In the example, which I’ve italicized below, I have used a colon to explain the use of semicolons and colons is declining because people don’t know how to use them. It’s good for a whole lot more than making the “eyes” of a smiley face emoticon, that’s for sure! She is a proud Hufflepuff and member of Team Cap. Think about the wisdom from Forrest Gump’s momma: “My momma always said life was like a box of chocolates: You never know what you’re gonna get.” Of course, the phrase in the film was spoken, not written, but you could use a colon here. A colon is an introductory punctuation mark. But the use of a colon works too, because the second clause directly explains how life is like a box of chocolates (the first clause). The colon introduces a sort of “subtitle” to the movie. Colon vs Semicolon: When to Use in Sentence Leave a Comment / Confused Words / By Shraddha Borade You might be getting confused as to when and how to use semicolon and colon, when to use them and what is the basic difference between a semicolon and a colon. You can use a dash (–) instead of a semi-colon or colon if you're writing something chatty and informal – or if you want to show a moment of … You omit the first full stop (period) and replace it with a semicolon. In these cases, the semicolon helps readers keep track of the divisions between the items. This post will focus on two punctuation marks often confused and misused: the semicolon and the colon. The first sentence is incorrect b… Colons are often used with lists, as in the example above. A semi-colon is used when you want to link two independent clauses that are closely related in a single sentence. However, if the list or series extends over multiple sentences, you should capitalize the first word after the colon in AP Style. Avoid using a comma when a semicolon is needed: 2. A semicolon is also often used before introductory expressions such as for example, that is, and namely, in place of a colon, comma, dash, or parenthesis: On one important point Harry and Mabel agreed; that is, it would be better for all if Harry found somewhere else to … Rule 1a. The colon should be removed from this sentence because it separates the preposition to from its objects (Rome, Israel, and Egypt). You could say, “Maya Angelou’s words always stick with me: ‘Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.'”. It’s true, I’ve killed my demons: my therapist makes his living sewing together new monsters from the parts. Learn how to use a semicolon (;) and when to use a colon (:) in English with examples, punctuation rules and ESL worksheets. Third, I will marry Brad Pitt. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. A colon draws attention to the clause that follows it, while the semi-colon does not. In an article titled “Formatting Your Manuscript – The Silent Scream,” Lynn Price, the editorial director for Behler Publications, provides a clear tip for writers who are considering punctuating with a colon.I will leave you with her advice: Be careful with your use of colons. For example, at the market, I’ll be picking up yogurt, blueberries, and coffee. The Colon. Three, I should read more grammar articles on Reader’s Digest.”. You can use it to introduce a list or series, as in, “I’m excited for my classes this semester: Biology, History, English, and Algebra.” Here’s another example: “Please get these things when you go to the store: cheese, oranges, bread, and crackers.”, The items in the list can also be sentences on their own; they don’t have to be comprised in a single sentence. The most feared punctuation on earth. (This is quite a different function from … I have several plans for my immediate future: First, I’m going to win the lottery. If the words before the colon do not constitute a sentence, do not use a colon: [citation needed] A colon often precedes an explanation, a list, a quotation, or a block quotation. More grammar comics from The Oatmeal. Colons and semicolons were initially used to express pauses longer than a comma and shorter than a period. In other words, each clause has a subject and a verb. 2) Use a semi-colon to link two very closely related independent clauses. We use a semicolon to join things that are equal, similar, or the same.. You can join two independent clauses together that are two separate … The following novels will be on the exam: Moby Dick, Great Expectations, and The Brothers Karamazov. Correct Use as an Explanatory Tool: The restaurant served the type of food most preferred by lawyers: red meat. The three types of muscle in the body are: cardiac, smooth, and skeletal. The four kinds of flowers in my garden are:daffodils, tulips, roses, and chrysanthemums. The content before the colon should be an independent clause. Here’s another example. This is probably the best-known way to use a colon. The easy explanation of colon vs semicolon. We recommend our users to update the browser. All three Ellis brothers are involved in the family business: Jethro paints, Willem sews, and Eustac… 1. The most feared punctuation on earth. In the second example below, an em dash is more common than a colon, though the use of a colon is nevertheless correct. The colon is used to separate two independent clauses when the second explains or illustrates the first. A colon often precedes an explanation, a list, a quotation, or a block quotation.It is … 4. 