Writing Lab Colons

Colons The colon is often used to introduce explanatory elements, often in the form of a list. The colon takes the place of “such as,” “namely,” or “for example.”

Colons cont. The colon must be preceded by a complete sentence. Correct: I hate this one course: English. Notice the full sentence before the colon. Note that your list may include only one word. Incorrect: One course that I hate: English is the course I am failing. The statement preceding the colon is not a full sentence.

Colons cont. 2 The colon takes the place of the following phrases: such as, for example, namely. Do not use these phrases in combination with the colon. Correct: Some mammals have no hair, namely, whales, porpoises, and bottle-nosed dolphins. Incorrect: Some mammals have no hair: namely, whales, porpoises, and bottle-nosed dolphins.

Colons cont. 3 Do not use a colon after a linking verb, which connects the subject to the complement. Correct: There are three parts to the chemistry course: lecture, recitation, and laboratory. Incorrect: The three parts of a chemistry course are: lecture, recitation, and laboratory.

That’s all, folks! This lesson is part of the UWF Writing Lab Grammar Mini-Lesson Series Lessons adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon To find out more, visit the Writing Lab’s website where you can take a self-scoring quiz corresponding to this lesson