Colons
What are colons?
A colon is a symbol used when writing. It is normally used to introduce a list of things.
:
The symbol above this sentence is a colon.
When should I use colons?
There are several rules about using colons in English. Here are the most important rules.
1. Introducing a list
If you want to introduce a list of things in a sentence, you normally need a colon.
Example:
Today I will go to the shop and buy the following things: bread, milk and cheese.
(Colons are not normally used after verbs which would normally not need any punctuation.)
Examples:
I want to buy: bread, milk and cheese. (Wrong. If you did not put a colon after buy, the sentence would make sense.)
Here is what I want: bread, milk and cheese. (Right. If you did not put a colon after want, the sentence would not make sense.)
2. Introducing a list of things one by one
If you list a number of things one by one, you normally need a colon.
Example:
The right person for the job will have:
– strong communication skills
– experience in customer service
– the ability to work weekends
3. Introducing something that explains or gives further information in a sentence
If you introduce something into a sentence which gives more information, you normally need a colon.
Example:
He worked hard and got exactly what he wanted: a new car.
4. Introducing a long piece of information or quote
If you want to quote a long piece of text in your writing, you normally need a colon.
Example:
In her book, she wrote:
‘He went to bed feeling very disappointed with what had happened that day. He just couldn’t believe things turned out that way.‘
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