The Basics
[1] Time 8:00a.m.
[2] Business salutation Dear Sir:
[3] Headings Car for sale: red two door...
[4] Title: subtle Yukon Wild: A 2,000 Mile Odyssey
[5] Introduction of a series or list
I painted my car three colors: red, green, and purple.
My new puppy ate everything he could reach: my shoes, Dad's easy chair, and Mom's toes.
[5A] Don't use a colon if one or more of the items in the list are needed to complete the introductory statement.
<wrong> The fastest runners were: Fred, Barry, and Jeff
[correct] These are the reasons that Kevin returned the car: the tires went flat; the steering wheel fell off; the lights burned out.
[5B] Use a colon after the terms "as follows" and "the following"
The way to the store is as follows: right at the first light and then you'll see it on your left about a mile down.
The following children should stay after class: Jenny, Ginny, and Jamie.
[5C] But don't use a colon if a list is introduced with a phrase such as "such as"
<wrong> Hot dogs contain ingredients such as: beef, chicken, and turkey.
Beyond the Basics
[6] A colon points the way to a revelation.
I slipped on my boots, slid on my gloves, and picked up my gun: it was time to finish what I'd started.
(Notice how the colon throws emphasis on the final clause.)
[7] A colon points to an explanation. (Answers the question "why?")
I stared at the floor: I couldn't look her in the eyes ever again.
(Notice, the colon could be replaced by a period in this example, but the colon emphasises the relationship between the sentences.)
[7A] Answers the question "what?"
I have a secret: I killed her.
[8] A colon can point to an elaboration.
He was a careful little man: he looked both ways before crossing his own porch to get the paper.
[9] A colon can herald a summary or conclusion. (Loose usage)
The dog had keen eyesight, a steady point, and a nose for pheasant: he was a perfect bird dog.
Note: In the strictest sense, an em dash is technically the preferred punctuation when summarizing.
Syntax
No space before a colon, one space after
(You will find older texts that have a single space before and two spaces after, but this is an outdated syntax.)
Capitalization after a colon: generally the first letter following a colon, even if it is the beginning of a complete sentence, should not be capitalized (unless, of
course, it warrants capitalization on its own like "I" or a proper name). It is possible, for stylistic reasons to capitalize it, but only do so for a good and defensible
(to your editor) reason.
Usage Key
The colon is used when the following statement explains, elucidates, reaffirms, elaborates, illustrates, or summarizes the preceding statement.
Be sure that everything that follows a colon is directly related to the topic in the introductory clause.
A colon should normally be preceded by a complete sentence. (There are some exceptions to this.)
Misuse
Do not use a colon to indicate an abrupt change in thought or an afterthought. (Should be an em dash instead.)
<wrong> I'd like to borrow your car: if you don't mind.
[correct] I'd like to borrow your car--if you don't mind.
Let's Talk Style
The key to the colon is that it throws the emphasis on whatever follows. Only use it when the information warrants such a spotlight.
The dog leaped into the water after the alligator: he knew no fear.
The dog leaped into the water after the alligator; he knew no fear.
The dog leaped into the water after the alligator. He knew no fear.
All three versions (colon, semicolon, and period) are grammatically correct, but can you feel the difference in emphasis?
In the first sentence, the emphasis is on "he knew no fear."
In the second, the emphasis is spread evenly between both clauses (but there is a strong feeling of connection).
In the third, the emphasis is slightly tilted toward the second sentence, but de-emphasises the connection between the two thoughts.
Let's see how the pros use it
Now the way that the book winds up is this: Tom and me found the money that the robbers hid in the cave, and it made us rich.
--Mark Twain (Huckleberry Fin)
But when I got to shore pap wasn't in sight yet, and as I was running her into a little creek like a gully, all hung over with vines and willows, I struck
another idea: I judged I'd hide her good, and then, 'stead of taking to the woods when I run off, I'd go down the river about fifty mile and camp
in one place for good, and not have such a rough time tramping on foot.
But, looking, I presently saw something stirring within the shadow: greyish billowy movements, one above another, and then two
luminous disks--like eyes.
--H.G. Wells (War of the Worlds)
The description of their death, as it was seen by the crowd, tallies very closely with my own impressions: the three
puffs of green smoke, the deep humming note, and the flashes of flame.
--H.G. Wells (War of the Worlds)
Here the scenery changed from the strange and unfamiliar to the wreckage of the familiar: patches of ground exhibited the devastation
of a cyclone, and in a few score yards I would come upon perfectly undisturbed spaces, houses with their blinds trimly drawn and doors
closed, as if they had been left for a day by the owners, or as if their inhabitants slept within.
--H.G. Wells (War of the Worlds)
[1] Time 8:00a.m.
