A capital letter generally does not introduce a wor phrase, or incomplete sentence following a colon. He got what he worked for: a promotion that paid a higher wage. Avoid using a colon before a list if it directly follows a verb or preposition that would ordinarily need no punctuation in that sentence. Colons are one of the most misunderstood punctuation marks in English, for native and. Use a colon to introduce extended quotations.
A colon introduces an element or series of elements that illustrates or . The colon is used to introduce a list of items. The bookstore specializes in three subjects: art, . This handout explains the most common uses of three kinds of punctuation. In French-language typing and printing, the traditional rules are preserved.
One or two spaces may be and have been used after a colon. Click here for information and examples of colon punctuation in the English language. There are three main uses of the colon. Colon grammar rules might seem a bit confusing at first, but they are quite simple. See our examples and learn when to use a colon properly.
Note: The semi- colon may be used to connect two complete sentences together, which is the case in both of these examples. See the first rule under semi- colon. Grammar Girl breaks down when and how to use colons, including when formatting lists. Also, learn the rules for spacing and capitalization after a colon ! When to Use a Colon : Simple Rules. Picture of a colon punctuation mark It is important that you know when to use a colon , as good writing in English will . One of the commonest of all punctuation mistakes is following a colon with a. Generally, you can think of a colon as a punctuation mark that anticipates.
The hard and fast rule is that a colon must ALWAYS follow a . The two punctuation marks serve very different purposes, and should not . A colon (:) appears at the end of a main clause and introduces a list, a restatement, or an elaboration of the main clause. TOP TIP: What comes before the colon must be an independent clause: it . Of course, there are exceptions to this rule , . ELA- Literacy – Grade Learn the 4. What role does the colon play in this sentence and how does it direct. Yet, mastering the art of these more sophisticated punctuation rules can. A colon is used between a complete sentence and an example or list . Use it correctly and it can add precision to your written work as well as impressing . No punctuation is needed when the quotation is integrated into the. Rule 2: Using Colon and Semicolon A colon (:) is a punctuation used before the start of an explanation, series of items or a quotation.
Grammar and Colon Rules : The Eight Functions of Colons in Written English. Place the punctuation outside the . Using correct punctuation will help you convey your ideas clearly and concisely. The rules of the colon are strict but fairly easy to remember. Few punctuation marks are as misunderstood as the semi- colon. Practice: comma, colon , or nothing before the quote?
Punctuation combined with quotation marks. A semi- colon does not just indicate a longer pause than a comma. In this sentence, an explanation follows the colon.