a comma.
Sammi had finally gathered enough strength to tell Kiel what she needed to: “You are no longer welcome in my house,” she said.
A colon can be used after a greeting.
A colon can be used after a greeting instead of a comma. It is more formal than a comma, so it shouldn’t be used in personal correspondence.
Dear Rebecca,
Dear Mr. Greenlee:
A colon can be used in a ratio.
In books and science texts, colons usually appear in ratios. There should not be any space between the numbers and the colon.
2:1
Colons are used in many types of numeric terms.
Many numeric terms call for the use of a colon.
times: 2:30 p.m.
time elapsed: She ran the race in 1:02:15.
books of the Bible: James 3:16
legal citation: Beattyville Municipal Code 2:135
A colon is placed between a title and its subtitle.
In bibliographies and in running text, a colon is used to separate a title from a subtitle.
The Immortal Game: Rise of the Water Bearer
Campaign and Election Reform: A Reference Handbook
Other information about the colon
Do not double space after a colon. When I went to school, I was taught to always double space after a colon. Apparently, things have changed.
How do you know whether to use a capital letter or a lowercase letter after a colon? If the text after the colon is not a complete sentence, it should begin with a lowercase letter, except when it begins with a proper noun or is a quotation.
The day is perfect for our picnic: no rain, warm temperature, sunny skies.
This motto inspired her each day: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
If the colon introduces two or more complete sentences, dialogue, or a proper noun, it begins with a capital letter.
The day is perfect for our picnic: There is no rain. The temperature is warm. The skies are sunny.
The colon doesn’t usually appear next to other punctuation marks, but there are a few exceptions.
parenthesis: A colon can come after a closing parenthesis, but never before one.
The deception was plain to see (but not for everyone): the man was a liar.
quotation mark: A colon can come after a closing quotation mark but not before one.
She testified to the “obvious”: the man was a liar.
A colon can follow an exclamation point or a quotation mark if a proper name or title ends with one.
Which of the following authors wrote Oh, the Places You’ll Go!: Artie Knapp, Dr. Seuss, or Keren Yadid?
The Sassy Semicolon
The proud and sassy semicolon feels it is too good to do all the things its sibling the colon does, so this punctuation mark has only two jobs.
A Semicolon Connects Closely Related Independent Clauses
Let’s say you have two independent clauses. They are closely related, and you don’t want to bring a halt to the train of thought with a period to separate them. You don’t want to join them with a conjunction either. What do you do? This is where the semicolon will help you out.
Linda loves black cats; Bagheera is one of them.
When a conjunctive adverb connects two closely related independent clauses, a semicolon is again called on to do its job.
What are the conjunctive adverbs?
accordingly, also
besides
consequently, conversely
finally, furthermore
hence, however
indeed, instead
likewise
meanwhile, moreover
nevertheless, next, nonetheless
otherwise
similarly, still, subsequently
then, therefore, thus
I need to get up earlier than usual in the morning; therefore, I am going to bed unusually early tonight.
Expressions such as that is, in other words, for example, and namely can be preceded by a semicolon if they connect closely related clauses.
Your dad is already in bed; in other words, you need to be quiet.
A Semicolon Separates Items in Lists
Most of the time, separation of items in a list can be made clear by commas. Then there are lists that become rather awkward when commas are the only punctuation mark used for separation. This is when the semicolon is called upon to make their separation more clear.
Wrong: I have lived in Ashland, Kentucky, Fairfield, California, Lubbock, Texas, and Beattyville, Kentucky.
Right: I have lived in Ashland, Kentucky; Fairfield, California; Lubbock, Texas; and Beattyville, Kentucky.
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Conjunctions and Commas
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Single Quotation Marks vs. Regular Quotation Marks vs. Italics
