Colons

A colon : introduces something that the first part of the sentence points to: a list, an explanation, or a single word or idea that you want to stand out. The words before a colon must make a complete sentence. You will need three things: a pen, a ruler and a rubber.

Key facts

  • A colon introduces a list. The words before it must be a complete sentence: We visited four countries: Egypt, Jordan, Oman and Kenya.
  • A colon can introduce an explanation or a reason: the second part explains the first. I couldn't sleep: the dog barked all night.
  • A colon can make a single word or idea stand out at the end of a sentence: There was only one way out: the window.
  • After a colon, carry on with a small letter (unless the word is a name or I).

Worked examples

Example 1

Add a colon: The recipe has three ingredients flour, eggs and milk.

  1. The recipe has three ingredients is a complete sentence.
  2. The list comes after it, so the colon goes there.

Answer: The recipe has three ingredients: flour, eggs and milk.

Example 2

Colon or semicolon? She was delighted ___ she had won first prize.

  1. Why was she delighted? Because she had won.
  2. The second part explains the first, so use a colon.

Answer: :

Example 3

Add a colon to introduce the explanation: The match was called off the pitch was flooded.

  1. Why was the match called off? Because the pitch was flooded.
  2. The second part explains the first, so a colon goes between them: The match was called off: the pitch was flooded.

Answer: The match was called off: the pitch was flooded.

Example 4

Add a colon: Bring three things a pencil, a ruler and a sharpener.

  1. Bring three things is complete on its own.
  2. A colon introduces the list that follows.

Answer: Bring three things: a pencil, a ruler and a sharpener.

Example 5

Which sentence uses the colon correctly? We need: eggs, milk and bread. or We need three things: eggs, milk and bread.

  1. The words before a colon must make a complete sentence.
  2. We need is not complete; We need three things is.

Answer: We need three things: eggs, milk and bread.

Example 6

Explain the effect of the colon: The verdict was clear: guilty.

  1. The colon promises that an explanation is coming.
  2. Placing one word after it gives that word full force.

Answer: it makes the reader pause before a single, dramatic word

Example 7

Rewrite with a colon so that the last word stands out: There was only one thing left to do and that was to run.

  1. A colon can point to a single word or idea, which makes it stand out.
  2. Cut the extra words and put the colon just before the key word: There was only one thing left to do: run.

Answer: There was only one thing left to do: run.

Example 8

Pick a colon or a semicolon for each gap: He had one fear ___ heights. She loves maths ___ her brother loves art.

  1. A colon introduces what the first part points to: one fear: heights.
  2. A semicolon balances two equal main clauses.

Answer: : then ;