Questions tagged [colon]
Questions related to the use of the colon (":") in English.
226
questions
34
votes
5
answers
787k
views
Punctuation for the phrase "including but not limited to"
When using the phrase "including but not limited to", how should it be punctuated?
When used in the following (no punctuation):
There are many activities including but not limited to ...
- 443
32
votes
5
answers
42k
views
Is it proper to use a colon followed immediately by a hyphen?
I have seen some writing where people have a list or a figure in writing and they will write something like this:
The information is provided in Image
3:-
Is that correct? Is this a British ...
- 763
26
votes
4
answers
68k
views
Punctuation after "P.S."
Somewhere in the craggy quagmire of my memory, I seem to recall that the nuns of my grade school days taught me that a P.S. (post script) is followed by a colon, i.e. P.S.:
Alas, the periods after ...
25
votes
5
answers
55k
views
Sentences ending with both a colon and a question mark
How should sentences that end with both a colon and a question mark be formed? Two examples are below, both questions, but one in which the colon presents a piece of information and the other in which ...
- 2,275
21
votes
5
answers
30k
views
Spaces around a colon
In a recent test, I fixed a feature and I was given the document back because it was pointed out the following was not correct.
Name: Sandy Corporation
I was asked to do this
Name : Sandy ...
- 387
20
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Should the first word after a colon be capitalized?
Should the first word after a colon be capitalized? Which of the following is correct?
For example: This.
For example: this.
- 1,925
16
votes
5
answers
81k
views
What is the correct punctuation after "as follows"?
I am consistently confused by by the usage of "as follows", in particular, I don't know if I should end "as follows" with a period, or with a colon.
Should I always use a colon, or ...
- 149
15
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What is the difference between using a colon and a semi-colon to join two sentences?
I've seen a few questions on this site relating to semi-colons, which I believe I correctly understand, but what I'm not as clear about is colons. For example:
The man ate the apple; it tasted ...
- 652
11
votes
3
answers
557
views
Does this sentence make proper use of the semicolon and colon?
I have the following sentence:
Relationships once so convoluted and
beyond me were now clear: Pain became
love; betrayal, loyalty; nonchalance,
care.
What I'm trying to accomplish is list ...
- 879
11
votes
2
answers
18k
views
Can I use two colons in a sentence?
Can I use two colons in a sentence? A typical example would be something like the following:
Note: I have substantial experience with the following languages: Python, Java, C++, and Perl.
I have ...
- 35.5k
9
votes
7
answers
13k
views
Colons after a single word (e.g. "Example:")
Everywhere I look, I seem to be finding examples of colons being used after a single word.
"Examples:
The dog is brown.
The cat is white."
"Recommended: Take this twice a week.
Not recommended: ...
- 109
9
votes
2
answers
33k
views
Period or colon? [closed]
Say, I have the following sentence: "The Gaussian Sobolev spaces are as expected defined as follows" and then you do a definition environment after. The question is: how do you end "as follows"? With ...
- 783
8
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Why ; is called semicolon and what is its history? [closed]
Semi- is a Latin prefix meaning "half" and colon is another punctuation.
Should I therefore say that semicolon is a halved colon?
- 151
7
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Understanding appositives and the use of the m-dash ( — )
My understanding of a dash is that it sets off a lengthy appositive, but can also be used to introduce a summary. Consider the following passage from Stephan Jay Gould:
If evolution worked ...
- 511
7
votes
1
answer
566
views
Using "?:" after a question
I find myself using the dual punctuation marks "?:" when I want to say "I have a question about the thing that follows". For example:
Is it possible for the following sentence to be translated into ...
- 331
6
votes
2
answers
686
views
Usage of colon in English writing
It seems colons are used more restrictively in English than in my native language (German), so I'm having a bit of trouble with it.
Do you think the use of the colon in the following sentences is ...
