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Colons for Introductions
Colon after an Introduction
A colon (:) can be used after an introduction. In these examples, the introductions are highlighted:- There are just two more things we need to do: sign the contract and pop the cork.
- The following personnel have been selected:
1. Fred Bloggs
2. Joe Bloggs
3. John Doe
- Lee likes the following pies: cheese and onion, chicken and mushroom, and beef and ale.


Ensure Your Introduction Can Stand Alone
When a colon is used in normal-looking text (i.e., not a vertical list like bullet points), the introduction before the colon should be capable of standing alone. In other words, it should be an independent clause. Some strict grammarians maintain this ruling applies to all introductions preceding colons, even those that introduce bullet points and numbered points (like in the second example above).Look at these two examples:
- The people selected are: Fred Bloggs, Joe Bloggs, and John Doe.
- The following people have been selected: Fred Bloggs, Joe Bloggs, and John Doe.
- The people selected are Fred Bloggs, Joe Bloggs, and John Doe.
Introduction to a Quotation
To justify a colon, the introduction before a quotation should also be an independent clause. For example:- He said these words: "not yet."
- He said: "not yet."
- He said, "not yet."
- He said: "I'm not there yet."
For Vertical Lists, There Is More Leniency
When a vertical list is being introduced (typically, a bulleted list or numbered list), it is more acceptable to use an introduction that does not stand alone. For example:- The people selected are:
1. Fred Bloggs
2. Joe Bloggs
3. John Doe
A full introduction is tidier. For example:
- 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.
Using "The Following"
Look at this example:- The winners are the following: John, Sarah, and Simon.
- The winners are: John, Sarah, and Simon.
- The winners are John, Sarah, and Simon.
- Contact us by:
1. Phone: 01908 311267
2. E-mail: colin@lion-tamers.co.uk
3. Fax: 01908 311269
- Beer: the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems.
(Homer Simpson)
- Diplomacy: the patriotic art of lying for one's country.
(Author Ambrose Bierce)
- The English country gentleman galloping after a fox: the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable.
(Playwright Oscar Wilde)
Read more about using colons.
Not a Semicolon
Do not use semicolons for introductions.- I spotted the following members of the crow
family while on the moors;
a. rook
b. magpie
c. carrion crow
- 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%).
A Colon and a 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
Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?