Use of Colons

#1 Colons are used after an independent clause to introduce a list.

 Which of the following is correct?

• My mom told me to get the following: cheese, milk, and eggs. 

• My mom told me to get grocery items: cheese milk, and eggs.

• My mom told me to get: cheese, milk, and eggs.

• My mom told me to get cheese, milk, and eggs. 

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

#2 Colons are used after an independent clause to introduce a quote.

What is correct?

• Hiccup Haddock's line is classic: "This is Berk."

• Hiccup Haddock said the following: "This is Berk."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

#3 Use a colon after the salutation in a formal letter.

Which is correct?

• Dr. Jones,

• Dr. Jones:

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

#4 Use a colon between the title and 

subtitle of a book.

Which is correct?

• I enjoyed reading Frankenstein: The 1818 Text.

• I enjoyed reading, Frankenstein: The 1818 Text.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

#5 Use a colon to emphasize a point.

Which ones are correct?

• There was only one thing I wanted to do now: read!

• She had one love: reading.

• She only had one love, books.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

#6 Use a colon with time and ratios.
Which ones are correct?

• I read 2:28 pages in my book today.

• Add the chemicals in a 2:3 ratio.

• Add the chemicals in a 2,3 ratio.

• I set my alarm to 7:30.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

 7. Don’t capitalize the word after the colon unless it’s a proper noun.

What ones are correct?

• I want to make this clear: Books are better than movies.

• I want to make this clear: books are better than movies.

• There is only one thing I want: Taco Bell tacos.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B