…not just the eyeballs on your text message face! English 10b – Indiana State Standard : )

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. Between two independent clauses when the second clause explains or restates the first clause. A. First: make sure both clauses are independent clauses. B. Second: make sure the second clause is explaining or restating the first clause.

A. These shoes are the best: they are durable, inexpensive, and stylish. A.INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: A.These shoes are the best: B.INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: A.They are durable, inexpensive, and stylish.

A. To introduce a long or formal quotation. A. Lincoln began the “Gettysburg Address” with these famous words: “Fourscore and seven years ago our forefathers brought forth on this continent a new nation…”

A. When the first part of your sentence does NOT have a subject and verb and stand on its own.  Remember, if the first clause is NOT independent, then you should NOT be using a colon.

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)You have only one choice: Leave now while you can. ▪ B)You have only one choice leave now while you can. ▪ C)You have only one choice. Leave now while you can.  The Answer ▪ A)You have only one choice: Leave now while you can.  The Explanation ▪ The second sentence explains the “one choice.” Also, both clauses are main clauses.

 Which of these is correct?  The Question ▪ A)I can see only one thing: the old lighthouse. ▪ B) I can see only one thing the old lighthouse. ▪ C)I can see: only one thing the old lighthouse.  The Answer ▪ A)I can see only one thing: the old lighthouse.  The Explanation ▪ The clause before the colon can stand alone. The words after the colon further explain the “one thing”.

 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.”