In written English, there are many different types of punctuation you can use to add structure to your writing and make it more varied and interesting. We're sure you're already comfortable using some simpler punctuation, such as periods and commas; however, other slightly trickier to use punctuation marks can add a real impact to your writing, such colons.
This article will discuss colons, including their function, how to use them, and plenty of examples.
What are Colons?
Before we go any further, let's look at what a colon is:
A colon is a punctuation mark written as two dots, one on top of the other (:). Colons are used at the end of complete sentences to show that the next part of the text is directly related to the previous. You may also see colons being used to introduce lists.
Colons can be used to introduce different types of lists:
- bullet point lists
- numbered lists
- written lists (in a sentence format)
See what we did there? The colon was used at the end of a complete sentence to introduce a bullet point list.
Fig 1. Colons can be used to introduce numbered lists.
Be careful not to confuse colons with semicolons. This is a colon - : and this is a semicolon - ;
Colons in Grammar
As colons are a type of punctuation, they are an important part of grammar. Punctuation helps us add clarity, structure, and meaning to our writing and makes it more accessible and enjoyable for the reader.
An important rule to remember about colons is that they can only be used at the end of a complete sentence. This means the subject, verb, and object must appear before the colon is used in a sentence.
Colons Functions
Colons have a few different functions, making it a little difficult to remember how to use them. Not to worry though; we'll go through the functions of colons and then look at how you can use them in your writing.
Here are some of the main functions of colons:
To introduce a sentence or statement related to the previous one
To introduce a written list or item
To introduce a bullet point or numbered list (much like this one)
To introduce a long quote (such as a long sentence or multiple sentences)
Using Colons
Let's look at each of the colon's functions and how to use the colons correctly.
Introducing a Related Sentence or Phrase
Another use of colons is to connect two related sentences. When doing so, the second sentence should add relevant information to the first.
Samira hoped for the best after sitting her exams: she had worked hard all year.
In this example, the first sentence makes perfect sense on its own, and the second sentence provides extra information. Another way to think about it is that the first sentence provides context while the second sentence adds additional detail.
Using a colon this way can often be confused with a semicolon, but we'll cover that in more detail under the heading 'Colons vs. Semicolons.'
Remember, you don't need to capitalize the first letter of the word following a colon unless it's a proper noun.
Introducing a Written List or Item
Colons can be used at the end of an introductory sentence to introduce a list. The first sentence has to be a complete sentence on its own, with only the list or items coming after the colon.
The zoo had many animals: elephants, giraffes, lions, and tigers.
The tigers had one thing on their mind: food.
When we say a sentence has to be complete before introducing a list, we mean that you can't have a colon separating the subject and verb from the object of the sentence. The subject, verb, and object must all appear before the colon.
Which of these sentences uses a colon correctly?
Tigers need: space, water, and food.
Tigers need space, water, and food.
To tell which sentence is correct, you need to identify the subject, verb, and object of each sentence. The verb here is 'need.' The subject appears before the verb, and the object appears after. This means that we can say the first sentence is incorrect as the object of the sentence ('space, water, and food') doesn't appear with the subject and verb before the colon.
Tigers need: space, water, and food.
Tigers need space, water, and food.
Introducing a Bullet Point or Numbered List
We can also use colons to introduce other types of lists, such as bullet points or numbered lists. This works similarly to the lists we've already discussed - you still need a full sentence with the subject, verb, and object before the colon.
There are lots of animals you could see on a safari trip:
- elephants
- giraffes
- rhinos
- jaguars
- leopards
- gazelles
Instead of bullet points, lists can also be numbered. A numbered list may be chosen over a bullet point list if the items have a particular order.
There are a few ingredients needed to bake a cake:
- butter
- sugar
- eggs
- flour
- vanilla extract
It makes sense to number a list like this as the cake ingredients are listed in the order they're used.
There is a particular format to follow when you use colons to introduce a long quote. You should provide an introductory sentence ending with a colon and leave a line space before inserting your quote.
When you do this, you don't need to use quotation marks (although you may want to indent the quote instead), as it's clear you're about to introduce a quote.
