Grammar-Quizzes › More Practices › Writing Aids › Punctuation › Colons
COLON |
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Use a colon to join an independent clause to a word, phrase or clause with the idea that the second element is to explain or illustrate the idea of first clause. |
EXPLANATION /CLARIFICATION |
He became a veterinarian: he couldn't stand to see animals suffer. "because" |
He set up an animal clinic: there were none in his city. "because" |
He offered some free services: there were many people who couldn't pay. "because" |
He hired some assistants: veterinary students and others people with training. "that is" (details) |
He opened two more clinics: one north of the city and another in the poorest section of the city. "that is" |
Local business supported him: they gave him supplies and money. "that is" |
SEMICOLON |
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Use a semicolon to relate the idea of one clause to another. No conjunction is used; the relationship is understood from the context. In some sentences, either a colon or a semicolon can be used. |
RELATED IDEA (UNDERSTOOD) |
He became a veterinarian; he couldn't stand to see animals suffer. (reason) |
He set up an animal clinic; he rescued dogs, cats and other small animals / we were glad to have it. (addition) |
He offered some free services; he required payment for other services. (contrast) |
He hired some assistants: he could take in more sick animals. (purpose) |
He opened two more clinics; he barely had enough money for one clinic. (contrary outcome) |
Local business supported him; they were able to keep all three clinics open. (result) |
can't stand (expression) – not like or tolerate
Resources: (CMOS 6.63) (GREGG 189)
WITHIN TEXT |
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After an introductory sentence, a colon is placed before a list of items. Word or phrase items are separated with commas; longer phrase or clause items are separated with semicolons. An in-text list is used when the list is limited; or if wanting to keep the overall format of the document. (See Bulleted Lists) |
"AS FOLLOWS" W/ WORDS OR SHORT PHRASES |
My duties at Pet Haven were: checking in, scheduling, labeling , cleaning up, and billing. My duties at Pet Haven were as follows: checking in, scheduling, labeling , cleaning up, and billing. My duties at Pet Haven were, for example: checking in, scheduling, labeling, cleaning up, etc. *Our service includes: excellent animal care. (One item is not a list-worthy!) |
"AS FOLLOWS" W/ LONGER PHRASES & CLAUSES |
Our responsibilities included a variety of tasks: checking in pet patients, scheduling appointments, labeling medications, cleaning up messes, and billing clients. *Some questions are: What should I feed my dog? Does my dog need a special diet? How can I stop my dog from barking? (The introductory sentence should form a complete sentence with the items in the list. However, since the items in the list are complete sentences, the introductory statement should also be worded to be a complete sentence.) The questions are these: How do you… |
The president said: "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." (Use a colon if the quote is independent, not part of the introductory statement.) The president said these unforgettable words: "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." (A colon is used after an independent clause of introduction.) |
SEPARATED FROM TEXT – BULLETED LIST |
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A list begins with an introductory phrase or clause followed by a colon. Optionally, initial articles (a, an, the) are omitted from list items. (Also, note exception below using a period after the intro.) Make sure that each list item reads grammatically with the introductory phrase or clause. If a list has fewer than three items, use a sentence instead of a list. |
WORDS & SHORT PHRASES |
My duties at Pet Haven included: (phrase)
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LONGER PHRASES & CLAUSES |
Our responsibilities included a variety of tasks: (independent clause )
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Our responsibilities included a variety of tasks.
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haven (N) – a place where people or animals can live peacefully or go to in order to be safe
*Highlighted words or phrases are examples of incorrect usage.
Also see For example, Bulleted Lists.
(CMOS 6.127- 6.130) (GREGG 189) (APA 3.04)
TIME — HOURS: MINUTES |
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Use a colon between the hour and minutes of a numerical time expression. |
We had to wake up 7:45 a.m. |
They called at 3:00 AM ! |
PROPORTIONS — X PARTS: Y PARTS |
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Use a period to separate two independent clauses into different sentences when the second clause is loosely (less) related to the previous clause, or it requires more emphasis. |
To make a simple syrup, add sugar and water in a ratio of 2:1 (2 parts sugar: 1 part water). |
Mix the insecticide with water in a ratio of 1:8 (1 part insecticide: 8 parts water). |
Periods with Numbers.
LETTERS & PARCELS |
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A colon is placed before a name or address line on a postal envelope or parcel, within a book, journal or bibilical citation. |
To Whom it May Concern: / Ladies and Gentlemen: / Dear Manager: |
Attention: Tom Tzonga (attention – redirect to this person) |
Re: Introducing a new product (regarding, reply) |
Enclosures: resume, references, check (items included with a letter or application) |
PS: Don't forget the key. (post script) |
Bill to: / Ship to: |
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. — Psalms 37:4 (chapter – verse) |
A colon is placed after lables for address, copies, and subject in an email. The labels are placed before a text entry box. |
Subject: Dog Collar |
Cc: Joe Doe / Bcc: Jane Doe |
Re: A new pet product / Fwd: Check this out |
To: / From: janedoe@att.com |
http://www.URL.com |
Date: 1/1/2012 |
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Also see the use of colons in book, journal, and in-text citations Citing Sources .
