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Definition
 The
colon is used to introduce a strong pause within a sentence.
It
is the longest pause short of a full stop.
Examples
The colon is used to introduce a list:
The car has a number of optional extras: sun roof, tinted
windows, rear seat belts, and electrically operated wing mirrors.
The
colon separates two clauses which could
stand alone as separate sentences, but
which are linked by some relationship in meaning:
My brother likes oranges: my sister hates them.
The
colon is also used before a long quotation or a speech:
Speaking at Caesar's funeral, Anthony addresses the crowd: "Friends,
Romans, countrymen ..."
It
is also used before a clause which explains the previous statement:
The school is highly regarded: academic standards are
high, the staff are pleasant, and the students enjoy going there.
Use
The
colon can be used to provide emphasis, or to create
dramatic effect:
There can be only one reason for this problem:
his total incompetence.
It
is also used at the end of a statement which is followed
by an illustration:
The vase contains beautiful flowers: roses, tulips,
and daffodils.
Notice
that the items which follow a list are punctuated with commas if
they are a succession of individual words.
You will need four ingredients: flour, butter,
milk, and sugar.
If
the items in the list contain clauses or phrases these
may be punctuated with semicolons:
You will need the following materials: some scrap
paper; a pen, preferably blue or black; some envelopes;
and some good, white, unlined writing paper.
The
colon requires careful handling. If you are in any
doubt, use separate sentences.
The
colon is also used between the title and the sub-title
of a book:
Magical Realism: Latin-American fiction today.
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