Colons
 1.
The colon is used to introduce
a strong pause within a sentence.
2. It separates two clauses
which could stand alone
as separate sentences, but
which are linked in some way.
3.
It
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.
3.
It
normally
precedes
a
long
quotation
or
a
speech:
Speaking
at
Caesar's
funeral,
Anthony
addresses
the
crowd: "Friends,
Romans,
countrymen
..."
4.
It
is
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.
5.
It
is
used
to
indicate
a
sharp
contrast:
My
brother
likes
oranges:
my
sister
hates
them.
6.
Note
that
the
colon
followed
by
a
dash
(:–)
is never necessary.
Some
people
put
these
before
a
list,
but
the
colon
alone
is
enough.
7.
The
colon
is
also
used
between
the
title
and
the
sub-title
of
a
book:
Magical
Realism:
Latin-American
fiction
today
8.
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.
9.
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.
10.
The
colon
requires
careful
handling.
If
you
are
in
any
doubt,
use
separate
sentences.
|
