The Colon

The colon (:) is a punctuation mark that you simply can't do without. You need to use it in all aspects of writing. However, it is not just a matter of using it; you must learn to use it correctly.

This punctuation mark is used in the following circumstances:

1. To introduce a segment of the sentence that elucidates or explains the one that comes before it
2. To introduce a list of items
3. To introduce a quotation or speech
4. In numbers that show proportion, time or literary reference
5. After the Salution in letters

Introducing explanatory statements

A colon is used to introduce a clause that explains the one that precedes it.

This happens when you want to elaborate on a statement just made either by an example or by an illustration. For example:

I don't like the behaviour of Maya: she licks her fingers while she eats.

Dolphines are clever animals: they can understand sign language.

University life is not easy: during exam periods, you can go for days on end with hardly any sleep.

And when you want to show that one thing is as the result of another, you can use a colon:

The chimpanzees were irritated by the noise: so they attacked the tourists.

Mary failed her exams: hence she became disillusioned.

The temperatures were below zero for several days: as a result, several people died.

Additionally, if you are shifting from introductory statement to concluding statement, you should use a comma.

The children are quite dull: we should send them to summer school

The economy is very bad: let's cut on our spending

To introduce a list of items

When introducing a list of items, you should use a colon:

The teacher demanded that we bring the following for the exam: a pen, a pencil, a ruler, a rubber, and a calculator.

Most people don't feel complete if they don't have any of the following: a cell-phone, a television set, a car, or a computer.

To Introduce a Quotation or speech

When you are introducing a quotation or speech, you should use a colon:

Shakespheare once said concerning love: "Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds."

The hefty man stooped forward and said: "Young man, you are too young to handle this kind of situation."

Malcolm felt he was the most unfortunate man on Earth, and to quote him: "I am the unluckiest man alive."

You may use a comma to introduce speech or quotation. However, a colon is more emphatic in this purpose. Whatever you decide to use, maintain that stlye throughout your writing.

In numbers that show proportion, time or literary reference

The colon is used in digital displays of time to separate the various time components from each other:

23:12:44

The above simply means that the time is Twenty three hours, and twelve minutes, and forty-four seconds.

In mathematics, the colon is used to show ratio or proportional relationship between quantities.

For example, we could say:

The 50 apples were shared in the ratio 2:1:4 among the three girls.

And this simply means that there were a total of seven shares, and so the apples were shared among the three girls in this manner:

2/7 of 50, 1/7 of 50, and 4/7 of 50

In literary Reference, the colon is used to separate and indicate the chapter and verse. People who use the Bible are very conversant with this. For example, instead of writing:

The Bible, at Psalm chapter 97 and verse 10, says: "O you lovers of Jehovah, hate what is bad..."

You can simply write:

The Bible, at Psalm 97:10, says: "O you lovers of Jehovah, hate what is bad..."

After the Salution in letters

In business letters, after the salutation, it is the common practice to put a colon:

Dear Sir or Madaam:

Dear Sir:

Dear Mr. Brown:

Else, a comma can be used.

Hey! Do you now know how to use the colon better? Good! Your writing keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?

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