…not just the eyeballs on your text message face! L.5.2a: Use punctuation to separate items in a series. : )

A. Before a list or an explanation that is preceded by a clause that can stand by itself. A. If you took off the list, and the preceding clause can NOT stand alone, then you should NOT be using a colon.

A. The charter review now includes the following people: the mayor, the chief of police, the fire chief, and the chair of the Town Council. A.MAIN CLAUSE: A.The charter review now includes the following people: B.LIST THAT FOLLOWS MAIN CLAUSE: A.the mayor, the chief of police, the fire chief, and the chair of the Town Council.

A. Her recipe for gunpowder included saltpeter, dry oatmeal, and ground-up charcoal. A.no colon after "included“ because “Her recipe for gunpowder included” cannot stand on its own! B.How can you fix it so that you CAN use a colon? A.Her recipe for gunpowder included the following: …

A. His favorite breakfast cereals were Rice Krispies, Cheerios, and Wheaties. A.no colon after "were“ because “His favorite breakfast cereals were” cannot stand on its own.

 Which of the following is correct?  The Question ▪ A) The potion contained: fruit, biscuits, and glue. ▪ B) The potion contained fruit, biscuits, and glue. ▪ C)The potion: contained fruit, biscuits, and glue.  The Answer ▪ B) The potion contained fruit, biscuits, and glue.  The Explanation ▪ The phrase before the colon cannot stand alone. Therefore, there should be no colon!

 Which of these is correct?  The Question ▪ a) Mankind has only one choice left stop burning fossil fuel. ▪ b) Mankind has only one choice left, stop burning fossil fuel. ▪ c) Mankind has only one choice left: stop burning fossil fuel.  The Answer ▪ c) Mankind has only one choice left: stop burning fossil fuel.  The Explanation ▪ The clause before the colon can stand alone. The words after the colon further explain the “one choice.”