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When to use a colon (:)If you're looking to know when to use a colon then, by all means, read on. Colons are one of those punctuation items that I often see misused by students - if used at all - because we tend to stay away from using the things of which we aren't certain. When it comes to knowing when to use a colon, a little knowledge (as the old saying goes) will go a long way. First, I guess it's a good idea to know that the colon (like most items in English punctuation) comes to us from other languages. In this case, both Latin and Greek can lay claim to its origin. Therefore, the rules of usage are mostly agreed upon by the experts, to whom I certainly do not belong. :-) Generally, that which comes after a colon is meant to clarify, simplify, prove, or explain in more detail, that which comes before it. Depending on who the authority is; there are a few basic uses of the this particular punctuation item. WHEN TO USE A COLON In a dialog without quotation marks, a colon is used after the name of each speaker.
The above is typical of play, or screen writing when there is a lot of dialog to make it easier for the dialog to be read. Another usage of the colon is when there is a statement followed by a list of items.
One of the more common uses of the colon is in the separation of chapter and verse of religious works and epic poems. It can also be used to introduce a quotation as in the example below.
Another use is to separate a title and a subtitle. Sometimes, the when to use a colon is not always clear, however, it is often used when introducing a definition or the noting of a specific time.
For more information on punctuation or grammar items check out the other pages on this site. More material is soon to be posted. HOME
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