Anatomy Mini-Lesson: The Colon

Colons to Introduce Use a colon to introduce lists, especially after statements that use such words as these, namely, the following, or as follows. Example– Friday’s test will cover these areas: the circulatory, the digestive, and the nervous system. Example– He requested the following: a roll of duct tape, an ice pick, and a roll of plastic sheeting.

Colons to Introduce: Don’t use a colon to introduce a list if the list immediately follows a verb or preposition. (Remember that the clause that precedes the mark (where you're considering a colon) ought to be able to stand on its own as an independent clause. Its purpose might be strictly to introduce the clause that follows, so it might feel rather incomplete by itself, but grammatically it will have both a subject and a predicate.) Her recipe for gunpowder included saltpeter, dry oatmeal, and ground-up charcoal briquettes. (no colon after "included") His favorite hobbies were surfing, reading, and sleeping. (no colon after "were") My uncle’s usual advice, I remember, was "Keep your head up and don’t let them get you down." (no colon after "was")

Colons to Introduce Use a colon to introduce material that illustrates, explains, or restates the preceding material. Example– I often wish my parents had had more than one child: they worry too much about me. Example– The epidemic grew ever more serious: now children as well as adults were being affected.

Colons to Introduce Use a colon to introduce a long or a formal quotation. A formal quotation is often preceded by such words as this, these, the following, or as follows. Example– Mrs. Connors had us write an essay on the following Chinese proverb: "A good opportunity is seldom presented and is easily lost."

Capitalizing after a Colon One FAQ about colons is whether we should begin an independent clause that comes after a colon with a capital letter. If the independent clause coming after the colon is a formal quote, begin that quote with a capital letter. Example– Whitehead had this to say about writing style: “Style is the ultimate morality of mind.” Example–Thoreau's philosophy might be summed up best by his repeated request for people to ignore the insignificant details of life: "Our life is frittered away by detail. An honest man has hardly need to count more than his ten fingers, or in extreme cases he may add his ten toes, and lump the rest. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!" If the explanatory statement coming after a colon consists of more than one sentence, begin the independent clause immediately after the colon with a capital letter: Example– There were two reasons for a drop in attendance at NBA games this season: First, there was no superstar to take the place of Michael Jordan. Second, fans were disillusioned about the misbehavior of several prominent players.

Capitalizing after a Colon If the introductory phrase preceding the colon is very brief and the clause following the colon expresses the real meaning of the sentence, begin the clause after the colon with a capital letter. Example– Remember: Many of the prominent families of this New England state were slaveholders prior to 1850. If the purpose of the introductory clause is just to introduce, and the purpose of the 2nd clause (the one after colon) is to express a rule, begin that second clause with a capital. Example– Let us not forget this point: Appositive phrases have an entirely different function than participial phrases and must not be regarded as dangling modifiers.

Other Uses of Colons Use a colon between the hour and the minute when expressing time. Use a colon between the chapter and the verse in the biblical references. Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter. Examples– 12:30 a.m. Genesis 7:20-24 Examples– Sir: Dear Ms. Davis:

Exercises Correctly punctuate the following sentences. I have only one thing to say to you Brett either attend the practice sessions or leave the team Yes Naomi class begins at 130 pm sharp Our assignment was to write a brief essay on this line from a Drake song Tuck my napkin in my shirt, cause Im just mobbin’ like that Curtis puts peanut butter on bread apples and pickles These are Megans favorite flowers daffodils lilacs and sunflowers

Exercises Correctly punctuate the following sentences. I have only one thing to say to you, Brett: either attend the practice sessions or leave the team. Yes, Naomi; class begins at 1:30 p.m. sharp. Our assignment was to write a brief essay on this line from a Drake song: “Tuck my napkin in my shirt, cause I'm just mobbin’ like that.” Curtis puts peanut butter on bread, apples, and pickles. These are Megan’s favorite flowers: daffodils, lilacs, and sunflowers.