In the past, I’ve talked about how to use commas and semicolons properly. A friend recently helped me realize that I hadn’t yet written about colons.
Here are 4 instances when you should use colons and some examples for each. If you stick to these 4 circumstances, you may very well become an expert colon user.
1. Separate list items from the rest of the sentence
- When you’re at the store, will you pick up some fruit: apples, oranges, and bananas?
- I love all sorts of pets: fish, cats, dogs, whatever.
2. Before a description
- He’s such a difficult child: moody, defiant, and secretive.
- I really don’t care for this weather: it’s so hot and muggy.
3. Before an explanation
- It was the worst holiday ever: they lost my luggage, the hotel didn’t have my reservation, and someone stole my purse.
4. Introducing logical consequences
- There was only one explanation: his mum’s special friend was actually his dad.
And, of course, you use it in formatting time (4:20) or Bible references (John 3:16), and for separating title and subtitles (Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope) and setting off dialogue from speakers in film and theatre scripts.
When it comes to using colons in grammar, just try to remember that you use a colon to sort of define things, whether it’s fruit, pets, a child, weather, a holiday, or an explanation.
Are you aware of any other legitimate uses of the semicolon? Put them in the comments below.
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