When working with a bulleted or numbered list, use the colon before introducing the list. Not “We have a nice time in Niagara fall The way the water fell was a sight to behold.” Rule 3: Introducing a bulleted/number list Also, the second sentence should start with a lower case.įor example, it should be “We have a nice time in Niagara fall: the way the water fell was a sight to behold.” You should only use a colon if the sentence after the colon provides information about the first sentence. Most confuse colon usage with semi-colon usage in this aspect. Not “Tiara need: books and pencils.” Rule 2: Connecting two sentences Sub-rule 3: Colon usage after a verb/prepositionĭon’t use a colon after a verb or preposition.įor example, it should be “Tiara needs books and pencils.” Using the previous example, “There are three things every baby needs: Food, attention and care”is the correct option, not “There are three things every baby needs food, attention, and care.”This is because Food is a proper noun. Only consider capitalizing the first word after the colon if it is a proper noun. Not “There are three things every baby needs Food, attention, and care.” Sub-rule 1: Capitalizing the first word after colons Only use this rule if the item/list comes after a complete sentence/independent clause.įor example, it should be “There are three things every baby needs: Food, attention, and care.”

Sub-rule 1: Use it after a complete sentence/independent clause Here are the rules you should consider when introducing a list/item when using the colon. However, only a few people still know how to effectively use the punctuation mark as most people often confuse colons use with semi-colons. Using a colon to introduce items and the list is the most popular form of colon usage in many write-ups. Below are a few rules to use: Rule 1: Introducing items/lists Knowing when to use a colon does not have to be a challenge. Rules on how to use a colon in a sentence While the semi-colon connects two independent clauses, the colon introduces further information about a clause it supersedes using another clause.

The most similar punctuation mark to a colon is a semi-colon. A colon is a punctuation mark writers use to introduce a list of things or amplify a clause that precedes its use.

How to use a colon