A colon is used to give emphasis, present dialogue, introduce lists or text, and clarify composition titles. Emphasis—Capitalize the first word after the colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence.
A colon can be used to connect two independent sentences. Typically, a colon is used when the second sentence clarifies or explains the first sentence. For example, Me and my sisters are really excited: We're going to Disneyland!
After the salutation in a formal business letter. A colon can be used immediately after the greeting in a formal letter (less-formal letters tend to use a comma in this location).
The colon should only come after a complete sentence, and before the list of items. Don't add a colon after phrases like such as, for example, or we need.
Creating the ":" symbol on a U.S. keyboard
The colon : is the same key as ; (semicolon), located directly to the right of the letter 'L' key. Tip. Doing the Alt code Alt +58 can also create a colon.
Use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses in place of a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet). Make sure when you use the semicolon that the connection between the two independent clauses is clear without the coordinating conjunction.
Use a colon before a series or list only if the words that introduce the list make up a complete sentence: To make a cake you need a few basic ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, leavener, and salt.
Colons introduce or define something. The primary use of semicolons is to join two main clauses. The difference between semicolons and colons is that colons can combine two independent clauses, but their primary use is to join independent clauses with a list or a noun.
A colon is nearly always preceded by a complete sentence; what follows the colon may or may not be a complete sentence, and it may be a mere list or even a single word.
In practice, a colon is often used to introduce a second sentence that explains or clarifies the previous one. By contrast, a semicolon is used to indicate that two sentences are simply related to each other in some way. For example: There was only one way to defeat the dragon: we needed a magic sword.
DO NOT use a colon if the complete statement is followed by a transitional word or phrase such as “namely”, “for example”, “for instance”, or “however”. In this case, use a semicolon (;) before the transitional word and a comma (,) after it.
Use colons to introduce quotations after an independent clause. Use a comma when introducing quotations after a dependent clause.
Never use a colon to separate a preposition from its object or a verb from its complement. (You may compliment your colon, however, as much as you wish.) ✘ Her diet includes: fiber, protein, minerals, and vitamins.
Rule 1: Use the colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list of items when introductory words such as namely, for example, or that is do not apply or are not appropriate. Examples: You may be required to bring many items: sleeping bags, pans, and warm clothing.
Colons and semicolon in the same sentence
Examples: I have lived in many large cities: Baltimore, Maryland; Dallas, Texas; and Miami, Florida. In this example, the colon is used to introduce the cities. Semicolons are used to separate each city and state from the next city and state in the list.
Colons are punctuation marks used to signal when what comes next is directly related to the previous sentence. They are used after complete sentences. It is especially important to remember that a colon is not used after a sentence fragment.
If you use colons in your writing, use them sparingly, and never use a colon more than once in any sentence. Rule 1: Colons can be used to introduce a list, BUT they must follow a complete sentence (independent clause).
In American English, the first word after a colon is sometimes capitalized if it begins a complete sentence; in British English, the first letter after a colon is capitalized only if its a proper noun or an acronym.
Click Arrange > Align, and then click the alignment that you want.
If only one sentence follows the colon, it is usually unnecessary to capitalize the first word of the new sentence. If two or more sentences follow the colon, capitalize the first word of each sentence following. Examples: I enjoy reading: novels by Kurt Vonnegut are among my favorites.
Semicolons are most often used to connect two independent clauses (full sentences) that are related in meaning. Both the words before the semicolon and the words after it must be complete sentences that could be separated with a period. We could go fishing on Saturday. You could borrow a pole from my neighbor.
Use an em dash instead of a colon when you want to emphasize the conclusion of your sentence without giving it all of the connotations that a colon brings. A dash can add “extra” information and is more flexible in this way. It is also less formal than a colon.
The group of words that comes before the semicolon should form a complete sentence, the group of words that comes after the semicolon should form a complete sentence, and the two sentences should share a close, logical connection: I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch; life's too short for counting calories.
The colon, :, is a punctuation mark consisting of two equally sized dots aligned vertically. A colon often precedes an explanation, a list, or a quoted sentence.