The Mark of Expectation or Addition How to Use a Colon The Mark of Expectation or Addition

Rule #1 Use a colon to introduce a series of items. Examples: You may be required to bring many things: sleeping bags, bug spray, and marshmallows. I need the following items from the store: butter, sugar, and flour.

Rule #2 Only use after statements that are complete sentences. Never use a colon after a sentence fragment. Examples: Incorrect: Two of my favorite hobbies are: reading and baking. Correct: I’m fluent in two languages: profanity and sarcasm. Notice how the items after the colon expand on or clarify what came before the colon!

Quick Tip To decide whether a colon is acceptable, test whether you can replace it with the word namely. Most of the time, if you can replace a colon with the word namely, then the colon is the right choice. Examples: I’m fluent in two languages, namely, profanity and sarcasm.

Rule #3 The same rules apply when you are writing a vertical, bulleted list. Examples: I have many favorite movies: Goodfellas Stepbrothers Pretty in Pink When Harry Met Sally Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood

Rule #4 When typing, use only ONE space after a colon.

Rule #5 The first word after a colon is always in lowercase (unless it’s a proper name or something else that's always capitalized).