Colons

Colons :



Colons with lists

Use a colon before a list.

For example :

Jagruti has all the ingredients : tomatoes, boiled potatoes, and sliced onions.

Colons before quotations

Colons introduce quotations that are formal or lengthy.

For example :

Dickens wrote: ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.’ (Formal quotation)

Colons introduce quotations that do not begin with a ‘he said/she said’ clause.

For example :

Aanva took the microphone : “Your honour, I object.’ (Clause preceding quotation does not have a verb which denotes speaking.)

In all cases, the colon precedes the quotation marks.

Colons in special cases

There are half a dozen special uses for the colon.

Numerical expressions of time

For example :

5:31 p.m.

The colon goes between the hour and minute. If seconds are noted, a colon goes between the minute and second.

For example :

He ran the marathon in 2:14:33.2. (Two hours, fourteen minutes, and thirty-three point turn seconds)

He ran a mile in 4:12. (Four minutes and twelve seconds)

Periodical references in a bibliography or formal reference

This may vary slightly depending on the form followed. Most frequently the reference is Volume : Issue Number or Volume : Page Number.

Bible references, Chapter : Verse.

For example :

John, 3:16 (The book of John, chapter 3, verse 16)

Subtitles for books, periodicals, and articles are preceded by a colon.

For example :

Ben-Hur : A Tale of Christ

Insert the colons at appropriate places.

1. On our farm we grow three crops wheat, sugarcane and rice.

2. In the bag were the following scissors, a hairbrush and her address book.

3. I’ve been to four continents Africa, North America, South America and Asia.

4. My friends think I’m funny I always make a fool of myself with them.

5. To Whom It May Concern.

6. I love healthy foods nuts, fruits, and vegetables.

7. Jayant had to answer the question should he say yes or no?

8. The ingredients are as follows salt, pepper, popcorn and raw vegetables.

9. There is one place I go every Sunday the library.

10. Don’t forget the number one class rule raise your hand.

Colons

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