The Colon

1
The Colon
2
The colon functions as an introducer.

• When a statement is followed by a list or by one
  or more examples, the colon between the statement
  and what follows alerts the reader to what is
  coming.

3
Use the colon

• To introduce a list or series
• Consider these three viewpoints political,
  economic and social.
• The starting players will be the following
  Shapiro, Browne, Landry, Watson, and Sherman.

4

• To introduce the clarifying detail
• The colon introduces an example that defines or
  amplifies something in the statement.

5

• Examples
• We have a new danger to consider inflation.
• Paul lived for only one thing the theatre.
• By the next morning the thing we had all expected
  had occurred Ms. Stronachsmurder.

6

• The statement before the colon must be an
  independent clause therefore, a colon can never
  come immediately after is or are.
• INCORRECT
• Two things I cannot stand are brussel sprouts
  and asparagus.

7

• A colon is not used before a list of modifiers or
  compliments immediately following the verb
• The candidates characteristics were honesty,
  intelligence and courage.

8
Use the colon to introduce some formal quotations.

• President Kennedy said," Ask not what your
  country can do for you. Ask what you can do for
  your country.
• We remember Mrs. Culp-Klassens words
• Math is hell!

9
use the colon between two main clauses when the
second clause explains or develops the first.

• Some feel that outlawing a drug only complicates
  the problem the user then deals with criminal
  elements.

10
After a formal salutation in a business letter

• Dear Sir
• Dear Ms. Baker

11
To separate hours and minutes in numerals
indicating time

• By 1015 A.M. everyone realized that Ms. Stronach
  is the shortest human being on earth!
• The train leaves at 240 P.M. and arrives at 535
  P.M.

12
Between parts of a Biblical reference

• The preacher read Proverbs 2028.

13
In a bibliographical reference between the place
of publication and the name of the publisher

• Example
• New York Oxford University Press

14
Between the title and subtitle of a book

• Example
• The students were anxious to read the famous
  biography Just Like the Queen the Life of Ms.
  Knapp.

15
Between numbers referring to volume and pages of
books and magazines

• Example
• Volume 4 pages 126-142

16

• The colon waves the traffic on through the
  intersection Go right ahead, it says, and you
  will find what you are looking for.

17
Summary

• The colon follows an independent clause and
  introduces one of three things examples, a list,
  or a quotation.