Let's first look at some colons introducing clauses and phrases that explain, illustrate, amplify, and restate what's come before: Harry the Dog and Mabel the Cat were having an impassioned …

Apr 25, 2023 · Colons are one of the most misunderstood punctuation marks in English. In this guide, we’ll address the proper use of colons and provide examples.

A colon is used to extend a sentence to identify something previously mentioned, to introduce something (like a list), to divide a reference number or a time, or to introduce a quotation.

The colon, :, is a punctuation mark consisting of two equally sized dots aligned vertically. A colon often precedes an explanation, a list, [1] or a quoted sentence. [2] It is also used between …

Capitalize the first word of a complete or full-sentence quotation that follows a colon. Example: The host made an announcement: "You are all staying for dinner."

Mar 26, 2025 · Use a colon to introduce a detailed list or series that follows a complete sentence. Examples: I need to buy several items at the store: milk, bread, eggs, and cheese. The …

Jul 27, 2025 · Colons are also frequently used to introduce lists of items, ideas, or examples. The colon signals that the following elements are part of a series related to the preceding …

We can use a colon to introduce a list at the end of a complete sentence. For example, “We lived in countries all over the world: Iraq, Japan, and Peru.” Here, we’re renaming the countries that …

Aug 23, 2025 · One of the most common uses of the colon is to introduce a list of items. The colon signals that the items following it are related to the preceding clause. The list can consist …

Use a colon to introduce a list of items or elements in a series. A colon introduces an explanation or details that expand on the idea in the sentence. A colon is used before a direct quotation, …