Colons

What is a colon (:)?

Answer explanation

It's a punctuation mark!

But it is also the same word we use to refer to a section of the large intestine from cecum to rectum.

How confident are you with using colons in your sentences?

• What is a colon again?

• I've seen it before, but I don't understand how to use it.

• I've used them before with mixed results.

• I know perfectly well how to use colons.

What do you notice about the use of the colon in this sentence? “After these encounters, I would be a mess for days: depressed, irritable, hypervigilant, ashamed.” (Junot Díaz, “The Terror”)

• It is used to end the sentence.

• It is introducing a list.

• It is introducing a quotation.

• It is used to express time.

What do you notice about the use of the colon in this sentence? “At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Simone added five medals to her total: golds in team, individual all-around, vault, and floor exercise, and bronze on beam.”

(Marty Kaminsky, “Simone Biles”)

• It is used to express time.

• It is used in the middle of the sentence.

• It is introducing a quotation.

• It is introducing a list.

What do you notice about the use of the colon in this sentence? “At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Simone added five medals to her total: golds in team, individual all-around, vault, and floor exercise, and bronze on beam.”

(Marty Kaminsky, “Simone Biles”)

• It is used to express time.

• It is used to begin the sentence.

• It is introducing a quotation.

• It is introducing a list.

What do you notice about the use of the colon in this sentence? “He crossed the lawn, slumped down on the garden bench, and sang under his breath: “Happy birthday to me… happy birthday to me…” (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)

• It is used to express time.

• It is used in the middle of the sentence.

• It is introducing a quotation.

• It is introducing a list.

Indicate the sentence containing the correct use of the colon.

• My sister has three hobbies: baking, rock climbing, and bothering me.

• My sister has three hobbies: Baking, Rock climbing, and Bothering me

Answer explanation

A list after a colon should not be capitalized.

Indicate the sentence containing the correct use of the colon.

• Henry gathered all the ingredients needed for his mother’s favorite breakfast: eggs, cheese, potatoes, bread, butter, and strawberries.

• All the ingredients needed for his mother’s favorite breakfast: eggs, cheese, potatoes, bread, butter, and strawberries.

Answer explanation

The words before the colon must make up a complete sentence (i.e. an independent clause).

Indicate the sentence containing the correct use of the colon.

• Whirling excitedly around the backyard, the child joyfully cried: “We finally got a puppy!”

• Whirling excitedly around the backyard, the child’s joyful cries could be heard down the block: “We finally got a puppy!”

Answer explanation

The clause before the colon must be an independent clause.

Indicate the sentence containing the correct use of the colon.

• Conrad always said the same thing: “We can get married when we’re older!”

• Conrad always said: “We can get married when we’re older!”

Answer explanation

The clause before the colon must be an independent clause.