Throughout history, written language has always been viewed as being more prestigious, as shown by David Crystal (2006: 147):
The history of language study illustrates widely divergent attitudes concerning the relationship between writing and speech. For several centuries, the written language held a preeminent place. It was the medium of literature and, thus, a source of standards of linguistic excellence. It was felt to provide language with permanence and authority. The rules of grammar were, accordingly, illustrated exclusively from written texts.
Remember to reference quotes with the author, year, and page number (if applicable).
Colons Rules
Now we've gone through the different ways to use colons, let's recap some of the rules:
Colons must only be used after a complete sentence
Colons can be used to introduce a written list or item
Colons can be followed by a bullet point or numbered list
When introducing a list, the introductory sentence must contain a subject, verb, and object before the colon
Colons can be used to introduce a long quote
Colons can be used to connect two related sentences or clauses
Don't capitalize the first letter of the word following a colon unless you're introducing a long quote or a proper noun
Colons Examples
Let's recap the different uses of colons by looking at some examples.
Colon use | Examples |
| To introduce a related sentence or phrase | Origami takes a lot of patience: it takes time to be precise. |
| To introduce a list or item in a sentence | There's one thing that Charlie can't live without: chocolate.Fred only needed a few things from the shop: apples, grapes, and bananas. |
| To introduce a bullet point list | There are many different types of punctuation that can be used to make your writing interesting:- commas
- colons
- semicolons
- parenthesis
- dashes
|
| To introduce a numbered list | There are a few things you need to remember when performing live:- engage with your audience
- listen to your band mates carefully
- carry on even if something goes wrong
|
| To introduce a long quote | Rachel Joyce (2020: 14)2 uses short sentences in her writing to create a fast-paced narrative:"Margery's hand reached to the floor. It put down the teacup and was round the deputy's lacrosse boots before her head knew anything about it. They were large and black. Solid too. With thick ridges on the sole for extra grip. She got up." |
Colons vs. Commas
The use of colons and commas is often confused. Let's look at the main uses of each and the differences.
The uses for commas are:
In comparison, a colon is used to introduce lists and to connect two related sentences.
Let's look at some examples of the use of commas:
Using a comma to separate clauses or phrases:
Unfortunately for John, there were no tickets left for the gig by the time he got there.
Using a comma to separate items in a list:
Frankie wanted to use her day off to paint, sew, and bake.
So, what are some examples of correct and incorrect use of colons?
Separating clauses or phrases:
Birds are not mammals: they lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.
Birds are not mammals: because they lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.
Birds lay eggs, so they are not classified as mammals.
The second example incorrectly uses a colon as the conjunction 'because' turns the second clause into a subordinate one. This means that the colon should be removed to correct this sentence.
The first and third examples show where a colon and a comma should be used correctly.
Introducing lists:
Frankie wanted to paint, sew, and bake.
Frankie wanted to: paint, sew, and bake.
Frankie wanted to dedicate time to each of her hobbies: painting, sewing, and baking.
The use of the colon in the second example here is incorrect as the object of the sentence is not included before the colon. This sentence is instead correct when the colon is removed. The third example shows the correct use of a colon to introduce a list, as the subject, verb, and object all appear before the colon.
All three of these sentences show how commas are used to separate items within a list.
Colons vs. Semicolons
The use of colons also gets confused with the use of semicolons. There are two main ways in which colons and semicolons have similar uses.
The first is in the area of lists. A colon can be used to introduce a written list, while a semicolon can be used to separate longer items within a list.
Mark wants to visit a few different places on his trip to Europe: Pompeii, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Prague, Czech Republic; and Munich, Germany.
Here, the colon is used to introduce the list, and the semicolon is used to separate the items in the list because each item has its own internal punctuation.
The second way is when connecting two related sentences or phrases. A colon is used to connect the first statement to the following statement, adding information about the first. A semicolon can be used to join two connected ideas in a sentence or to connect two related sentences.
Using a colon:
A whale isn't a fish: it's a sea-dwelling mammal that gives birth to live young.
Using a semicolon:
A whale is a large sea-dwelling mammal; they're the giants of the sea.
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