Lesson Objectives 1 You will learn to use

Lesson Objectives 1. You will learn to use a colon accurately in sentences. 2. You will reviews both grammatical and stylistic reasons for choosing colons.

Colon Developed by Ivan Seneviratne

What is a colon? A punctuation mark represented by two equal sized dots centered on the same vertical line. Always remember to space twice after a colon that is used as a punctuation mark. colon

What a colon means? You might be surprised to learn that the colon is one of the most helpful and easiest to use of all the punctuation marks. The colon comes at a point in the sentence where the sentence could come to a complete stop. It communicates expectation or signals a reader to look for additional clarifying information.

How to use? 1. Use a colon after a complete statement in order to introduce a series or a list. Remember to space twice. Example: The following vegetables should be planted in March: radishes, carrots, leeks, turnips, and cabbage. The daily newspaper contains four sections: news, sports, entertainment, and classified ads.

How to use? 2. Use a colon to join two independent clauses when the second amplifies or interprets the first. Remember to space twice. Example: Yesterday was sunny and warm: however, today is rainy and cool.

How to use? 3. Use a colon to indicate a time reference between the hour and minutes in time notation. Do not space after a colon used with figures. Example: I awoke at 6: 00 a. m.

How to use? 4. Use a colon to indicate options in a tabular form. Example: The company expects employees to be: A. loyal B. honest C. punctual

How to use? 5. A colon can be used in place of a comma to indicate a quotation. Remember to space twice. Example: The manager made the following surprising announcement: “Due to superior profits this month, all workers may leave work at noon today”.

How to use? 6. Use a colon to indicate the participants in a dialogue, eg. a transcript of an interview or script for a play. Space only once after the colon. Example: Mariza: Can you tell me where to find the Learning Connection please? Wally: Sure! It’s in the Empire Building, just up these stairs on the left. Mariza: Thanks. Wally: No worries.

How to use? 7. Use a colon after the greeting in a business letter. Example: Dear Sir or Madam: