Colons are the two dots. ( : ) The lesson below shows you the colon rules you need to know to use them correctly. You can also finds colon tests at the bottom of the page.
Colons introduce and separate. Always use 1 space after a colon.
Colons introduce and separate. Always use 1 space after a colon.
Introducing
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Colons follow an independent clause and introduce the following:
· Lists
· Examples
· Quotations
· Tables, Charts, and Graphs
Lists
Colons introduce a list.
· This is what I need from the market: potatoes, eggs, and bread.
· Please include the following information: Name, Age, Birth Date.
Quotations
Colons are used to introduce a quotation.
· The police officer made the following statement:
"The criminal was about 25 years old. He was wearing a blue jacket."
Rule # 1
The sentence before a colon must be complete. This means colons do not follow verbs or prepositions.
Incorrect Examples:
My favourite foods are: pizza, pasta, and sushi.
Please bring: pens, books, pencils, and erasers.
We have lots of: pencils, markers, and paper.
Corrected Examples:
My favourite foods are the following: pizza, pasta, and sushi.
Please bring the following materials: pens, books, pencils, and erasers.
It is possible to remove the colon from the incorrect examples:
My favourite foods are pizza, pasta, and sushi.
Please bring pens, books, pencils, and erasers.
"As follows" and "the following" go before colons. Some example are as follows:
· The times are the following: 5:30, 10:30, and 15:30.
· The rules are as follows:
Rule #2
Do not capitalize the first word after the colon if it introduces a sentence.
· The paper discussed a key idea: immigration directly impacts the economy.
You can capitalize the items in a list, but this is optional, not required.
· Include the following information: Name, Age, Address.
· Include the following information: name, age, address.
Separating
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Titles and Subtitles
Colons separate titles from subtitles.
· Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
· Star Wars IV: A New Hope
Time
Colons separate hours and minutes.
· 11:30
· 12:15
Salutations
Colons are used after greetings in formal letters and emails.
· Dear Jonathan Malone:
· Dear Mrs. James:
Here is a test from learnEnglish-online on using colons and semicolons:
Here is a printable colon test.
Here is a printable colon test.
Add colons where needed.
1. Please bring the following materials gloves, boots, sweaters, and hats.
2. The meeting is at 1130 am.
3. You must wear gloves, boots, and a mask.
4. Events are scheduled in the following cities
5. The director of the school stated this policy "Absolutely no plagiarism allowed in any class. Those who plagiarize will be suspended."
6. I wake up at 715 each morning.
7. The ingredients are as follows milk, eggs, and butter
8. My favourite movie is Star Wars IV A New Hope.
9. Please send it to this address
10. The following students were away yesterday Paul, Fred, and
Jenny.
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