The colon is a very useful punctuation mark. It most often is used to replace the word “because.” In technical terms, the colon is used between independent clauses when the second is an explanation for the first. (A clause is a group of words that belong together; an independent clause is a group of words that have a subject and a verb.)
Example: “The colon is one of my favorite English tools: it helps keep my word count down and it organizes my thoughts.” Instead of ”The colon is one of my favorite English tools because it helps keep my word count down and it organizes my thoughts.”
The colon may be used to introduce a list. While it is not necessary to use a colon before a list, it often helps to make the list stand out. Make sure you never use a colon directly after a verb or preposition.
Bad Example: “A few of my favorite things are: raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles, and warm woolen mittens.”
Better Example: “These are a few of my favorite things: raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles, and warm woolen mittens.”
Sometimes the colon is used to formally introduce a statement or quote. More often these things are introduced with a simple “said,” (So-n-so said, “blah, blah, blah”). But sometimes formal writing requires a colon.
Example: “Benjamin Franklin once made this statement: ‘A great empire, like a great cake, is most easily diminished at the edges.’”
If this article has helped you, or if you have other questions about this topic, please let me know. Thanks!
September 20, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Succinct, and so very helpful! Every time I type a colon into an article I have to stop and wonder, “am I doing this right?” Now, with your clear guidelines, I just might have it down!
~Jim