LOWERCASE |
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A lowercase letter is used after the colon if it is followed by a word or phrase, or clause that explains or illustrates. |
WORD OR PHRASE |
Two things are required in the city: a good pair of shoes and an umbrella. Two things are required in the city: take a good pair of walking shoes and an umbrella.
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UPPERCASE |
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An uppercase letter is used after the colon if the word is a proper noun, a sentence presented as a formal rule, or a series (list) of independent clauses. |
PROPER NOUN, ADJECTIVE or I |
Two things are required in the city: Nikes and an umbrella. (proper noun – name of brand) Everyone has to take these courses: English, math, and statistics. (proper adjective) I want to be well-prepared for class: I read the textbook before the course begins. |
INTRODUCTIONS to RULES |
Let me say this: Healthcare should be available to everyone in the country. Remember: Turn off all lights before you leave the facility. |
TWO OR MORE SENTENCES |
Two important ideas come to mind: First, the product must be easy to use. Second, the product must be sleek. (or Two important ideas come to mind: first, the product must be easy to use; second, the product must be sleek. ) |
TESTIMONY, TRANSCRIPTS, DIALOG |
SMITH: When did you first meet Mr. Lee? JONES: It was on New Years Eve of last year. SMITH: Was it before or after midnight? |
ERROR |
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She goes: I don't want to. And he goes: OK. |
He turned down the chocolate chip cookie: He doesn't like chocolate. |
My agreement with him is simple: I cook dinner and he washes the dishes. |
SOLUTION |
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She says, "I don't want to," and he says, "OK." A colon is not used for quoting speech (unless it is in a dialog or transcript, or the quote is part of an explanation clause .) |
He turned down the chocolate chip cookie: he doesn't like chocolate. Use lowercase at the beginning of the clause after a colon. |
My agreement with him is simple—I cook dinner and he washes the dishes. Using a dash instead of a colon is slightly less formal. |
turn down (V) – decline, not accept
BRIEF MENTION | DETAILED DESCRIPTION |
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Also see: AP Style Book 325 "Punctuation:colon" APA 4.05 "Colon" Fowler 158 "Colon" MLA 3.2.4 "Colons" Swan 474 "Punctuation (2) colon", 240. 2.i "in news headlines" |
Hyphens in the Gregg Reference Manual Between Independent Clauses (Sabin 187) He thinks he is Superman: he has no sense of reality.
Hyphens and Dashes in the Chicago Manual of Style 6.63–69. Introduces an element or a series of elements illustrating or amplifying what has preceded the colon (6.63) When a colon introduces two or more sentences, or when it introduces a speech in dialogue or an extract, the first work following it is capitalized. She didn't know what to do: Should she go back? Or should she run away?
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Style Manual Abbreviations: AP (Associated Press), APA (American Psychological Association), CMOS (Chicago Manual of Style), GREGG (Gregg Reference Manual); MLA (Modern Language Association)
Style Manual Abbreviations (used in this website)
To return an item you have purchased in the last 30 days, you will need to submit three things—the store receipt, the form with your reason for returning it, and the item.
The item will need to be returned in sale-able condition— not worn, not soiled and with tags attached.
The law states — "A consumer is entitled to full amount of purchase if the item is returned in good condition within the specified time stated on the sales receipt."
Store policy states the following— Undergarments and swimsuits may not be returned.
Ship to—100 Main Street, Los Angeles, CA. Attention—Returns Department, Floor 5.
receipt (N) – a piece of paper that you are given which shows that you have paid for something
sale-able (Adj) – good condition for selling or capable of being sold (business / commerce)
soiled (Adj) – dirty, unclean
tags (N) – a small piece of paper, plastic etc attached to something to show what it is, what it costs, what it is made of, etc.
undergarments (n) – intimate clothing worn next to the body; underwear
Most customers occasionally have to return an item: a jacket too small, some socks too bright, a scarf from Aunt Martha, but some customers return things all the time.
Some customers, called "serial returners", are constantly returning something: they buy it, they wear it, they return it.
One woman returned an evening dress with a number of telltale signs: Lipstick on the collar. Deodorant marks around the arms. The tag tucked inside the sleeve.
I have something to say to these customers: "If you are going to wear it, don't return it!"
One woman came in and returned a dress because it didn't go with her makeup. The clerk suggested: " You could change your makeup."
The lady did not return: she took her business elsewhere.
Clerks see a variety of returned items: used stockings, worn out shoes, unwanted gifts from the previous season, and even a diamond ring that wasn't shiny enough.
Managers of stores want customers to have the opportunity to return items bought in err: but they do not want people to take advantage of their policy.
Abusing return policy results in loss: Loss of merchandise. Loss of staff time. Loss of goodwill.
in err – by mistake
serial (Adj) – in a series, one thing happens after another, or something happens repeatedly
take advantage of (expression) – use a system or someone for personal gain
telltale – signs that reveal that something happened