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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