Colons

Examples CORRECT These are my favorite foods: guava, mangoes, and bananas. There is only one reason to miss class: if you’re dying. Her problem was obvious: she trusted other people too much. A famous president once said this: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” INCORRECT My favorite foods are: guava, mangoes, and bananas. The only reason to miss class is: if you’re dying. Her problem was: she trusted other people too much. A famous president once said: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”

Colon Use 1: Lists Use a colon to introduce lists ONLY if the group of words before the colon is a complete sentence. CORRECT: The instruments in the string section are these: violin, cello, and bass. INCORRECT: The instruments in the string section are: violin, cello, and bass. CORRECT: These are the things I need: moose, deer, and antlers. INCORRECT: I need: moose, deer, and antlers. The following, as follows*

Colon Use 2: explanation Introduce material that explains or restates what was just stated First part=unclear, vague For emphasis or surprise My favorite courses are in the sciences: astronomy, botany, and geology are all on my current schedule. The cause of the supernova was obvious: a star exploded Sharon was looking for only one quality in a husband: money.

Colon use 3: some quotes To introduce long or formal quotations The part before the colon must be a complete sentence INCORRECT: Chief Joseph said: “From where the sun stands now, I will fight no more forever.” CORRECT: Chief Joseph said, “From where the sun stands now, I will fight no more forever.” CORRECT: Chief Joseph said this: “From where the sun stands now, I will fight no more forever.” ****this, these, the following, as follows*****

Colon use 4: Subtitles Sometimes titles will have a subtitle after a colon My Bondage and My Freedom: Frederick Douglass’s Autobiography Creative Title: Normal or Explanatory Title It’s the same rule about explanation, just in a title

A dash is made by typing - (a hyphen) twice Dashes A dash is made by typing - (a hyphen) twice

Dash Use 1: A Shift Indicates a shift in thought, subject, or tone I never knew that going to college could be so fun—but then again, I didn’t know it was going to be so hard either I never knew that going to college could be so fun—or so hard

Dash use 2: Extra Stuff Can be used to set off “extra stuff” or nonessential information in a sentence My father—a practicing dentist—is a strong believer in flossing.

Dash Use 3: Explanation Like colons, dashes can signal an explanation or clarification of what was already stated I used to like Biology—the study of living things.

A dash is made by typing - twice Remember: A dash is made by typing - twice

REvise A week ago or was it two my parrot Mr. Biggle refused to talk. The candidate lacks only one thing, brains.

REvise The party was a success there are two gaping holes in the plaster there’s nothing left to eat in the house the host is still sleeping in the bathtub.

REvise Our get-rich-quick scheme is foolproof you pay us money, and we get rich quick! Bruce, how nice to see you after your trip to Paris, or was it Rome?

REvise Adrian lived for one thing; fly-fishing. There are three things that you can’t learn at University; ambition, personality, and common sense.