- 271
6
votes
1
answer
6k
views
A colon after "following"
When I reference to the next sentence or sentences using the term following, is the preferred way to use a colon or a full stop?
An example:
Consider the sentence 'I wash the clothes'. Replacing ...
- 531
5
votes
2
answers
17k
views
Colon use when introducing a list split across sentences
I understand that a colon should be used to introduce a list:
We required three ingredients: eggs, milk and butter.
However, what happens if there is a full stop between list elements?
We ...
- 245
5
votes
1
answer
708
views
Confusion between colon and dash
For example, take a look at the following sentence:
There’s nothing to see — no one can handle you, dear.
What are the general guidelines?
- 11.1k
5
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Are em dashes acceptable in lists?
I often see lists written as follows (using em dashes to elaborate a list item):
Item 1—explanation for item 1
Item 2—explanation for item 2
Is this generally correct, or are colons preferable?
- 161
4
votes
2
answers
5k
views
What are the rules on when to use commas, colons, semicolons and dashes?
What are the rules on when to use commas, colons, semicolons and dashes?
4
votes
3
answers
10k
views
Punctuation to introduce a list: comma vs. colon vs. nothing
Which of these sentences is written correctly?
Angela has three brothers, Mark, Adam, and Ryan.
Angela has three brothers: Mark, Adam, and Ryan.
Angela has three brothers Mark, Adam, and ...
user7362
4
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Colon usage in English
I have always thought that colons were used to clarify, expand, provide evidence for the preceding sentence, or show an example. I have heard that this is not true. (Truly, it is a shame if it is so: ...
- 6,051
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Proper punctuation of “John’s last words were ‘———’ ” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How should I punctuate around quotes?
When attributing a quote to someone, you put a comma before the quote:
John said, "———"
But is the comma still used in the following ...
- 151
4
votes
4
answers
30k
views
What is a correct punctuation for a sentence starting with "One more thing"?
In the following sentence what would be the correct punctuation
One more thing don't tell anyone about our conversation.
Should "One more thing" be separated by comma, dash or colon? Or perhaps ...
- 143
4
votes
1
answer
7k
views
A trail of colons
I find I often, when writing, want to string colons together. Here is a recent example:
These two moments would be likely candidates for retelling: they both connect the people of San Andrés Tuxtla ...
- 4,861
4
votes
1
answer
530
views
Can a colon split a verb and the rest of the predicate? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Punctuation to introduce a list: comma vs. colon vs. nothing
Is this use of a colon incorrect?
I wrote an application whose features
included: doing this, doing that, and
...
- 511
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Punctuation following an interruption with a dash
I am not sure what the correct punctuation to use when ending a clause that was introduced with a dash when the next character in the main sentence is a punctuation mark.
Take the following contrived ...
- 645
3
votes
1
answer
626
views
Semi-colon or colon?
I'm writing a descriptive piece, and can't figure out whether this is grammatically correct, or whether I ought to place a semi-colon between "entry" and "crooked":
"As I walked in using the cobbled ...
- 33
3
votes
3
answers
508
views
Rule of punctuation when a principal sentence is followed by two or more subordinate sentences
I put below a text I found in a written reply I came across:
"...in the Audit Report, it is stated that we did not rebut the Draft Audit Report (DAR). The actual fact is otherwise: we had prepared ...
- 2,400
3
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Should a colon be used after "for example"?
I am having difficulty deciding when a colon should be used in a sentence. I have a specific example that I was unable to resolve via browsing the web
The research centre will use confidence ...
- 147
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Colon between "that is" and formal definition
Is it appropriate to use "that is" followed by a colon when defining something formally? I have the following example:
Let γ be the set of groups that hold variables accessed by C, that is:
...
- 245
3
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Can I use a colon twice in one sentence?
Can I use a colon twice in a sentence? For example, I would like to punctuate the following sentence as shown:
These are hugely important factors for S. Oliver Canada as we’re dealing with a brand: ...
