Being a phrase and all, there is no capital letter. When the speaker had everyone’s attention, he made three concise points: First, success was only a stepping-stone on the path to happiness. Colons (:) introduce clauses or phrases that serve to describe, amplify, or restate what precedes them. Of my roughly 80 published papers, I have used a colon or a two-phrase title 14 times, and only four of those cases was I … It you’re listing items line by line, you should use … Howling in frustration, he stabbed downwards again and again: the steak was just too tough to cut. "Oh Harry," replied Mabel, "a similar object that protects against sun has another name altogether: parasol. As a clause—it has its own subject and verb and could in fact function alone as its own sentence, albeit a sentence of the question variety—it certainly looks like something that can start with a capital letter, but whether it does or not is simply a matter of style. Use a Colon in Ratios and Other Numeric Terms. Tap to unmute. When you use a colon to connect two full sentences, you … Colons with Lists. Set your young readers up for lifelong success. Let’s look at the same examples: Please bring these items: a towel, a swimming suit, and a hat. A colon can also introduce something that acts as an appositive. But the colon is also famously squirrely and difficult to use correctly: many folks are never quite sure where and when it should be placed in a sentence. A colon can be used to separate two independent clauses when a) the second clause is directly related to the first clause (not just vaguely related) and b) when the emphasis is on the second clause. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Note that what follows the colon is not capitalized, but it could be. When the quoted material is lengthy, it's usually set off from the rest of the text by indentation but not by quotation marks: Mabel was suddenly inspired to recite a bit of Lewis Carroll—specifically an excerpt from his 1871 Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There: All this time Tweedledee was trying his best to fold up the umbrella, with himself in it…. Examples: You know what to do: practice. They’d shoot him at dawn (and probably fricassee him, too): an ignoble end for such a renowned rooster. There it was, hanging on the bathroom wall—the remarkably lifelike painting of a dog walking a man on a leash. Titles with colons often make the titles longer and cutsier than necessary. She asked for only one thing: understanding. Or a dash? Delivered to your inbox! It introduces. She sloshed across the patio: eyes dry, galoshes full of mud and silt. Use a colon to separate chapters from verses in biblical references, and to separate volumes from page numbers in cited works. The two nouns/noun phrases—in this case "my neighbor" and "the doctor"—are said to stand "in grammatical apposition," which means that they have the same syntactical relation to the rest of the sentence.) When using a colon to introduce a list in this way, capitalization and ending punctuation aren’t always necessary. Overusing the colon: The colon is a powerful punctuation mark and should be used sparingly. Mistakes to Avoid When Using Colons. Mabel's response is unknown, which is just as well: the fact is that we've got nothing more to say about colon use in prose. And here's an example with a formal statement, or statement given special emphasis: "I'll remind you, Harry," stated Mabel somewhat imperiously, "that this same text poses the absurd rhetorical question: '… what is an umbrella but a parachute?'". Your email address will not be published. Third, the buffet table at the back of the room had caught fire. The clause following the colon is in apposition to "this" (which is a pronoun referring to "the crux of it all," if we're going to get technical about it). As before, do not capitalize the first word after the colon unless the noun is proper, or otherwise ordinarily capitalized. Use a Colon to Introduce a Quotation or Dialogue. For example, this summary could be written as "Colons can introduce many things: descriptors, quotes, lists, and more.". But don’t fret! Use a colon to express a ratio between two numbers. We use colons to introduce lists, series, quotations, and explanations. Using a Colon before a List in Sentence Style When using a colon to introduce a list in sentence style, the introduction itself (i.e., the text before the colon), should be an independent clause to justify the colon. A big source of confusion surrounding colons is when to use them in place of other punctuation marks, namely, dashes and ellipses. During the entire four-hour lecture, one name clung in her memory: Bernie. While the colon is simply two dots stacked : the semicolon is a dot hovering over a comma ; The semicolon does jobs that are also done by other punctuation marks, but puts its own spin on the task. Prince Philip dies at 99, infrastructure The 10 Most Common Grammar Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, 7 Common Editing Mistakes and How to Fix Them, How to Spell Better and Get Ahead in Life with Lessons from Spelling Bee Winners. Mabel was having none of it: she remained unmoved. Mistake #1: Always using a colon to introduce a list . Quotations are often introduced with terms like "He said," "She whispered," and "They shouted" (the verbs in these introductions are called verbs of attribution).Such an introduction can be followed by nothing, a comma, or a colon to separate it from the quotation. While you can also use a semicolon or a period between two independent-yet-related clauses, the colon is a little softer than the period, but a little harder than the semicolon. According to Mark Twain, anyway: 'We might have made the summit before night, but for a delay caused by the loss of an umbrella. But while a colon is formal, a dash is quick and casual, almost startled in its mannerisms. Use a Colon in Source Citations. Your email address will not be published. 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. We note in this aside that a colon is not used to separate a subject from its predicate; a noun from its verb; a verb from its object or complement; or a preposition from its object: And then there is the colon that introduces a list or series. That's from A Tramp Abroad.". Using a Colon before a List in Sentence Style When using a colon to introduce a list in sentence style, the introduction itself (i.e., the text before the colon), should be an independent clause to justify the colon. Colons can be used to start lists. Colons can be used to add emphasis when introducing single words or phrases. Use time, patience, and gravity to your benefit. Share. Use a colon to introduce an extended quotation. This handout explains the most common uses of three kinds of punctuation: semicolons (;), colons (:), and dashes (—). Titles with colons often make the titles longer and cutsier than necessary. So let’s quickly break down the difference between the three marks: The truth is, an em dash can sometimes perform the same function as a colon (see item 3 above: “Emphasis”). You may be required to bring many things: sleeping bags, pans, utensils, and warm clothing. Using the colon in a variety of ways shows professors and other academics that you have a firmer grasp of the English language. Info. Note: In these cases, an em dash (the longest of the dashes) can and often is used for the same purpose as the colon. What follows the colon is typically a word or phrase, so capitals are not be expected unless there's a proper noun or acronym: Harry was not about to abandon his position. Colons are used to introduce lists, quotes, separate items, and add further explanation. Incorrect. The list or series can also come before a summary statement: Harry's rejoinder was equally emphatic. When to Use a Colon with Examples. Learn a new word every day. Or a period? Use a Colon Before Listing Items with Bullet Points. between a grammatically complete introductory clause (one that could stand as a sentence) and a final phrase or clause that illustrates, extends, or amplifies the preceding thought. If the clause following the colon is a complete sentence, it begins with a capital letter. No matter what kind of sentence you’re writing, a colon always must come after an independent clause: a clause that can stand on its own as a sentence. You're signed out. Sir Neibold’s letter to his lady begins: “Fair Lady, I regret to inform you that I have suffered a permanent change of address…”. More conservative marks are concerned only with the ideas that came before them, but the colon is all about the future. Do not capitalize the first item after the colon (unless it's a proper noun). This one is simply a complete sentence without the colon. A colon is used to announce, introduce a list, a quotation, and before a final clause that explains something in the sentence. When two or more closely related sentences follow a colon, capitalize the first word that follows the colon. ), "But why limit it, then, to wet weather?" After reading the handout, you will be better able to decide when to use these forms of punctuation in your own writing. Use a Colon after a Greeting. The colon most often follows an independent clause, introducing a list, a clarification, an illustration, or related information. The list or series can also be composed of phrases: Mabel's reply was emphatic. Colons (:) introduce clauses or phrases that serve to describe, amplify, or restate what precedes them. Colons are also commonly used in prose to introduce quotations. The colon ( : ) and semicolon ( ; ) are frequently used incorrectly in place of each other. It’s true, I’ve killed my demons: my therapist makes his living sewing together new monsters from the parts. Yasmin yearned for two things, namely, to live, and to have fun. (Reminder: An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that refers to the same thing as another noun or noun phrase in the same sentence, and is usually right next to that other noun or noun phrase, like in "my neighbor the doctor." Incorrect. Finally, a colon can be used to show emphasis. How to use a word that (literally) drives some pe... Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz! The semicolon is the colon's quirkier sibling. ; Lisa only had one option left: divorce. You can see an example of this from earlier in the article. The phrase that comes after the colon usually explains or expands on what came before it. And as an added bonus, we’ll show you how it’s done: each rule we introduce will be illustrated with an example sentence or two, so you’ll see the colon in action plenty of times before we’re through. 1. Use a colon to emphasize either a single word or an entire phrase at the end of a sentence. For example, this summary could be written as "Colons … I was allowing the umbrella to remain lost, but the men murmured, and with reason, for in this exposed region we stood in peculiar need of protection against avalanches; so I went into camp and detached a strong party to go after the missing article.' For example: The winners were: Janet, John, and Michael. An independent clause is a group … Like a comma, it can separate elements in a series. Using a Colon before a Quotation Writers often ask whether they should use a comma, a colon, or nothing when introducing a quotation. Colons are also hard to find in stock photography, so just go with it. Colons, like anything, lose their novelty and effectiveness when overused. To further emphasize how colons can be utilized, let's identify all of the rules associated with it: Rule 1: a colon can be used to introduce a list in a sentence or one that is numbered or bulleted. between a grammatically complete introductory clause (one that could stand as a sentence) and a final phrase or clause that illustrates, extends, or amplifies the preceding thought. Short tempers, pilfered wigs, and broken china: the weekly bridge game was becoming an increasingly tense affair. Check out words from the year you were born and more! Did you enjoy this punctuation lesson? If Mabel was going to insist that umbrellas be conceived as appropriate for more than rain, then he was going to insist that they be deemed appropriate in all weather conditions: rain, sleet, snow, hail, and sun. Be consistent: capitalize the first letter in every clause that follows a colon, or always use lowercase. The first step towards a healthier lifestyle is simple:a good n… A colon often precedes an explanation, a list, a quotation, or a block quotation. Out of all the punctuation marks used in the English language, the colon is by far the most forward-thinking. It is not really necessary to get the entire colon tube into your colon in order to accomplish a "high" enema. Colons should only be used to introduce a list if what precedes the colon is a grammatically complete sentence. Often they are used to introduce a quote or a list that satisfies the previous statement. Seeker, seek no further: Jacob Mohr relishes the opportunity to work closely as an editor with the authors of tomorrow, creating new stories and exciting possibilities—and making the world a little more awesome, one book at a time. All three Ellis brothers are involved in the family business: Jethro paints, Willem sews, and Eustace disposes of the bodies. For example: The winners were: Janet, John, and Michael. Use a colon. (Note that in British English the style is typically to go lowercase. Here, the phrase following the colon illustrates what comes before it. Rule 1: Use a Colon after an Independent Clause. She sloshed across the patio—eyes dry, galoshes full of mud and silt. Second, your happiness should not depend on others. And here's an example in which a full independent clause precedes the colon: Harry, nonplussed, lunged toward a non sequitur. Use a colon to introduce an item or a series of items. Rule 1: Use the colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list of items when introductory words such as namely, for example, or that is do not apply or are not appropriate. The party really got going around 8:30, and wouldn’t start to peter out until dawn. If each item on the list is a complete sentence, you should always capitalize the first letter and finish with a period (or question mark or exclamation point, if appropriate). A colon can also be used before a quotation in running text, especially when the quotation is lengthy; or when it is a formal statement or a statement being given special emphasis; or when a full independent clause precedes the colon. A word to the wise: Always place colons outside quotation marks and parentheses. Study Up With Our Official SCRABBLE Dictionary, A Word Game Player's Guide to 'Q' without 'U' Words. Examples of Colons Used in Sentences Here are some examples of colons used correctly and incorrectly in sentences: The cat's fur was found in two rooms: the bedroom and the kitchen. Capitalize after the colon in certain cases. Use a colon before a series or list only if the words that introduce the list make up a complete sentence: To make a cake you need a few basic ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, leavener, and salt. Using colons as a mark of punctuation. ), In the running prose that we encounter in books, magazines, articles, and the like, colons are mostly used to introduce a clause or a phrase that explains, illustrates, amplifies, or restates what precedes them. Biden expands public works, Jim Crow "Rain, sleet, snow, hail, sun: an umbrella will work for me, Mabel.". Python: meaning of colon applied to a variable as in `a:1` 0 I found a nonsensical usage of a colon : in python that doesn't seem to do anything, but it doesn't return a syntax error If the letter is personal, then either a colon or comma is appropriate. ", The word "parasol" is in apposition to the noun phrase "another name altogether.". Looking for more ways to polish your prose? GA restricts voting access. 