Using colons for introductions


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Colons are used to introduce whatever follows them. Often, a list or a table follows a colon, but it can be as little as one character.

Colons to Introduce

A colon can be used to introduce something. The wording before the colon should introduce whatever follows.

Examples:

Visit: www.grammar-monster.com

Contact us by:

       1. Phone: 01908 311267
       2. E-mail: colin@lion-tamers.co.uk
       3. Fax: 01908 311269

The following points were noted as a result of
        the fire-safety survey:

        a.   Fire exits blocked by empty PC boxes.
      b.   Batteries dead in smoke detectors.
        c.   Waste-paper bins used as ashtrays.

Beer: The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems.

(Homer Simpson)

Diplomacy: The patriotic art of lying for one's country. (Ambrose Bierce)

The English country gentleman galloping after a fox: the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable. (Oscar Wilde)

grammar errors

NOT A SEMICOLON

Do not use semicolons for introductions.

I spotted the following members of the crow family whilst on the moors;

a. carrion crow
b. magpie
c. rook

The following personnel passed the first-aid test on Tue 24 Aug;

a. Jane Seymour (97%).
b. David Evans (91%).
c. Dawn Ellison-Smith (91%).

NO HYPHEN

There is no need to add a hyphen to a colon.

You will benefit from:-

1. Lower interest rates
2. Free survey
3. 24-hour helpdesk

See also:

How to use colons to extend sentences
Colons in references
Colons with bullet points
Colons with quotations

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