- 31
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
punctuation if dash introduces question-sentences
He worried--why X; what will happen if Y?
It seems that this construction expresses the idea best, but it creates a few punctuation questions.
Should the first semicolon be question-mark? Is there ...
- 970
3
votes
1
answer
409
views
Correct colon and semi-colon usage?
I thought of this while walking and wanted to write it down. I would like to know if I am using punctuation correctly in this sentence-- particularly the use of the colon and semi-colon. And please ...
- 33
3
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What punctuation should follow after a list introduced by a colon?
The whole department: John, Jeff, Jean, and the accountant [?] were thrown into jail.
- 454
3
votes
2
answers
578
views
What is the best way to punctuate titles that have subtitles with subtitles?
I am going through a few movies and I see Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions. Are that many colons appropriate? I am inclined to use em-dashes for the next subtitle, leading to Pokémon: Zoroark — ...
- 31
3
votes
2
answers
355
views
The use of colon in the sentence
I have a hard time understanding the use of the colon in the following sentence:
Marriage is like a supermarket: easy to get into but hard to get out of.
Is the part after the colon a list of two ...
- 657
2
votes
5
answers
613
views
Should there be a comma or a colon here?
His latest album is Foo featuring his band, Bar.
His latest album is Foo featuring his band: Bar.
Which is the more appropriate way to punctuate the sentence?
- 2,187
2
votes
4
answers
5k
views
What to do about multiple sentences following a colon?
For example:
It happened only a handful of times in my lifetime: once when I went to the store. It just had to be done. There was no choice. Another when heading to the beach in 2013...
Should I ...
- 381
2
votes
1
answer
519
views
Interchangeability of "—" (dash) and ":" (colon)
Let me cite two examples, one using "—" (dash) and the other using ":" (colon):
John has three sisters — Sita, Mita and Rita.
John has three sisters: Sita, Mita and Rita.
...
- 2,400
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Using a "colon" after "is" or "this"
I've seen this a few times now and it confuses me, especially when my editor does it. According to the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, a colon can only be used where a period could. In other ...
- 21
2
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Can you use a colon to introduce just a single item instead of a list?
Colons are usually used to introduce a list of some kind after an independent clause; however, would it work for a single item? For example, can you write
For 3 years, I ate hamburgers: my friend's ...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Can the colon introduce only two objects? [closed]
"Here are two choices: pizza and hot dogs."
Would that be correct, or can the colon only introduce three or more objects?
- 29
2
votes
1
answer
242
views
Colon after 'Destination'
in a novel, if I write this at the start of chapter:
Destination: New York.
Destination New York.
Should I use the colon or not?
- 839
2
votes
1
answer
40
views
"It is the god-given given that must be accepted because it cannot be changed." vs a colon
Is the difference purely stylistic, or is there a slight change of meaning in using one form of over the other?
"It is the god-given given that must be accepted because it cannot be changed," as ...
user99676
2
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Using colon at end of a list
Although I do not know the name of the rule, I do understand that a colon is typically used to elaborate on a single thought or idea. For example:
"I love all types of burritos: Californian, Mexican,...
2
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Em-dash vs colon: "Remind me: what's your name again?" or "Remind me—what's your name again?"
I have a sentence (and other sentences like it) in which I'm not sure what punctuation to use.
Remind me—what's your name again?
Remind me: what's your name again?
Or is there something else ...
- 274
2
votes
1
answer
32k
views
Should I use a semicolon or a colon to introduce a question at the end of a sentence? [duplicate]
Which of the following is punctuated correctly?
My question for you is: how do I do that?
My question for you is; how do I do that?
Or should it be something different altogether?
- 29
2
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Do you need a colon after by? [closed]
I am organizing a school magazine and on each photo we must put the name. I was wondering when you write the word by, do you need the colon after it?
Example:
Photo
By: Jane Doe
By Jane ...
- 21