[2] Business salutation Dear Sir:
[3] Headings Car for sale: red two door...
[4] Title: subtle Yukon Wild: A 2,000 Mile Odyssey
[5] Introduction of a series or list
I painted my car three colors: red, green, and purple.
My new puppy ate everything he could reach: my shoes, Dad's easy chair, and Mom's toes.
[5A] Don't use a colon if one or more of the items in the list are needed to complete the introductory statement.
<wrong> The fastest runners were: Fred, Barry, and Jeff
[correct] These are the reasons that Kevin returned the car: the tires went flat; the steering wheel fell off; the lights burned out.
[5B] Use a colon after the terms "as follows" and "the following"
The way to the store is as follows: right at the first light and then you'll see it on your left about a mile down.
The following children should stay after class: Jenny, Ginny, and Jamie.
[5C] But don't use a colon if a list is introduced with a phrase such as "such as"
<wrong> Hot dogs contain ingredients such as: beef, chicken, and turkey.
Beyond the Basics
[6] A colon points the way to a revelation.
I slipped on my boots, slid on my gloves, and picked up my gun: it was time to finish what I'd started.
(Notice how the colon throws emphasis on the final clause.)
[7] A colon points to an explanation. (Answers the question "why?")
I stared at the floor: I couldn't look her in the eyes ever again.
(Notice, the colon could be replaced by a period in this example, but the colon emphasises the relationship between the sentences.)
[7A] Answers the question "what?"
I have a secret: I killed her.
[8] A colon can point to an elaboration.
He was a careful little man: he looked both ways before crossing his own porch to get the paper.
[9] A colon can herald a summary or conclusion. (Loose usage)
The dog had keen eyesight, a steady point, and a nose for pheasant: he was a perfect bird dog.
Note: In the strictest sense, an em dash is technically the preferred punctuation when summarizing.
Syntax
No space before a colon, one space after
(You will find older texts that have a single space before and two spaces after, but this is an outdated syntax.)
Capitalization after a colon: generally the first letter following a colon, even if it is the beginning of a complete sentence, should not be capitalized (unless, of
course, it warrants capitalization on its own like "I" or a proper name). It is possible, for stylistic reasons to capitalize it, but only do so for a good and defensible
(to your editor) reason.
Usage Key
The colon is used when the following statement explains, elucidates, reaffirms, elaborates, illustrates, or summarizes the preceding statement.
Be sure that everything that follows a colon is directly related to the topic in the introductory clause.
A colon should normally be preceded by a complete sentence. (There are some exceptions to this.)
Misuse
Do not use a colon to indicate an abrupt change in thought or an afterthought. (Should be an em dash instead.)
<wrong> I'd like to borrow your car: if you don't mind.
[correct] I'd like to borrow your car--if you don't mind.
Let's Talk Style
The key to the colon is that it throws the emphasis on whatever follows. Only use it when the information warrants such a spotlight.
The dog leaped into the water after the alligator: he knew no fear.
The dog leaped into the water after the alligator; he knew no fear.
The dog leaped into the water after the alligator. He knew no fear.
All three versions (colon, semicolon, and period) are grammatically correct, but can you feel the difference in emphasis?
In the first sentence, the emphasis is on "he knew no fear."
In the second, the emphasis is spread evenly between both clauses (but there is a strong feeling of connection).
In the third, the emphasis is slightly tilted toward the second sentence, but de-emphasises the connection between the two thoughts.
Let's see how the pros use it
Now the way that the book winds up is this: Tom and me found the money that the robbers hid in the cave, and it made us rich.
--Mark Twain (Huckleberry Fin)
But when I got to shore pap wasn't in sight yet, and as I was running her into a little creek like a gully, all hung over with vines and willows, I struck
another idea: I judged I'd hide her good, and then, 'stead of taking to the woods when I run off, I'd go down the river about fifty mile and camp
in one place for good, and not have such a rough time tramping on foot.
But, looking, I presently saw something stirring within the shadow: greyish billowy movements, one above another, and then two
luminous disks--like eyes.
--H.G. Wells (War of the Worlds)
The description of their death, as it was seen by the crowd, tallies very closely with my own impressions: the three
puffs of green smoke, the deep humming note, and the flashes of flame.
--H.G. Wells (War of the Worlds)
Here the scenery changed from the strange and unfamiliar to the wreckage of the familiar: patches of ground exhibited the devastation
of a cyclone, and in a few score yards I would come upon perfectly undisturbed spaces, houses with their blinds trimly drawn and doors
closed, as if they had been left for a day by the owners, or as if their inhabitants slept within.
--H.G. Wells (War of the Worlds)
The Colon (:)
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