How to use colons

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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.

1.   The wording before a 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.    


 

 

  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 

 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  
 
  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%).  Is this example right or wrong?  (Mini Test)

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When using bullets, be consistent throughout the document with the style (i.e. capital letters and punctuation) at the start and end of each bullet.
1.   Whilst this section is not strictly about colons, a colon is often used to introduce bullet points, which have their own guidelines.  In the first example below, each bullet starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.  Choose whatever format you like, but be consistent throughout your document.

Examples:
  Dr Mole won the following events:
       1. Egg-and-spoon race.
       2. Toss the pancake.
       3. Apple bobbing.                            
  Dr Mole won the following events:
       a. egg-and-spoon race.
       b. Toss the pancake
       c. Apple bobbing.                            

      (small "e" on "egg" and no full stop at the 
      end of pancake)
  The birds listed below were spotted during
        the survey:
        a. Dipper (two).
        b. bittern (one).
        c. Grey Wagtail (twelve). Is this example right or wrong?  (Mini Test)
 

 CONSISTENT BULLETS 

 When using bullet points, ensure each one ties in with the introduction.ne black
  [picture]
 

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Colons are used to introduce quotations of more than 6 words.
1.   When introducing a quotation of more than 6 words, the guidelines state that a colon should be used.

Examples:
The minister shouted: "Do not worry. The next time I stand up here, I will have
       answers to these questions."
The aliens repeatedly insisted: "We come in peace. Take me to your leader."

 DON'T WORRY 

This is by no means a hard and fast rule, and commas can be used instead.  (See lesson "Quotation Marks")

Examples:
The referee yelled: "not on my pitch...off!"
The priestess whispered: "Take them to the pit." Is this example right or wrong?  (Mini Test)

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A colon can be used to extend a sentence.
1.    You can use a colon to introduce words that offer a more detailed version of something previously mentioned in the sentence.

Examples:
The cat's fur was found in two rooms: the bedroom and the kitchen.
His success is attributed to one thing: determination.
He will be the winner of Loughborough's oldest award: the Arthur Scotland
      Trophy.

 IT'S JUST LIKE AN EQUALS SIGN 

 Many people like to think of the colon as an equals sign.  In the examples above:
two rooms = bedroom and kitchen
 one thing = determination
 the oldest award = the Authur Scotland Trophy

 The phrase after the colon is an "equal phrase" or, as it is better known, an "appositive phrase" to something mentioned before the colon.
  [picture]


 

  NOT A COLON

When a slight break is preferable to new sentence, you should use a semicolon and not colon.
John fumbled for the keyhole: the street lights had failed again.
No one was seriously hurt in the accident; one man broke his
       index finger. 
  [picture]
 
(See lesson "Extend a Sentence")

Examples:
Ian had caught 3 fish: a perch and 2 gudgeon.  Is this example right or wrong?  (Mini Test)
No one believed Janice: she often exaggerated. Is this example right or wrong?  (Mini Test)

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Colons can be used to divide the parts of references, titles and times.
1.    Whilst other punctuation can be used to divide the parts of references, titles and times, colons are acceptable. (They often make better separators than the alternatives.)

Examples:
Learn Chapter XIV: Section 4: Paragraph 6 by tomorrow.
       (commas could be used too)
Have you read "Mars: The Landing"?
       (The author opted to use a colon, but could have used a dash.)
The alarm clock is set for 07:30.
       (0730 and 07.30 are also correct)

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