{"id":64,"date":"2019-12-07T11:35:58","date_gmt":"2019-12-07T11:35:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/coreqenglish1\/chapter\/colons-the-signposts\/"},"modified":"2025-02-03T21:18:32","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T21:18:32","slug":"colons-the-signposts","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/chapter\/colons-the-signposts\/","title":{"raw":"Colons: The Signposts","rendered":"Colons: The Signposts"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Demonstrate the standard uses of colons<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2690\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"262\"]<img class=\"wp-image-2690 \" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4975\/2019\/12\/30225905\/eric-deschaintre-xtnUQQwwnXA-unsplash-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"Road sign with animals that says &quot;slow!&quot;.\" width=\"262\" height=\"174\" \/> <strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. This road sign warns drivers to pay attention to wildlife as they continue on. Colons similarly remind the reader to pay attention to what they will read next.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe colon is like a sign on the highway, announcing that something important is coming. It acts as an arrow pointing forward, telling you to read on for important information. A common analogy used to explain the colon is that it acts as a flare in the road, signaling that something meaningful lies ahead.\r\n\r\nThe colon is not just used to introduce a list; it is far more flexible. The colon can appear after the first word(s) of a sentence, just before the final word(s) of a sentence, or even between two independent clauses. It can be used to provide emphasis, to explain, or to summarize. Thus, it is one of the most powerful punctuation marks.\r\n<h2>Using Colons<\/h2>\r\nUse the colon when you wish to provide emphasis.\r\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\r\n<h3>Examples: Colons for Emphasis<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>To address this problem, we must turn to one of the biologist\u2019s most basic\u00a0tools: the petri dish.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>My grandfather, a\u00a0research scientist, gave me some critical\u00a0advice about petri dishes: don\u2019t drop them.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\nUse the colon to introduce material that explains or summarizes what has preceded it.\r\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\r\n<h3>Examples: Colons for Explanations and Summaries<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>The petri dish: one of the biologist\u2019s most basic\u00a0tools.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>In low-carbon steels, banding tends to affect two properties in particular: tensile ductility and yield strength.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The research is conclusive: global warming is really happening.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<strong>Use the colon to present a list or series, particularly when there is a lot of similar material to join or when the items in the list include commas.\u00a0<\/strong>When you are using a colon in this way, the colon usually gives the idea of \u201cas follows\u201d or \u201cwhich is\/are.\u201d\r\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\r\n<h3>Examples: Colons for Lists<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A compost facility may not be located in the following areas: within 300 feet of an exceptional-value wetland, within 100 feet of a perennial stream, or within 50 feet of a property line.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A backyard compost pile can process many items: fruit and vegetable scraps; crushed egg shells; spoiled soy, rice, almond, or coconut milk; loose leaf tea.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><strong>PRO TIP:<\/strong> Be careful! Do not include a colon after words like \u201cfor example\u201d or just because you have a list.<\/div>\r\n<h3>Correct Use of Colons<\/h3>\r\nTo ensure you are using a colon correctly, check to see if you could substitute a period for your colon. If not, your colon is not correct.\r\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\r\n<h3>Examples<\/h3>\r\n<strong>Example 1: <\/strong>The three primary colors are: red, blue, and yellow. (The colon is not necessary to introduce this list because the first part of the sentence is grammatically incomplete without including the colors.)\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>This sentence is incorrect:<\/strong> \u201cThe three primary colors are\u201d is not a sentence.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Example 2:<\/strong> I am going to the store to buy groceries: milk, bread, and cheese.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>This sentence is correct:<\/strong> \"I am going to the store to buy groceries\" works as a standalone sentence.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\nYou may use a colon with \u201cas follows\u201d or \u201cthe following.\u201d\r\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\r\n<h3>Examples<\/h3>\r\n<strong>Example 1:<\/strong>\u00a0I am going to clean my apartment as follows: first, I\u2019m going to dust; then, I\u2019m going to vacuum; and finally, I\u2019m going to make a mess all over again.\r\n\r\n<strong>Example 2:<\/strong> College success requires the following: determination, effort, and a bit of humility.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<strong>Note that s<\/strong>ome style guides require a capital letter after a colon when what follows is a complete sentence. Others do not. Ask your teacher!\r\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\r\n<h3>Examples<\/h3>\r\n<strong>Example 1:<\/strong> I am thrilled to be part of a college community: Education is my future.