Colons: How and when to use them - Part 2

Using Colons after Introductions

A colon can be used after an introduction. The wording to the left of the colon will introduce whatever follows on the right. For example:

• The Victorian printing set is missing the following characters: Q, R, K, and the question mark.

• He voted for the following films: (1) Jaws (2) The Princess Bride (3) Shawshank Redemption

Using Colons in References and Times

Colons can be used to divide the parts of references, titles, and times. For example:

• I am currently reading "How To Get Your Own Way: Who's Manipulating You?". (Here, the colon is used to separate the main title from the subtitle.)

• Genesis 1:1 starts "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Colon used as a separator in a Bible reference)

• 07:30 - Breakfast 08:30 - Meet at the lake and prepare the kayaks 09:00 - Select teams(Colons used as a separator in times.)