1. Using Colons Why are colons important?
Colons to mean “note what follows”
Colons in conventional situations
Review A
Review B

2. Why are colons important?:
The colon is a special punctuation mark that can serve several different purposes.
A colon can be used to mean “note what follows.”
At the mall I will buy the following items:
a sweater, a watch, and some socks.
The colon says, “Take note. The items are are about to be listed.”

3. Why are colons important?
Colons are also used to separate elements in certain conventional situations.
5:45 P.M.
Proverbs 3:3
Impression: Sunrise
All of these would be difficult to read without the colon to mark the separate parts.
[End of Section]

4. Colons to mean “note what follows”
Use a colon before a list of items, especially after expressions such as the following and as follows.
Central America has seven countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
The animal shelter needs the following items: blankets, dog and cat food, toys, and office supplies.

5. Colons to mean “note what follows”
Do not place a colon right after a verb.
Verb
The emergency kit included: safety flares, jumper cables, and a flashlight.
Incorrect
Correct
The emergency kit included safety flares, jumper cables, and a flashlight.
Correct
The emergency kit included the following: safety flares, jumper cables, and a flashlight.

6. Colons to mean “note what follows”
Do not place a colon right after a preposition.
Preposition
Each student was provided with: two sharp pencils, some paper, and a ruler.
Incorrect
Correct
Each student was provided with two sharp pencils, some paper, and a ruler.
Correct
Each student was provided with the following items: two sharp pencils, some paper, and a ruler.

7. Colons to mean “note what follows” Prepositions
Common Prepositions
about at
inside
throughout
above
except
like
toward
against
for on
with
Preposition
Preposition
about the movie
toward a peaceful solution

8. Colons to mean “note what follows”
Use a colon before a long, formal statement or quotation.
Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address begins with these famous words: “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

9. Colons to mean “note what follows”
Use a colon between independent clauses when the second clause explains or restates the first.
Those hanging lamps are the most popular kind: They are inexpensive, available in many colors, and easy to install.

10. Colons to mean “note what follows” Independent clauses
An independent clause (or main clause) has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause can stand by itself as a sentence.
Subject
Verb
Aunt Susie has become a veterinarian.
Aunt Susie has become a veterinarian.
Aunt Susie has become a veterinarian.
Subject
Verb
She usually enjoys her work.
She usually enjoys her work.
She usually enjoys her work.

11. Colons to mean “note what follows”
When an independent clause follows a colon, the first word of the clause is capitalized.
Grammar Gal Says...
This is a great day for a run: The air is cool and crisp.

12. Colons to mean “note what follows”
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences. If a sentence is already correct, label it C.
1. Our local paper is divided into these sections news, features, business, and sports.
2. The protests did have an effect The governor agreed to reconsider his position.
3. Your first-aid kit should include bandages, antibacterial ointment, and disinfectant.

13. Colons to mean “note what follows”
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences. If a sentence is already correct, label it C. :
1. Our local paper is divided into these sections news, features, business, and sports.
News, features, business, and sports is a list of items. Use a colon before a list.

14. Colons to mean “note what follows”
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences. If a sentence is already correct, label it C. :
2. The protests did have an effect The governor agreed to reconsider his position.
The second clause, The governor agreed to reconsider his position, explains the first clause, so it is preceded by a colon.

15. Colons to mean “note what follows”
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences. If a sentence is already correct, label it C.
3. Your first-aid kit should include bandages, antibacterial ointment, and disinfectant. C
Should include is a verb introducing the list of items. Do not place a colon right after a verb.

