For the second installment of this series, we’ll take a look at using colons. Easy, right? They’re used to introduce a list.
Not so fast.
I’ve seen colons used in some strange ways and completely wrong ways.
Let’s go over the rules so you don’t commit any heinous mistakes. I’ll give you examples to make everything clear and easy.
Colon faux pas
Let’s start with how NOT to use a colon. That should clear up a lot of problems.
A full sentence (independent clause) must precede any colon. This sets up several specific rules you should know:
- Don’t use a colon between a verb and its object or compliment.
Wrong: Fruits that are easy to eat are: bananas, grapes and apples.
Right: Fruits that are easy to eat are bananas, grapes and apples.
- Don’t use a colon between a preposition and its object.
Wrong: The rooms we plan to paint consist of: the living room, the bedroom and the den.
Right: The rooms we plan to paint consist of the living room, the bedroom and the den.
- Don’t use a colon after such as, including or for example.
Wrong: The trees in our yard include several species such as: Colorado blue spruce, ornamental crab and river birch.
Right: The trees in our yard include several species such as Colorado blue spruce, ornamental crab and river birch.
Now that we know what not to do, the proper way to use a colon should be self-evident.
Colons done right
Colons are used after a complete sentence to direct attention to a list, an appositive or a quotation. Just make sure what precedes the colon is a complete sentence by itself.
A list
My cat’s daily routine includes the following: eating breakfast, napping, playing for 10 minutes, napping, eating lunch, running around the house, and napping.
An appositive
We went to two west coast cities: San Diego and Los Angeles.
A quotation
These are the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Colons can be used to separate two complete sentences if the second sentence summarizes or explains the first. When using a colon this way, you can either begin the sentence following the colon with a capital letter or leave it lowercase.
My friend eats with both hands: She is ambidextrous.
As you might have noticed, you can also use a colon to introduce a bulleted or numbered list as I’ve done several times so far. The only requirement is the sentence preceding the colon must be a complete sentence.
A couple other uses for colons include the following:
- After a salutation in a formal letter or email (Dear Sir:)
- Indicate hours and minutes (6:30)
- Show proportions (2:1)
- Between a title and subtitle (see the headline of this post)
- To separate the city from the publisher and date in a bibliographic entry (London: Macmillan, 2018)
Easy stuff
Colons really are easy when you remember one simple rule: A complete sentence must always precede the colon.
Next time we’ll look at the semicolon. This one also seems easy, but it trips people up more than it should. If you haven’t followed the blog yet, why wait and miss such great info?
See ya next time!