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Colons

LEARN FOUR USES FOR THE COLON (:)

A colon (:) is a mark of punctuation that appears within a sentence. Never use a colon at the end of a sentence.

Use a colon

  1. Between independent (main) clauses.
  2. After an independent clause to introduce information.
  3. To introduce direct quotations.
  4. For other purposes.

THE COLON BETWEEN INDEPENDENT (MAIN) CLAUSES

Sometimes, you can use an independent clause to explain, add to, or clarify the meaning of another. You should separate these clauses with a colon.

Stephen King has been busy: he has written more than 27 novels since 1974.

THE COLON AFTER AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE TO INTRODUCE INFORMATION

You can place a colon after an independent clause to introduce information naming something in that clause.

Alaska is rich in several natural resources: oil, gold, copper, and uranium.
Only one city is called "eternal": Rome.

THE COLON TO INTRODUCE DIRECT QUOTATIONS

You can use a colon to introduce a direct quotation.

The prisoner pleaded with his accusers: "I am innocent. Innocent, I tell you!"

CAUTION:

Don't use a colon to introduce a direct quotation if that quotation is needed to make the sentence you're writing complete.

Not:Pope wrote that: "to err is human."
But:Pope wrote that "to err is human."

The Colon for Other Purposes

1. In the salutation of a business letter:

Dear Professor Johnson:

2. To separate hours and minutes:

10:55 P.M.

3. Before a subtitle:

Thomas More: A Biography

CAUTION:

Do not use a colon to separate objects or complements from verbs . A direct object is the receiver of an action. A complement comes after the verb and describes the subject.

Object

Not :She bought: a saw, a hammer, and a drill.
But:She bought a saw, a hammer, and a drill.

Complement

Not:He is: a good speller but a bad typist.
But: He is a good speller but a bad typist.

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