Colon Usage

Colons

by Katherine Rodgers

Open Ended

What do you know about colons? What do they look like, and when are they used?

​Colons

​The colon has 3 main uses:

• ​to introduce a list of items

• ​to separate two independent clauses when the second explains or illustrates the first.

• and to emphasize a phrase or word at the end of the sentence.

Multiple Choice

How did I use the colon in the previous slide?

• to introduce a list

• to emphasize a word at the end of the sentence.

• to seperate two independent clauses.

​#1 -To list

​Colons can be used to make a list; however, there must be a complete thought on the left side of the colon.

Multiple Choice

Which option is correctly using a colon to list items?

• My dog likes: toys, jerky, and walks in the park.

• For the camping trip: tent, clothes, sleeping bag, and food.

• You need to grab these three things for the laundry: laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets.

• We need: eggs, milk, and fabric softener.

​#2- between two independent clauses

​Just like a semicolon, a colon can be used to seperate two independent clauses, but only if the second clause explains or illustrates the first. Just like a semicolon, you do not capitalize the first letter after unless it is a proper noun.

​

Fill in the Blanks

Combine the two sentences below correctly using a colon.

Life is like a road. Every path takes you somewhere.

​#3- emphasizing

​The colon can be used to emphasize a phrase or single word at the end of the sentence.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence does not use the colon correctly?

• I need you to get several items from the store: milk, eggs, and bacon.

• The man came in the room and said only one word: disgraceful.

• In order to do laundry I need: laundry soap, dryer sheets, and bleach.

• My dog Oreo loves snacks: he is a chunky boy!

Open Ended

Write your own example sentence using a colon correctly.