Colons
- What is a colon?
- A colon is used to demonstrate a balance between items on each side of it. A writer uses a colon to introduce a statement, to render a restatement, or to present a formal list.
HOT GRAMMAR TIP
If you can place the word "namely" just after the colon and the sentence makes sense, then you are using the colon correctly.
Example #1
Dinner
is served: tuna fish, carrots, and a slice of pita bread.
Explanation:
The colon serves as a cue to the reader that you are about to name the things
being served.
Example #2
She wanted to bake a cake: chocolate.
Explanation: The colon tells the reader that you are about to name the specific cake
she plans to bake.
Caution: The words before a colon must comprise a complete sentence whereas the words after the colon do not need to. However, if the words after the colon do comprise a complete sentence, then the first letter after the word should be capitalized; otherwise, the first letter is not capitalized.