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>This sentence is correct:<\/strong> Capital \u201cE\u201d is sometimes required by various style guides since \"Education is my future\" is a full sentence.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Example 2:<\/strong>\u00a0I am thrilled to be part of a college community: The future.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>This sentence is incorrect:<\/strong> Capital \u201cT\u201d in \"The\" is not correct because \"The future\" is not a full sentence.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\r\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\r\nIs the colon used correctly in the following sentences? Select yes or no.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/7716e063-f92a-453b-9ff4-597a323031f4\r\n\r\nUnderstanding the functions of the semicolon and colon will help you use them effectively. Remember, a semicolon connects complete ideas or items in a list that have internal commas. Colons act as signposts to alert readers to important information.\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/lumenlearning.h5p.com\/content\/1292085780006287728\/embed\" width=\"1089\" height=\"638\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" aria-label=\"The Standard Use of Colons\"><\/iframe><script src=\"https:\/\/lumenlearning.h5p.com\/js\/h5p-resizer.js\" charset=\"UTF-8\"><\/script>\r\n\r\nReview the distinctions between semicolons and colons in the following interactive.\r\n\r\n[embed]https:\/\/lumenlearning.h5p.com\/content\/1290906746630560368\/embed[\/embed]\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Demonstrate the standard uses of colons<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_2690\" style=\"width: 272px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2690\" class=\"wp-image-2690\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4975\/2019\/12\/30225905\/eric-deschaintre-xtnUQQwwnXA-unsplash-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"Road sign with animals that says &quot;slow!&quot;.\" width=\"262\" height=\"174\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2690\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. This road sign warns drivers to pay attention to wildlife as they continue on. Colons similarly remind the reader to pay attention to what they will read next.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The colon is like a sign on the highway, announcing that something important is coming. It acts as an arrow pointing forward, telling you to read on for important information. A common analogy used to explain the colon is that it acts as a flare in the road, signaling that something meaningful lies ahead.<\/p>\n<p>The colon is not just used to introduce a list; it is far more flexible. The colon can appear after the first word(s) of a sentence, just before the final word(s) of a sentence, or even between two independent clauses. It can be used to provide emphasis, to explain, or to summarize. Thus, it is one of the most powerful punctuation marks.<\/p>\n<h2>Using Colons<\/h2>\n<p>Use the colon when you wish to provide emphasis.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\n<h3>Examples: Colons for Emphasis<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>To address this problem, we must turn to one of the biologist\u2019s most basic\u00a0tools: the petri dish.<\/li>\n<li>My grandfather, a\u00a0research scientist, gave me some critical\u00a0advice about petri dishes: don\u2019t drop them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Use the colon to introduce material that explains or summarizes what has preceded it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\n<h3>Examples: Colons for Explanations and Summaries<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The petri dish: one of the biologist\u2019s most basic\u00a0tools.<\/li>\n<li>In low-carbon steels, banding tends to affect two properties in particular: tensile ductility and yield strength.<\/li>\n<li>The research is conclusive: global warming is really happening.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Use the colon to present a list or series, particularly when there is a lot of similar material to join or when the items in the list include commas.\u00a0<\/strong>When you are using a colon in this way, the colon usually gives the idea of \u201cas follows\u201d or \u201cwhich is\/are.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\n<h3>Examples: Colons for Lists<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A compost facility may not be located in the following areas: within 300 feet of an exceptional-value wetland, within 100 feet of a perennial stream, or within 50 feet of a property line.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A backyard compost pile can process many items: fruit and vegetable scraps; crushed egg shells; spoiled soy, rice, almond, or coconut milk; loose leaf tea.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><strong>PRO TIP:<\/strong> Be careful! Do not include a colon after words like \u201cfor example\u201d or just because you have a list.<\/div>\n<h3>Correct Use of Colons<\/h3>\n<p>To ensure you are using a colon correctly, check to see if you could substitute a period for your colon. If not, your colon is not correct.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\n<h3>Examples<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Example 1: <\/strong>The three primary colors are: red, blue, and yellow. (The colon is not necessary to introduce this list because the first part of the sentence is grammatically incomplete without including the colors.)<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>This sentence is incorrect:<\/strong> \u201cThe three primary colors are\u201d is not a sentence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Example 2:<\/strong> I am going to the store to buy groceries: milk, bread, and cheese.