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? consort In English, writers use colons to indicate that there’s more to come. It announces. This comprehensive guide will teach you 9 ways to correctly use colons: where to place them, when best to use them, and how they operate in a sentence. But he couldn't quite succeed, and it ended in his rolling over, bundled up in the umbrella, with only his head out: and there he lay, opening and shutting his mouth and his large eyes—'looking more like a fish than anything else,' Alice thought. When using a colon this way, always make sure the text before the commais an independent clause that could stand as a complete sentence on its own. Colons, like anything, lose their novelty and effectiveness when overused. During the entire four-hour lecture, one name clung in her memory: Bernie. The pallor of his face betrayed him: white as his soul was black. Examples: You may be required to bring many items: sleeping bags, pans, and warm clothing. The colon may be used in the above examples because the underlined words are complete sentences that could be punctuated with an end mark. Of my roughly 80 published papers, I have used a colon or a two-phrase title 14 times, and only four of those cases was I … And that’s all for today! (Reminder: clauses and phrases are both groups of words within a sentence; the basic difference between them is that a clause has its own subject and verb, while a phrase does not.). If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. "I recently learned," he averred, "that the word 'umbrella' appears 26 times in James Joyce's Ulysses, and that three of those appearances occur in a single sentence: 'She disliked umbrella with rain, he liked woman with umbrella, she disliked new hat with rain, he liked woman with new hat, he bought new hat with rain, she carried umbrella with new hat.'". If you are going to list objects, it can be helpful to separate the list … Lists Within a Sentence. Howling in frustration, he stabbed downwards again and again…the steak was just too tough to cut. Use a colon. Harry wanted to know. You must have a complete sentence in front of a colon used to introduce a … The two punctuation marks serve very different purposes, and should not be used interchangeably. You can also use the following formula to remember when to use a colon. You should only use one space instead of two after a colon. Shopping. I want the following items: butter, sugar, and flour. Use a colon following a greeting (also known as a salutation) in a formal or business letter. It does not matter if you are using the person's first name, both first and last name, or their title, you should always use a colon if the letter is formal. If the words before the colon do not constitute a sentence, do not use a colon: Use a colon to introduce either a single item or a list of items in a series. Required fields are marked *. Correct punctuation is important in your writing: poorly punctuated prose is a major turn-off for publishers and readers alike, and can result in your manuscript being rejected for publication—or, at the very least, your audience not taking your writing terribly seriously. We use colons and semi-colons to join independent clauses and make them part of one sentence. Use an ellipsis to imply either a pause in the sentence or that something has been omitted for one reason or another. Because not all style guides agree on the rules for using colons, you have a considerable amount of freedom with this punctuation mark. Mabel the Cat was adamant that Harry recognize the usefulness of umbrellas for all wet weather: as protection against rain, sleet, and snow. "You may be eternally encumbered by an umbrella then, Harry, but I will bear the following: an umbrella for wet weather, a parasol for hot sun, and a beret whenever I feel like it.". While in most correspondence, the salutation is followed by a comma, business letters follow it with a stately colon: The Homeowners Association has voted against your proposal to include junked cars in our approved list of “Lawn Decorations and Amenities.”. In this case, never capitalize the first word after the colon—unless it’s a proper noun! Sometimes your punctuation choice is a matter of pacing more than grammar. Mistake #2: Using two spaces after a colon. Use a Colon between a Title and Subtitle. The researchers found something unexpected: a dramatically lowered risk of heart disease. I … "But Mabel," Harry pressed, "isn't the crux of it all in truth this: an umbrella is a collapsible shield for protection against weather generally?". The first step towards a healthier lifestyle is:a good night’s sleep. A colon is used after a full sentence or independent clause to introduce something that illustrates, clarifies, or amplifies what was said in the sentence that preceded the colon.