16. Colons to mean “note what follows”
On Your Own
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences.
Bryan was sure about one thing He would never give in to peer pressure again.
The president read the mission statement “We dedicate ourselves to the education of young people and to preparing them for the world.”
You’ll need the following for the hike sturdy boots, a waterproof jacket, bottled water, and a hat.
[End of Section]

17. Colons to mean “note what follows”
Answers
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences.
Bryan was sure about one thing He would never give in to peer pressure again.
The president read the mission statement “We dedicate ourselves to the education of young people and to preparing them for the world.”
You’ll need the following for the hike sturdy boots, a waterproof jacket, bottled water, and a hat. : : :

18. Colons in conventional situations
Use a colon in certain conventional situations:
Between the hour and the minute in times
7:45 in the morning
Between chapter and verse in biblical references
Luke 17:1–4

19. Colons in conventional situations
Use a colon in certain conventional situations:
Between a title and a subtitle
Desert Plants: How They Live
After the salutation of a business letter
Dear Mrs. Rodriguez:

20. Colons in conventional situations
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences.
1. The show about Pancho Villa starts at 9 00.
2. Do you have a book called Sarajevo The Road to Destiny?
3. I began my letter with “Dear Mr. Engstrom Thank you for your assistance.”
4. In the Bible the story of how God creates light appears in Genesis 1 1.

21. Colons in conventional situations
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences. :
1. The show about Pancho Villa starts at 9 00.
Use a colon between the hour and the minutes in times of day.

22. Colons in conventional situations
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences. :
2. Do you have a book called Sarajevo The Road to Destiny?
Use a colon between a title and subtitle.

23. Colons in conventional situations
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences. :
3. I began my letter with “Dear Mr. Engstrom Thank you for your assistance.”
Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter.

24. Colons in conventional situations
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences.
4. In the Bible the story of how God creates light appears in Genesis 1 1. :
Use a colon between the chapter and the verse in biblical references.

25. Colons in conventional situations
On Your Own
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences.
1. My mother was a big fan of the TV series Star Trek The Next Generation.
2. The biblical story of the battle between David and Goliath is told in I Samuel 17 4–58.
3. Groups of art students boarded the bus at 8 30 A.M. and arrived at the museum at A.M.
4. The letter began, “To Whom It May Concern Please consider me for admission to your institution.”
[End of Section]

26. Colons in conventional situations
Answers
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences.
1. My mother was a big fan of the TV series Star Trek The Next Generation.
2. The biblical story of the battle between David and Goliath is told in I Samuel 17 4–58.
3. Groups of art students boarded the bus at 8 30 A.M. and arrived at the museum at A.M.
4. The letter began, “To Whom It May Concern Please consider me for admission to your institution.” : : : : :

27. Review A Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences.
1. She revised her report twice She looked first at content and then read the report for style.
2. Your reading assignment is as follows pages 217–232, pages 275–302, and the summary.
3. Daryl titled his essay “Educators Heroes of Everyday Life.”
4. Ms. Wesley began her speech by thanking all the volunteers “On this very special day, let me first express my undying thanks for your devotion to our cause.”
[End of Section]

28. Review A
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences.
1. She revised her report twice She looked first at content and then read the report for style.
2. Your reading assignment is as follows pages 217–232, pages 275–302, and the summary.
3. Daryl titled his essay “Educators Heroes of Everyday Life.”
4. Ms. Wesley began her speech by thanking all the volunteers “On this very special day, let me first express my undying thanks for your devotion to our cause.” : : : :

29. Review B
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences. If a sentence is already correct, label it C.
1. On their vacation the Youngs traveled through four states Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
2. There on my brother’s nightstand I saw a broken marble, a hunk of moss, and four sticks of varying lengths.
3. The lecture will begin promptly at 6 45.
4. The story of the good Samaritan is in Luke 10 25–37.
5. I began the letter, “Dear Mr. McLellan Thank you for sending me the information I requested.”
[End of Section]

30. Review B
Add colons where they are needed in the following sentences. If a sentence is already correct, label it C.
1. On their vacation the Youngs traveled through four states Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
2. There on my brother’s nightstand I saw a broken marble, a hunk of moss, and four sticks of varying lengths.
3. The lecture will begin promptly at 6 45.
4. The story of the good Samaritan is in Luke 10 25–37.
5. I began the letter, “Dear Mr. McLellan Thank you for sending me the information I requested.” : C : : :

31. The End