Colon Punctuation

The colon (:) signals to the reader that more information is to come. In this lesson we will learn to use colon punctuation correctly.

Between Independent Clauses

We have learned that a semicolon can join two independent clauses that contain related thoughts. A colon can join two independent clauses when the first clause introduces the second or the second clause illustrates the first. 

• On the camping trip, I learned an important lesson: It is wise to take along some insect repellent.
• Before I can write in my journal, I must do two things: I must complete my homework and help with the dishes.
• The kitchen was a mess: Dirty pans filled the sink, the refrigerator was standing open, and the floor was covered with flour.
• I have one more request: Pray for me.
• My dog Remington looked awful: His fur was matted, his ears were drooping, and his paws were caked with mud.
• The team was jubilant: They had won their game and were tied for the championship.

Examples 1

Use colon punctuation as needed in these sentences.

1. There is one sure way to pass the test do the homework.
2. The artist was impressive he could paint with his toes.
3. She still has a concern she is afraid it might rain.
4. His desk was tidy the papers were stacked neatly, and the pencils stood upright in their holder.
5. I knew I had forgotten something my keys were at home on my desk.
6. His bicycle was not fit to ride its tires were flat; its brakes were worn out; and its handle bars were bent.

Solutions

1. The first independent clause introduces the second, so we place a colon between them:

There is one sure way to pass the test: Do the homework. 

2. The second independent clause illustrates the first. We place a colon between them:

The artist was impressive: He could paint with his toes. 

3. The first independent clause introduces the second, so we place a colon between them:

She still has a concern: She is afraid it might rain. 

4. The second independent clause illustrates the first. We place a colon between them:

His desk was tidy: The papers were stacked neatly, and the pencils stood upright in their holder. 

5. The first independent clause introduces the second, so we place a colon between them:

I knew I had forgotten something: My keys were at home on my desk. 

6. The second independent clause illustrates the first. We place a colon between them:

His bicycle was not fit to ride: Its tires were flat; its brakes were worn out; and its handle bars were bent.

Introducing a List

We use a colon at the end of a sentence to introduce a list. 

• I made a grocery list: bananas, milk, bread, and eggs.
• She certainly hopes to visit other states: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.
• Fido knows three commands: sit, stay, and come.
• Here are some American authors: William Faulkner, Jack London, Mark Twain, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Ernest Hemingway.
• We will study these works by Charles Dickens: The Old Curiosity Shop, Bleak House, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, and Great Expectations.

We do not use a colon if the sentence is grammatically correct without it.

The Following, As Follows

We use a colon with the words the following or as follows when they introduce a list. Sometimes the list will begin on a separate line.

• Gather the following ingredients: flour, sugar, butter, and eggs.
  
• The ingredients are as follows:
       2 eggs
       1/4 cup milk
       1 teaspoon sugar
• Please study the following parts of speech: nouns, verbs, and pronouns.
• We bathe a dog as follows:
       Fill a tub with lukewarm water.
       Gently lift the dog into the water.
       Shampoo the dog...
• The "Brains Trust" included the following Columbia University professors: Adolph A. Berle, Jr., Rexford G. Tugwell, and Raymond Moley.

Examples 2

Use colon punctuation as needed in these sentences.

1. For the hike, you will need the following a compass, a water bottle, and sturdy boots.
2. In Grandpa's tool shed are shovels, hoes, and rakes.
3. At camp, you will need the following a sleeping bag, a comb, soap, and a towel.

Solutions

1. We use a colon after the words the following when they introduce a list: 

For the hike, you will need the following: a compass, a water bottle, and sturdy boots.

2. We do not use colon punctuation if the sentence is grammatically correct without it. No colon is needed in this sentence.

3. We use colon punctuation after the words the following when they introduce a list: 

At camp, you will need the following: a sleeping bag, a comb, soap, and a towel.

Salutation of a Business Letter

We use colon punctuation after a salutation in a business letter.

Madam:
Dear Mr. Tran:
Gentleman:
Ladies:
Fellow Americans:

Time

When we write the time of day with digits, we use a colon to separate the hours and minutes. 

Class begins at 9:15 a.m.
The space shuttle departs at 10:00 a.m.

Examples 3

Use colon punctuation as needed in these sentences.

1. The show will start at 730 p.m.
2. Dear Sir
        Please send me information...

Solutions

1. We place a colon between the hours and minutes when we write the time of day. We write 7:30 p.m.
2. We use colon punctuation after the salutation in a business letter, so we write Dear Sir:

Quotations

We can use a colon to introduce a quotation.

• Grandma's memoirs began like this:
       The youngest of six children, I was born on a small farm near Des Moines,
       Iowa...
• Uncle Bill's letter went on: "It snowed again last night...
• The beginning of Lincoln's Gettysburg address is familiar to us:
       Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent
       a new nation...
• Many of us can recite the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States:
       We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union,
       establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common
       defense, promote the general welfare...
• Grandpa continued to reminisce: "I remember the first time I saw your Grandma...

Bible References

We use a colon between the chapter and verse in a Bible reference.

• Our assignment was to read from Psalm 1:1 to Psalm 150:6.
• A good life verse might be Jeremiah 29:11.
• Let us read John 3:16.

Examples 4

Use colon punctuation as needed in these sentences.

1. Nien's speech began "Thank you for having me."
2. Please tell me who said these words "Give me liberty, or give me death."
3. For the Bible class, each student was asked to memorize John 3 16.
4. To paint the chair, you will need the following items sandpaper, paint brush, rags, drop cloth, and paint.
5. Please tell me who said these words "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country!"
6. To make banana bread, you will need the following ingredients flour, sugar, oil, vanilla, salt, soda, eggs, and bananas.
7. President Eisenhower commented on the Bricker Amendment "If it's true that when you die the things that bothered you most are engraved on your skull, I am sure I'll have there…the name of Senator Bricker."

Solutions

1. We can use a colon to introduce a quotation, so we write:

Nien's speech began: "Thank you for having me."

2. Please tell me who said these words: "Give me liberty, or give me death."

3. We use a colon between the chapter and verse in a Bible reference, so we write John 3:16. 

4. We use colon punctuation to introduce a list, so we write the sentence as follows:

To paint the chair, you will need the following items: sandpaper, paint brush, rags, drop cloth, and paint.

5. We can use a colon to introduce a quotation, so we write the sentence as follows:

Please tell me who said these words: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country!"

6. We use a colon to introduce a list, so we write the sentence like this:

To make banana bread, you will need the following ingredients: flour, sugar, oil, vanilla, salt, soda, eggs, and bananas.

7. We can use a colon to introduce a quotation.

President Eisenhower commented on the Bricker Amendment: "If it's true that when you die the things that bothered you most are engraved on your skull, I am sure I'll have there…the name of Senator Bricker."