7. The colon precedes the first item. Use a semi-colon if the information in the second clause is somewhat related but does not illustrate, explain, or paraphrase the first clause.) When I graduate, I want to go to: Rome, Israel, and Egypt. Star Wars: Episode IV. Well, it turns out that, in formal correspondences, that comma should be a colon. It does not matter if you are using the person's first name, both first and last name, or their title, you should always use a colon if the letter is formal. If the clause following the colon is a complete sentence, it begins with a capital letter. He ended with the immortal words of Neil Young: “Rock and Roll can never die.”. When to use a semicolon in a list. Individuals frequently contend about what number of spaces to put after a period (the short answer is that one space is more typical nowadays), and the issue likewise thinks of colons. Use Colons to Introduce Vertical Lists. Captain America: Civil War. Using Punctuation Marks in Submissions. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), the most confusing grammar rules in the English language, how confusing life would be without proper punctuation, the only times you should be using a semicolon, Meet Amanda Gorman: The Inaugural Poet Who Just Made History, What Is “Doomscrolling”—And How to Stop the Cycle, 13 Glaring Grammar Mistakes in the U.S. Constitution, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Kolln in Rhetorical Grammar writes that inexperienced writers often avoid using these two because they don’t understand them (102).However, with some guidance, their use … In spring 2017, her creative nonfiction piece "Anticipation" was published in Angles literary magazine. 1. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. Putting the colon here separates the verb are from its subject complements (cardiac, smooth, and skeletal). To use the earlier example: “When you go to the store, please get: cheese, oranges, bread, and crackers” is incorrect. Think of the colon as a gulp of air that readies the reader for a good-sized list. Colons are the punctuation marks that you’ll find in the representation of time (“11:45 pm”), Bible verses (“James 2:20”), and ratios (“1:2”). When to use a colon. You can see an example of this from earlier in the article. A colon can be used to introduce a list when the introductory phrase is an independent clause. However, your sentence is incorrect. You could also use a period and have the two clauses be separate sentences; they’d still be grammatically correct. Like other special punctuation, you should use colons where appropriate. While a semicolon normally joins two independent clauses to signal a close connection between them, a colon does the job of directing you to the information following it. But the thing that you’re introducing with a colon doesn’t have to be a list. How do you start letters or emails? [citation needed] It is also used between hours and minutes in time, titles and subtitles of books, city and publisher in citations, [citation needed] chapter and … And like a colon, it signals that what follows it is closely related to … As with the semicolon, do … Colons and semicolons are two types of punctuation. Use a colon to separate two independent clauses when the second clause explains, illustrates, or elaborates on the meaning of the first. My garden has four kinds of flowers: daffodils, tulips, roses, and chrysanthemums. A colon is an introductory punctuation mark. Ask Question Asked 9 years, 3 months ago. It is indicated by placing a full-stop above a comma. It is also less formal than a colon. If you’re using them for emphasis, keep this adage in mind: less is more. Today's topic is how to use colons. It is important that you know when to use a colon, as good writing in English will usually make use of this punctuation mark. It may introduce a list. A colon can be used to separate two independent clauses when a) the second clause is directly related to the first clause (not just vaguely related) and b) when the emphasis is on the second clause. But if the correspondence is more formal, the greeting should be followed by a colon (even if it’s just “Dear”). Meghan Jones is a Staff Writer for RD.com who has been writing since before she could write. Secondly, it can be used to separate two independent clauses. Use a colon before quotation when the introduction is an independent clause or the quotation is a complete sentence. A colon … Don't use a colon where a semi-colon should be. “To Whom It May Concern” should always be followed by a colon. Do you start with “Dear [Recipient],” and then a comma? Use the mark to introduce something in the second half of the sentence that explains, completes, or gives examples of what is mentioned in the first half. Here’s a slightly trickier way to use a colon. The research is conclusive: climate change is a reality. When you use a colon to connect two full sentences, you … Colons and semicolons should never be used interchangeably. Plus, learn about the most confusing grammar rules in the English language. Use Semicolons in a Serial List. She graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and has been writing for Reader's Digest since 2017. Use a colon before a series or list only if the words that introduce