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>This sentence is correct:<\/strong> &#8220;I am going to the store to buy groceries&#8221; works as a standalone sentence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>You may use a colon with \u201cas follows\u201d or \u201cthe following.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\n<h3>Examples<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Example 1:<\/strong>\u00a0I am going to clean my apartment as follows: first, I\u2019m going to dust; then, I\u2019m going to vacuum; and finally, I\u2019m going to make a mess all over again.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example 2:<\/strong> College success requires the following: determination, effort, and a bit of humility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Note that s<\/strong>ome style guides require a capital letter after a colon when what follows is a complete sentence. Others do not. Ask your teacher!<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\n<h3>Examples<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Example 1:<\/strong> I am thrilled to be part of a college community: Education is my future.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>This sentence is correct:<\/strong> Capital \u201cE\u201d is sometimes required by various style guides since &#8220;Education is my future&#8221; is a full sentence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Example 2:<\/strong>\u00a0I am thrilled to be part of a college community: The future.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>This sentence is incorrect:<\/strong> Capital \u201cT\u201d in &#8220;The&#8221; is not correct because &#8220;The future&#8221; is not a full sentence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\n<p>Is the colon used correctly in the following sentences? Select yes or no.<\/p>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"assessment_practice_7716e063-f92a-453b-9ff4-597a323031f4\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/7716e063-f92a-453b-9ff4-597a323031f4?iframe_resize_id=assessment_practice_id_7716e063-f92a-453b-9ff4-597a323031f4\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:300px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Understanding the functions of the semicolon and colon will help you use them effectively. Remember, a semicolon connects complete ideas or items in a list that have internal commas. Colons act as signposts to alert readers to important information.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/lumenlearning.h5p.com\/content\/1292085780006287728\/embed\" width=\"1089\" height=\"638\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" aria-label=\"The Standard Use of Colons\"><\/iframe><script src=\"https:\/\/lumenlearning.h5p.com\/js\/h5p-resizer.js\" charset=\"UTF-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Review the distinctions between semicolons and colons in the following interactive.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/lumenlearning.h5p.com\/content\/1290906746630560368\/embed\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"500\" height=\"750\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-64\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Revision and Adaptation. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Semicolons, Colons, and Dashes. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Joe Schall. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: The Pennsylvania State University. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/The%20Pennsylvania%20State%20University\">http:\/\/The%20Pennsylvania%20State%20University<\/a>. <strong>Project<\/strong>: Penn State&#039;s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences&#039; OER Initiative. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Colons. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Julie Sevastopoulos. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Grammar-Quizzes.. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/Grammar-Quizzes.\">http:\/\/Grammar-Quizzes.<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Semicolons and Colons. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Excelsior Online Writing Lab. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/owl.excelsior.edu\/writing-refresher\/grammar-refresher\/semicolons-colons\/\">https:\/\/owl.excelsior.edu\/writing-refresher\/grammar-refresher\/semicolons-colons\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Image of road sign. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Eric Deschaintre. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Unsplash. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/xtnUQQwwnXA\">https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/xtnUQQwwnXA<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em>Other<\/em>. <strong>License Terms<\/strong>: https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license<\/li><li>Colons: The Signposts Interactive. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Modified by Robert Danielson. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Robert Danielson for Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":29,"menu_order":15,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Revision and Adaptation\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Semicolons, Colons, and Dashes\",\"author\":\"Joe Schall\",\"organization\":\"The Pennsylvania State University\",\"url\":\"The Pennsylvania State University\",\"project\":\"Penn State\\'s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences\\' OER Initiative\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Colons\",\"author\":\"Julie Sevastopoulos\",\"organization\":\"Grammar-Quizzes.\",\"url\":\"Grammar-Quizzes.\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Semicolons and Colons\",\"author\":\"Excelsior Online Writing 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