A colon means "that is to say" or "here's what I mean." Colons and semicolons should never be used interchangeably.
Rule 1a. Use a colon to introduce an item or a series of items. Do
not capitalize the first item after the colon (unless it's a proper noun).
Examples:
You know what to do: practice.
You may be required to bring many things: sleeping bags, pans, utensils, and
warm clothing.
I want the following items: butter, sugar, and flour.
I need an assistant who can do the following: input data, write reports, and
complete tax forms.
Rule 1b. A capital letter generally does not introduce a word,
phrase, or incomplete sentence following a colon.
Examples:
He got what he worked for: a promotion
He got what he worked for: a promotion that paid a higher wage.
Rule 2. Avoid using a colon before a list if it directly follows a
verb or preposition that would ordinarily need no punctuation in that sentence.
Not recommended: I want: butter, sugar, and flour.
Recommended: I want butter, sugar, and flour.
OR
Here is what I want: butter, sugar, and flour.
Not recommended: I've seen the greats, including: Barrymore, Guinness,
and Streep.
Recommended: I've seen the greats, including Barrymore,
Guinness, and Streep.
Rule 3. When listing items one by one, one
per line, following a colon, capitalization and ending punctuation are optional
when using single words or phrases preceded by letters, numbers, or bullet
points. If each point is a complete sentence, capitalize the first word and end
the sentence with appropriate ending punctuation. Otherwise, there are no hard
and fast rules, except be consistent.
Examples:
I want an assistant who can do the following:
a.
input data
b.
write
reports
c.
complete tax
forms
The
following are requested:
·
Wool
sweaters for possible cold weather.
·
Wet suits
for snorkeling.
·
Introductions
to the local dignitaries.
These are
the pool rules:
1.
Do not run.
2.
If you see
unsafe behavior, report it to the lifeguard.
3.
Did you
remember your towel?
4.
Have fun!
Rule 4. A colon instead of a semicolon may
be used between independent clauses when the second sentence explains,
illustrates, paraphrases, or expands on the first sentence.
Example: He got what he worked for: he
really earned that promotion.
If a
complete sentence follows a colon, as in the previous example, authorities are
divided over whether to capitalize the first word. Some writers and editors
feel that capitalizing a complete sentence after a colon is always advisable.
Others advise against it. Still others regard it as a judgment call: If what
follows the colon is closely related to what precedes it, there is no need for
a capital. But if what follows is a general or formal statement, many writers
and editors capitalize the first word.
Example: Remember the old saying: Be
careful what you wish for.
Rule 5. Capitalize the first word of a
complete or full-sentence quotation that follows a colon.
Example: The host made an announcement:
"You are all staying for dinner."
Rule 6. Capitalize the first word after a
colon if the information following the colon requires two or more complete
sentences.
Example: Dad gave us these rules to live by:
Work hard. Be honest. Always show up on time.
Rule 7. If a quotation contains two or more
sentences, many writers and editors introduce it with a colon rather than a
comma.
Example: Dad often said to me: "Work
hard. Be honest. Always show up on time."
Rule 8. For extended quotations introduced
by a colon, some style manuals say to indent one-half inch on both the left and
right margins; others say to indent only on the left margin. Quotation marks
are not used.
Example: The author of Touched, Jane
Straus, wrote in the first chapter:
Georgia went back to her bed and
stared at the intricate patterns of burned moth wings in the translucent glass
of the overhead light. Her father was in "hyper mode" again where
nothing could calm him down.
Rule 9. Use a colon rather than a comma to
follow the salutation in a business letter, even when addressing someone by his
or her first name. (Never use a semicolon after a salutation.) A comma is used
after the salutation in more informal correspondence.
Examples:
Dear Ms. Rodriguez:
Dear Dave,
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