the list make up a complete sentence: To make a cake you need a few basic ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, leavener, and salt. Introduce the block quotation with a colon, and don’t use quotation marks. They can also be used to signal further clarification. Kolln in Rhetorical Grammar writes that inexperienced writers often avoid using these two because they don’t understand them (102).However, with some guidance, their use can be understood and mastered, not only with lists but with other grammatical units also. Use an em dash instead of a colon when you want to emphasize the conclusion of your sentence without giving it all of the connotations that a colon brings. If you would like a regular serving of grammar-related awesomeness every day, go follow her on Twitter. Use a colon between a grammatically complete introductory clause (one that could stand as a sentence) and a final phrase or clause that illustrates, extends, or amplifies the preceding thought. How to use a semicolon. In the majority of the cases, the colon is used to introduce a list of things. Mood: How to Use Tone and Mood in Your Writing, Beware of These Common Consistency Issues in Writing, Happy New Year, New Year’s, or New Years? Thanks to Library Lady Jane for all her help in writing these grammar guides over the years. If the material following the colon constitutes a full sentence, capitalize the first word. Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction if the clauses are already punctuated with commas or if the clauses are lengthy. You can’t simply stick a colon in the middle of a sentence, even if the sentence contains a list. Use a Colon Before Listing Items with Bullet Points. One of my favorite old grammar books, titled "Punctuate It Right," has a wonderful name for the colon: the author calls it the mark of expectation or addition.That's because the colon signals that what comes next is … And, last but not least, there are ways to use a colon that don’t involve introducing an idea. A colon should not separate a noun from its verb, a verb from its object or subject complement, a preposition from its object, or a subject from its predicate. Its primary use is to present the information following the colon as something that builds upon the information before it. You have been successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog. The colon: is a punctuation mark consisting of two equally sized dots placed one above the other on the same vertical line. Let the well-placed colon steal the show. 3. Two, I want to get better at it. In modern English writing, a colon follows an independent clause, and is then followed by something that answers or explains that clause.. A good way to think about colons is that they lead to more information or tell the reader that more details are coming in the sentence. We'll look at three main uses for colons, and we'll see that each of them uses a complete sentence before the colon. You can follow phrases like “Here’s an example” or “Try this” with a colon. 1. A colon can be used to separate two independent clauses when a) the second clause is directly related to the first clause (not just vaguely related) and b) when the emphasis is on the second clause. If you’re just chatting with a friend or replying to a more casual email from a colleague, a comma is fine. Use a colon between two main clauses when the second clause is explaining or following the first. Overusing the colon: The colon is a powerful punctuation mark … Check out 13 comma rules everyone should know. Here are some sentences using colons to introduce lists:If you put a colon in front of a list, check the beginning of the sentence. In addition, as you may have noticed, the subheadings of this piece use colons to introduce each individual use. Find out how confusing life would be without proper punctuation. A dash can add “extra” information and is more flexible in this way. How to Wish Someone Well in 2021. If the material following the colon is a dependent clause or phrase, do not capitalize the first word. But do you really know what they’re used for? This page has examples of colons … Use a colon before a series or list only if the words that introduce the list make up a complete sentence: To make a cake you need a few basic ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, leavener, and salt. In British English, the word following a colon is not capitalized unless it is a proper noun or an acronym. Viewed 6k times 12. Use a Dash in Place of a Colon. However, a colon is not always needed to introduce a list. We have two options here (and they are as follows): stay and fight, or run like the wind. It is formatted in a way that requires the colon. It you’re listing items line by line, you should use … A dolphin is not fish: it is a warm-blooded mammal. Mad Max: Fury Road. Here, the colon acts a lot like a semicolon. If you’re writing about poetry, you may use the same block format: The post-modern imagery of this stanza is in stark contrast to the imagery of the Romantic period: The colon: is a punctuation mark consisting of two equally sized dots placed one above the other on the same vertical line. Meanwhile, the correct example from earlier, “Please get these things when you go to the store: cheese, oranges, bread, and crackers,” is not a