The hard and fast rule is that a colon must ALWAYS follow a complete sentence . Do not use a colon after a sentence fragment, ever. A colon is used after a full sentence or independent clause to introduce something that illustrates, clarifies, or amplifies what was said in the sentence that preceded the colon.
Can you use a semicolon with an incomplete sentence?
Note: A semicolon cannot be used in front of words such as therefore and however, if they form a dependant clause or an incomplete sentence. Examples where a semicolon should not be used: I would, therefore, like to go home.
Does a complete sentence have to follow a colon?
The hard and fast rule is that a colon must ALWAYS follow a complete sentence . Do not use a colon after a sentence fragment, ever. A colon is used after a full sentence or independent clause to introduce something that illustrates, clarifies, or amplifies what was said in the sentence that preceded the colon.
What are the three rules for using a colon?
- What Is a Colon? ...
- Rule 1: Use a Colon to Introduce an Item or List. ...
- Rule 2: Use Colons Between Two Sentences. ...
- Rule 3: Use a Colon to Introduce a Bulleted or Numbered List. ...
- Rule 4: Use a Colon to Introduce Extended Quotations. ...
- Rule 5: Use a Colon Following a Greeting. ...
- How To Use a Colon Correctly.
When should you not use a colon?
Do not use a colon in a complete sentence after phrases such as “such as,” “including,” and “for example .” Because phrases like these already indicate to the reader that a list of examples will follow, there is no need to introduce them with a colon, which would merely be redundant.
When should a colon be used examples?
- To announce, introduce, or direct attention to a list, a noun or noun phrase, a quotation, or an example/explanation. You can use a colon to draw attention to many things in your writing. ...
- To join sentences. ...
- To express time, in titles, and as part of other writing conventions.
Can you use a colon and semicolon in the same sentence?
Colons and semicolons can be used in the same sentence , but they are each used for different purposes. ... In this example, the colon is used to introduce the cities. Semicolons are used to separate each city and state from the next city and state in the list.
When to use a colon or a semicolon?
Colons introduce or define something. The primary use of semicolons is to join two main clauses . The difference between semicolons and colons is that colons can combine two independent clauses, but their primary use is to join independent clauses with a list or a noun.
What Does a colon do in grammar?
Colons are punctuation marks used to signal when what comes next is directly related to the previous sentence . They are used after complete sentences. It is especially important to remember that a colon is not used after a sentence fragment.
What can I use instead of a colon?
(3) The special conditions requiring a colon are absent. Here is a famous example: It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. A semicolon can always, in principle, be replaced either by a full stop (yielding two separate sentences) or by the word and (possibly preceded by a joining comma).
Can you use a colon after one word?
The colon can also emphasize a single word: “ Just one word of advice for you , Benji: plastics.” Sometimes, writers will use a colon where they don’t need to.
Can you end a paragraph with a colon?
The colon can be used to emphasize a phrase or single word at the end of a sentence.
Where should a colon be placed in a sentence?
A colon is used after a full sentence or independent clause to introduce something that illustrates, clarifies, or amplifies what was said in the sentence that preceded the colon.
Can you use a colon in the middle of a sentence?
You can use a colon to connect two sentences when the second sentence summarizes, sharpens, or explains the first. Both sentences should be complete, and their content should be very closely related. Note that if you use colons this way too often, it can break up the flow of your writing.
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.
Can a colon come after a semicolon?
This may leave you wondering if you should use a colon or a semicolon to connect two independent clauses. Here’s a good rule of thumb. If the two clauses are merely related, not necessarily sequential in thought, use a semicolon. However, if the two related clauses follow a sequence of thought, use a colon .
