Colons

In English punctuation, the colon (:) is a mark that primarily acts as a gateway to elaboration. Think of it as a signal to the reader that what comes next will explain, introduce, or expand upon the information presented before it.

Colons : Explanations

We use colons before explanations, to give an explicit explanation of thing(s). Remember: it is mainly for explicit usage if you don’t use conjunctions like; because, so but etc

• I’m thinking of leaving school: to make some money.
• She went on holiday: to find a boyfriend.
• I left the windows wide open: to let air in the house for the pets.
• I won’t be attending the meeting: I have a very serious heart operation.

Colons : Lists

We use colons to make lists.

• I need you to go to the supermarket and buy: apples, bread, bananas etc
• My instructions are as follows: finish the job, then leave town.

Colons : Direct speech

We use colons to report direct speech or to show direct speech. Usually, the direct speech which could be in the form of a quote will bear the person’s name followed by the colon.

• In Albert Einstein’s words: Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
• Churchill: never, never, never give in…
• Aristotle: he who has never learnt to obey cannot be a good commander.

We use the colon : for subdivisions

We use colons to subordinate or subdivide. Things or people that could be of less importance and need to be subordinated in a sentence.

• Feelings: love
• The situation right now: bad
• Punctuation: colon
• Numbers: cardinal and ordinal