The next examples show how to use a colon to introduce a list:
There are three countries beginning with Z: Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The nightclub played many different types of music: rock, hip-hop, electronica, indie and even soul.
These following examples show how to use a colon just to introduce a single item:
The role of the colon is simple: to introduce.
We knew who would be first in the race: speedy Steve.
The next examples show how a colon can introduce speech:
She grabbed the microphone and asked: “Is there a doctor in the house?”
Kate whispered in my ear: “Haven’t you got a PhD?”
As Julius Caesar once said: “We came, we saw, we conquered.”
Further examples show the colon used to introduce an explanation:
He asked why I hadn’t said hello: I hadn’t seen him.
Don’t bother coming over anymore: I’m not feeling well enough to meet up.
Read more about how to use the colon.
Some terrific examples of how to use this sadly neglected punctuation mark. Bravo!
I love the examples on this site. So much better then the usual boring ones.
Really great examples. I understand the deffirence now.
difference not deference
I learnt a lot from this page. thanx
so good examples thanks
Examples are very comprehensible and effective: I really get it clear now. Thanks
Thank you. Helped me to help my kids. Good examples.
“Across all focus groups, the transitional ages of 16-25 constituted the majority of the conversation regarding age groups, with one exception: the parents-based focus group focused on middle school aged children ranging from 10 to 16 years the most.”
Would a colon or semicolon be more appropriate here? I don’t often see two large complete clauses separated by a colon, however, in this case the second clause is the ‘exception’.
How do you use a compound sentence ?
Can you post an example of using a colon with time in a sentence?
yes
you can use time in a sentence
Wow, it is clearly understood now, how to used this simple punctuation marks which include: colon and semicolon. Thanks so much for sharing this important lesson.
make an example with love in it
Can someone help me, please. I think I’m overthinking this.
1. It’s funny: he always hated when I called him my angel; I must’ve been pronouncing it wrong.
2. It’s funny; he always hated when I called him my angel. I must’ve been pronouncing it wrong.
3. It’s funny, he always hated when I called him my angel; I must’ve been pronouncing it wrong.
4. None of the above.
(I don’t want to use the word “incorrectly”)