When do you use a colon in a sentence?
2 Answers
May 30, 2018
- Use colons after complete sentences
- Use colons to format lists
May 30, 2018
To introduce a list or something important.
Explanation:
A colon's purpose is to introduce a list or a noun/action of interest. A good rule of thumb I've developed is that a colon can be replaced with a phrase like "and that is, [the thing]>" or "and those are [the list]".
Examples:
"He only had one chore left to do: feed the dog."
"He only had one chore left to do, and that was (to) feed the dog."
or
"There are 10 types of people in the world: those who know binary, and those who don't."
"There are 10 types of people in the world, and they are those who know binary, and those who don't."
