Colons: explaining or illustrating

Colons

Explaining or illustrating

Colon vs. Semicolon

COLON	SEMICOLON
Use a colon to join an independent clause to a word, phrase or clause with the idea that the second element is to explain or illustrate the idea of first clause.	Use a semicolon to relate the idea of one independent clause to another. No conjunction is used; the relationship is understood from the context. In some sentences, either a colon or a semicolon can be used.
He couldn't go home: he had no home. (with the meaning of "because" )	He couldn't go home; he had no place to go. (reason)
He always took the same taxi: a yellow cab with Internet access. (with the meaning of "that is" )	He took a taxi; she drove home. (addition)
He didn't want help: he hated pity.	He didn't want help; he didn't ask for it. (neg. addition)
He wanted to go late: there would be less traffic.	He wanted to go late; she wanted to go on time. (contrast)
She owned three cars: an electric car, a hybrid car and a conventional one.	She owned a car; she didn't know how to drive it. (contrary outcome)
She had to go: she could not bear to stay longer.	She had to go; she called a friend to drive her. (result)

(CMOS 6.63) (GREGG 189)

Introductory Phrases

Before a series of items in a list

Introductory Phrase or Clause Followed by Colon

WITHIN TEXT	SEPARATED FROM TEXT – BULLETED LIST
After an introductory sentence, place a colon before a list of items. Separate word or phrase items with a comma; separate longer phrase or clause items with a semicolon. Use an in-text list when the list is limited; or if wanting to keep the overall format of the document. (See Bulleted Lists.)	Introduce the list with an introductory phrase or clause and a colon. Optionally, omit articles (a, an, the) from the beginning of list items. (Also, note exception below using a period after the intro.) Make sure that each list item reads grammatically with the introductory phrase or clause. If a list has fewer than three items, use a sentence instead of a list.(CMOS 6.127- 6.130) (Gregg 189) (APA 3.04)
INTRODUCTORY "AS FOLLOWS" W/ WORDS OR SHORT PHRASES My duties at Tzonga were: planning, purchasing, organizing, and collecting. My duties at Tzonga were as follows: planning, purchasing, organizing, and collecting. My duties at Tzonga were, for example: planning, purchasing, organizing, and collecting. My duties at Tzonga were, namely: planning, purchasing, organizing, and collecting. *Our company rewards include: free laundry service. (One item is not a list-worthy!)	WORDS & SHORT PHRASES My duties at Tzonga included: (phrase) planning selecting organizing inviting overseeing cleaning up collecting )
INTRODUCTORY CLAUSE W/ LONGER PHRASES & CLAUSES Our responsibilities included a variety of tasks: planning fund-raising events biannually; hiring caterers, florists and greeters; selecting venues and speakers; emailing invitations; sending follow-up requests for donations. *Some questions are: How do you run? Why do you run? Where do you run? (The introductory sentence should form a complete sentence with the items in the list. However, since the items in the list are complete sentences, the introductory statement should also be worded to be a complete sentence.) The questions are these: How do you… Here are the questions: How do you…	LONGER PHRASES & CLAUSES Our responsibilities included a variety of tasks: (independent clause ) Fund-raising events were planned biannually Venues and speakers were selected for each event. Caterers, florists and greeters were hired to assist at events. Invitations were emailed to encourage donor attendance. Blind-auctions were used to raise additional money. Events were hosted to network potential donors. Donations were followed by thank-you letters.
The president said: "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." (Use a colon if the quote is independent, not part of the introductory statement.) The president said these unforgettable words: "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." (A colon is used after an independent clause of introduction.)

*Highlighted words or phrases are examples of incorrect usage.
Also see For example.

Time and Proportions

Relating parts of numbers

Time & Proportions

TIME — HOURS: MINUTES	PROPORTIONS — X PARTS: Y PARTS
Use a colon between the hour and minutes of a numerical time expression.	Use a period to separate two independent clauses into different sentences when the second clause is loosely (less) related to the previous clause, or it requires more emphasis.
We had to wake up 7:45 a.m.	To make a simple syrup, add sugar and water in a ratio of 2:1 (2 parts sugar: 1 part water)
They called at 3:00 AM !	Mix the insecticide with water in a ratio of 1:8. (1 part insecticide: 8 parts water)

Periods with Numbers.

Mail & Books

References

LETTERS & PARCELS	E-MAIL
Use colons to separate numbers used for reference with postal envelopes or parcels.	Use colons after reference lines in an email. Usually such labels are placed before a text entry box.
To Whom it May Concern: / Ladies and Gentlemen: / Dear Manager:	Subject: Dog Collar
Atten: Tom Tzonga (attention – redirect to this person)	Cc: Joe Doe / Bcc: Jane Doe
Re: Introducing a new product (regarding, reply)	Re: A new pet product / Fwd: Check this out
Enclosures: resume, references, check (items included with a letter or application)	To: / From: janedoe@att.com
PS: Don't forget the key. (post script)	http://www.URL.com
Bill to: / Ship to:	Date: 1/1/2012
Hicks. "Effectiveness of Screaming."The Journal of Hysteria 288.11 (2002): 1373-81. Print. (date-pages) Hitchcock, Alfred. Alfred Hitchcock's Ghostly Gallery . New York: Random House, 1962. Print. (after city in which published) Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. — Psalms 37:4 (chapter – verse)

Also see the use of colons in book, journal, and in-text citations Citing Sources .

