Colon

Lesson 8: The Colon||
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The colon is a mark of punctuation used to introduce or call attention to the words that follow.


Use a colon after an independent clause(sentence) to direct attention to a list or a quotation.
EXAMPLE: A good immune system booster remedy should include the following: vitamin C, ethinacea, zinc, beta carotene, and ginger.
EXAMPLE: They passed a sundial with and inscription cut into it's granite: "Vision to See, Faith to believe, Courage to Do".


Use a colon to introduce a vertical list.
Place a colon after an introductory statement to a vertical list whether it is a sentence or not. You would not use a colon after a heading that introduces a vertical list.

EXAMPLE- These are the four stage of life:
-You believe in Santa.
-You don't believe in Santa.
-You are Santa.
-You look like Santa.
Note: We use a colon here because the introductory statement is a sentence.


EXAMPLE- You know you're living in the twenty-first-century when:
-You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
-You have five passwords, but you can only remember one.
-You email your buddy who works at the next desk to you.
Note: We use a colon here even though the introductory statement is not a complete sentence.


EXAMPLE- What it means to be over 60
-There is nothing left to learn the hard way.
-You can live without sex, but not without your glasses.
-You sing along with elevator music.
Note: We don't use colon here because the list is introduced by a heading or title.



Use a colon to amplify information.
EXAMPLE: His stand-up act had only one flaw: it wasn't funny.

NOTE!!! Don't use a colon after such as.
EXAMPLE: (INCORRECT)There is an alternative way to keep mosquitoes away such as: two drops of Lemon Joy liquid in a dish of water.