Punctuation : Colon

Unlike its cousin-the semicolon, the Colon ( : ) is used more often in formal print, but not as frequently in daily writing. The Colon is a Punctuation mark that is used to precede a list of items, a quotation or an expansion or explanation. While a semicolon links two balanced statements, this punctuation mark flows conveniently from the first statement to the second. Usually, it links a general or introductory statement to an example, or a cause to an effect or a premise with a conclusion.

For Example, consider the following sentence:

• The tour operator said his package included: to and fro air fair, a complimentary drink on arrival, breakfast, evening snacks and dinner, hotel accommodation.

It is used sometimes to indicate more emphasis in indirect speech.

Example:

• The madman screamed: “I am not mad! The voice of God commanded me to slay.”

Besides, in American English, it is used in the initial greeting of a letter.

Example:

• Dear Mr. Randhawa:

However, in British or Indian English, a Comma is used:

• Dear Mr. Randhawa,

But by far, the most common use of a Colon is to indicate to the reader that a list of items follows:

Example:

• The schoolchildren were told to bring the following items for the picnic: a torch, a sleeping bag, two sets of night clothes, three panties/underwear, water bottle, three hankies and a lunch box.

There are other uses of a Colon too.

It is used to divide the title of the book from the subtitle.

Example:

• Communication: Oral Communication

It is used to make a difference between the hours and minutes when writing the time.

Example:

• Now the time is: 02: 25 pm

It is used in differentiating the chapter and verse in the Bible or The Bhagavad-Gita and other similar instances.

Example:

• Bible: The Book of Nehemiah

Colon is used to introduce a quotation.

Examples:

• Bacon says: “Reading makes full man, writing an exact man, speaking a ready man”

Before enumeration :

Examples:

• The principle parts of English are: present tense, past tense and past participle.

• The three students who came to the seminar are: Clinton, Bush and Maud.

Between sentences grammatically independent but closely connected in sense:

Examples:

• Study to acquire the habit of thinking: No study is more important.

Punctuation Index

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