- Use a colon to introduce the list items only if a complete sentence precedes the list.
- Use both opening and closing parentheses on the list item numbers or letters: (a) item, (b) item, etc.
How do you list things in writing?
- Use a colon to introduce the list items only if a complete sentence precedes the list. ...
- Use both opening and closing parentheses on the list item numbers or letters: (a) item, (b) item, etc.
- Use either regular Arabic numbers or lowercase letters within the parentheses, but use them consistently.
Do you use a colon when listing things?
To introduce a list. The problem is that not all lists need to be introduced by a colon. ... This means that no colon is needed and it would be incorrect to use one before the list. So if you have a list, remember you only use a colon before it if the list follows a clause that could be used on its own .
How do you list two things in a sentence?
- To help separate items in a list, when some of those items already contain commas. Let’s look at an example, as that is the easiest way to understand this use of the semicolon. ...
- To join two sentences.
How do you list more than 3 things in a sentence?
An Oxford Comma is a comma used before the last list item in a list of three or more items. When there are three or more list items, then those following “US convention” should use a comma (often called an Oxford Comma) with the conjunction (usually “and” or “or”).
What is a colon example?
A colon can be used to introduce a list. ... For example, “Here’s a list of groceries I need: a loaf of bread, a quart of milk, and a stick of butter .” The words preceding the colon stand as a complete, grammatically correct sentence.
What are some examples of semicolons?
Examples of Semicolons: Joan likes eggs; Jennifer does not. The cat slept through the storm ; the dog cowered under the bed. Semicolons are also used in a sentence when something stronger than a comma is needed.
How do you start a list?
- Use a colon to introduce the list items only if a complete sentence precedes the list. ...
- Use both opening and closing parentheses on the list item numbers or letters: (a) item, (b) item, etc.
- Use either regular Arabic numbers or lowercase letters within the parentheses, but use them consistently.
How do you list things in academic writing?
Use lowercase for the text of in-sentence lists items, except when regular capitalization rules require caps. Punctuate the in-sentence list items with commas if they are not complete sentences; with semicolons, if they are complete sentences. Use the same spacing for in-sentence lists as in regular non-list text.
How do you present a list?
- Write list items to have approximately similar line lengths. ...
- Use numbered lists only when the sequence or count of items are important. ...
- Use parallel sentence construction for list items. ...
- Avoid repeating the same word(s) at the beginning of each list item.
What are examples of items?
The definition of an item is an article, unit, a bit of news, or is slang for a piece of gossip. An example of an item is a carton of milk . An example of an item is two people who are a couple.
How do you use a colon in a sentence examples?
For instance, “I need to visit the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker.” A colon can be used to introduce a list—but you’ll still need commas to separate the items in the list. For example, Here’s a list of groceries I need: a loaf of bread, a quart of milk, and a stick of butter .
How do you use a colon in a sentence?
- To announce, introduce, or direct attention to a list, a noun or noun phrase, a quotation, or an example/explanation. ...
- To join sentences.
How do you write a colon in writing?
- The colon ( : ) and semicolon ( ; ) are frequently used incorrectly in place of each other. ...
- Emphasis—Capitalize the first word after the colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. ...
- Dialogue—Write the speaker’s name, followed by a colon and his or her statement.
