return to standard view
Print
Table of Contents | Reference Texts | Workbook: Lessons & Exercises

English
Guidelines for Using Colons

  • Use a colon after an independent clause that introduces a formal list of items; eg., The employees who are eligible for medical benefits are the following:  Selena Waters, Joey Bush, and Francis Baker.
  • Do not use a colon when the list immediately follows a to be verb or a preposition; The employees who are eligible for medical benefits are Selena Waters, Joey Bush, and Francis Baker.
  • Use a colon to introduce long one-sentence quotations and quotations of two or more sentences; eg., The golf professional advised:  “Keep your eye on the ball at all times.  In addition, follow through on your swing.”
  • Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter; eg., Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

 

next next