The Colon

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.

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.

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

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. Stronach’smurder.

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.

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

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-Klassen’s words: “Math is hell!”

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.

After a formal salutation in a business letter Dear Sir: Dear Ms. Baker:

To separate hours and minutes in numerals indicating time By 10:15 A.M. everyone realized that Ms. Stronach is the shortest human being on earth! The train leaves at 2:40 P.M. and arrives at 5:35 P.M.

Between parts of a Biblical reference The preacher read Proverbs 20:28.

In a bibliographical reference between the place of publication and the name of the publisher Example: New York: Oxford University Press

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.

Between numbers referring to volume and pages of books and magazines Example: Volume 4: pages 126-142

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

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