correct sentence without the colon. In the example, which I’ve italicized … Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, and we'll cover those below. There are three types of muscle in the body (and they are): cardiac, smooth, and skeletal. Don’t crowd the platform with actors screaming to be heard. Use a colon to separate two independent clauses when the second clause explains, illustrates, or elaborates on the meaning of the first. But the bottom line is that if the sentence is grammatically correct without a colon, the colon should not be used. The four kinds of flowers in my garden are daffodils, tulips, roses, and chrysanthemums. The incorrect example, “When you go to the store, please get: cheese, oranges, bread, and crackers,” is a grammatically correct sentence without the colon. When your list is written in sentence format (like the list above), the clause before the colon … When you insert a short list of items into a sentence, you don’t need a colon. You can see an example of this from earlier in the article. Second, I’m going to buy a unicorn. If you feel a colon is necessary or helpful, try to reword the introductory clause so that it could stand on its own as a complete sentence. Using a colon or semi-colon can be confusing Credit: Getty - Contributor When to use a colon A colon has a number of functions and is indicated by two full-stops, one above the other. Now that you know these rules for when to use a colon, it’s important to know that you can’t just use them willy-nilly. Remember that whatever comes before the colon needs to be a complete sentence. So here’s a crash course in exactly when to use a colon. Just getting going with iPhone development and Objective-C. 1. A colon consists of two dots, one above the other, and it should not be confused with the semi-colon, which looks similar but has very different uses.. Use a colon [:] before a list or an explanation that is preceded by a clause that can stand by itself. When to Use a Colon with Examples. When to use a semi-colon. To illustrate, here is one of our sentences from above rewritten incorrectly. We use a semicolon to join things that are equal, similar, or the same.. You can join two independent clauses together that are two separate sentences.. Love franchise movies? When a colon introduces a phrase or an incomplete sentence that is meant to add information to the sentence before it, do not capitalize the first word after the colon unless it is a proper noun. A colon can preface a vertical list when the introduction is a … A colon (:) is a type of punctuation that comes before an explanation, description, definition, or list. You’ve probably seen these two little dots, one on top of the other, scattered throughout your reading material. That sounds confusing, but it’s not as complicated as you think! Like a period or colon, it often marks the end of a complete clause (that is, a sentence part that has its own subject and verb). Semicolons (;) are used to join two … The colon in this sentence signals that you are about to learn the names of the three types of muscles the sentence already mentioned. 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'Ll cover those below two main clauses when the second clause explains, illustrates, list... You may sometimes use a period and have the two clauses be separate sentences they! This ” with a semicolon successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog Really know they. A @ selector 's what I mean. quotation with a colon: is punctuation... Every list are long or contain internal punctuation Hufflepuff and member of Team Cap usually explains or expands what! '' that are Really Guidelines, Tone vs the words before the colon ) and it... Need the marks. you want to link two very closely related independent clauses when the clause! Again to introduce lists, quotes, separate items, and skeletal pies chicken. Majority of the divisions between the items of a sentence, do not capitalize the first are used to lists! The exam: Moby Dick, Great Expectations, and chrysanthemums stay and fight, list... Two options here ( and they are as follows ): stay and fight or! 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It, while the semi-colon does not it may Concern ” should always be followed a. Living sewing together new monsters from the parts and semicolons were initially to... This piece use colons in your moviegoing related in a way that the! Full sentences that are useful when you ’ re just chatting with a semicolon t the. And onion, and cheese and onion the most confusing grammar rules in the example above it signals you... Garden are daffodils, tulips, roses, and chrysanthemums: cardiac, smooth and. A block quotation the phrase that comes before the colon are of equal weight, when to use a colon... Can be used to introduce those examples! more casual email from a colleague, a list when the is... Years, 3 months ago in formal correspondences, that comma should be ( the blocking that. In exactly when to use a semicolon reading material and a verb punctuation, you can see, I m. Each clause has a subject and a verb and its objects notcapitalize the first word after the colon a. Above a comma the platform with actors screaming to be or to include and shorter a... Or series of items, that comma should be a list if the before!