Colon examples

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 CaesarĀ 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.

Help us improve punctuation by sharing this guide!

15 thoughts on “Colon examples

  1. “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’.

  2. 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.

  3. 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”)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help us prevent spam * Time limit is exhausted. Please reload CAPTCHA.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.