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Colons: Not as Hard as You Thought

Below are listed several of the ways that you can use a colon.

1. The colon may be used to explain the phrase that it follows.

      Ex. He was a mean man, but for a good reason: the protection of his identity.

Notice how the phrase after the colon explains what the "good reason" is.

2. The colon may be used to draw attention to a series or list.

      Ex. There were three kinds of people that Hamlet didn't like: liars, thieves, and
      murderers.

Notice how the sentence before the colon can stand alone without the information stated after the colon. In a list sentence, you must have a thought that makes sense by itself in front of the colon. Below is an example of a misplaced colon.

      Ex. Three kinds of people that Hamlet didn't like were: liars, thieves, and murderers.

This colon isn't needed because the phrase before the colon wouldn't make any sense if it was alone.

3. The colon may be used to direct attention to a quotation.

      Ex. The great philosopher, Paul Marquez, coined a proverb that is relevant to
      today's society: "Before one offers to clean his neighbor's house, he must first
      clean his own."

A complete thought is necessary before the colon in this instance as well.

4. The colon can be used to separate figures in time references.

      Ex. At 3:15 he came home.

When used with time, the colon separates the hours from the minutes.

5. The colon can be used to separate figures in biblical references.

      Ex. The quote was from Ephesians 2:8.

When used with scripture, the colon separates the chapter from the verse. One may also use a period in place of the colon for scriptural references.

Adapted from:
Hodges, John C., et al. Harbrace College Handbook . San Diego: Harcourt
Brace Jovanovich, 1990.

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