Capitalization

After a colon

LOWERCASE	UPPERCASE
Use a lowercase letter after the colon if it is followed by a word or phrase, or clause that explains or illustrates.	Use an uppercase letter after the colon if the word is a proper noun, a sentence presented as a formal rule, or a series (list) of independent clauses.
WORD OR PHRASE Two things are required in the city: a good pair of shoes and an umbrella. Two things are required in the city: take a good pair of walking shoes and an umbrella.	PROPER NOUN, ADJECTIVE or I Two things are required in the city: Nikes and an umbrella. (proper noun – name of brand) Everyone has to take these courses: English, math, and statistics. (proper adjective) I want to be well-prepared for class: I read the textbook before the course begins.
	INTRODUCTIONS to RULES Let me say this: Healthcare should be available to everyone in the country. This is what you need to remember: The customer is always right. Remember: Turn off all lights before you leave the facility. Note: All sales are final.
	TWO OR MORE SENTENCES Two important ideas come to mind: First, the product must be easy to use. Second, the product must be sleek. (or Two important ideas come to mind: first, the product must be easy to use; second, the product must be sleek. )
	TESTIMONY, TRANSCRIPTS, DIALOG SMITH: When did you first meet Mr. Lee? JONES: It was on New Years Eve of last year. SMITH: Was it before or after midnight?

Also see Dashes.

Resources

AP Stylebook. The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law. 42nd ed. New York: Basic Books, 2007. Print. (325)
The Chicago Manual of Style. 15th edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003. Print. (6.63)
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed. NewYork: Modern Language Association of America. 2009. Print (3.2.4)
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th ed. Washington, D.C: American Psychological Association, 2010. Print. (4.05)
Sabin, William A., The Gregg Reference Manual:A manual of Style, Grammar, Usage, and Formatting. 11th ed. New York: McGraw–Hill, 2011. Print. (187-9)
Purdue, OWL http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

Practice 1

Returns and Refunds

Select the punctuation.

Select the response from the menu that best completes the sentence.
Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	CHECK YOUR ANSWER
1.	To return an item you have purchased in the last 30 days, you will need to submit three things the store receipt, the form with your reason for returning it, and the item.
2.	The item will need to be returned in saleable condition not worn, not soiled and with tags attached . saleable (adj.) – (business / commerce) good condition for selling or capable of being sold soiled (adj.) – dirty, unclean
3.	The law states " A consumer is entitled to full amount of purchase if the item is returned in good condition within the specified time stated on the sales receipt."
4.	Store policy states the following and swimsuits may not be returned. undergarments (n) – intimate clothing worn next to the body; underwear
5.	Ship 100 Main St., Los Angeles, CA. Returns Department, Floor 5

Practice 2

Rules for Returning an Item

Correct or Incorrect?

Read each sentence and decide if it is punctuated correctly. Select your response.
Read the feedback and compare your response to the answer.

#	SENTENCE	YOUR RESPONSE & FEEDBACK
6.	Stores need strict rules for making returns: consumers abuse them.	Correct Incorrect Feedback 6
7.	A store refund may be, for example: a cash refund, a store credit, or a gift card.	Correct Incorrect Feedback 7
8.	A store may charge a restocking fee: (1) If the item is removed from plastic wrapping, (2) If the box is torn, (3) If tags or labels have been removed from the item.	Correct Incorrect Feedback 8
9.	If a store's policy differs from the state-wide 7-day policy, then the store must: place a written notice about their policies, in language that consumers can understand, so that it can be easily seen and read.	Correct Incorrect Feedback 9
10.	California law is as follows: The policy must be displayed either at each entrance to the store, at each cash register and sales counter, on tags attached to each item, or on the company's order forms, if any.	Correct Incorrect Feedback 10

Practice 3

Crazy Customers

Is the sentence punctuated correctly?

Write your corrections for the sentence in the edit box.
Then compare your response to the answer with the "check" button.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	CHECK YOUR ANSWER
11.	Most customers occasionally have to return an item: a jacket too small, some socks too bright, a scarf from Aunt Martha, but some customers return things all the time. EDIT THIS: Most customers occasionally have to return an item: a jacket too small, some socks too bright, a scarf from Aunt Martha, but some customers return things all the time.
12.	Some customers, called "serial returners", are constantly returning something: they buy it, they wear it, they return it. EDIT THIS: Some customers, called "serial returners", are constantly returning something: they buy it, they wear it, they return it.
13.	One woman returned an evening dress with a number of telltale signs: Lipstick on the collar. De ode rant marks around the arms. The tag tucked inside the sleeve. (telltale – signs that reveal that something happened) EDIT THIS: One woman returned an evening dress with a number of telltale signs: Lipstick on the collar. De ode rant marks around the arms. The tag tucked inside the sleeve.
14.	I have something to say to these customers: "If you are going to wear it, don't return it!". EDIT THIS: I have something to say to these customers: "If you are going to wear it, don’t return it!".
15.	One woman came in and returned a dress because it didn't go with her makeup. I said: " You could change your makeup." EDIT THIS: One woman came in and returned a dress because it did’t go with her makeup. I said: "You could change your makeup."
16.	She was not amused: and she reported my comment to the manager. EDIT THIS: She was not amused: and she reported my comment to the manager.
17.	Lady: "She told me to change my makeup." Manager: "I see." Lady: "But then, I would have to change my face!" Manager: "Indeed." EDIT THIS: Lady: "She told me to change my makeup." Manager: "I see." Lady: "But then, I would have to change my face!" Manager: "Indeed."
18.	That lady did not return: she took her business elsewhere. EDIT THIS: That lady did not return: she took her business elsewhere.
19.	I have seen everything come to my Returns counter: used stockings, worn out shoes, unwanted gifts from last Christmas, and even a diamond ring that wasn't shiny enough. EDIT THIS : I have seen everything come to my Returns counter: used stockings, worn out shoes, unwanted gifts from last Christmas, and even a diamond ring that wasn't shiny enough.
20.	I can't wait until it is 6.30 p.m. and I can go home. EDIT THIS: I can't wait until it is 6.30 p.m. and I can go home.

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