Colons

Colons are not a very commonly used punctuation mark, but they can be very useful!

Colons elaborate or provide details suggested by the first part of the sentence. Think of them as punctation marks that tell you that the answer to an implicit question is coming RIGHT NOW. 

Colons often suggest that a list of items is coming:

Example:

Katie never leaves home without her essential equipment: phone, wallet, lipstick, and coffee mug.

Here, you can imagine asking, "What essential equipment?" and the phrase after the colon answers that question.

Example 2:

The new Star Wars movie covers all of the critical bases for a successful sequel: a strong narrative line from the original movie, a deep emotional connection with the fanbase, and a plot line that captures the same excitement of the franchise as a whole. 

Here, again, you can imagine asking, "What are the critical bases for a successful sequel?" and the phrase after the colon provides that information.

Although colons are most commonly used to introduce lists, they can also provide a one item answer to a question.

Example:

Santa brought Quinn what she had always wanted: a scooter.

You can imagine asking, "What did Quinn want?" and the answer is: a scooter.

Example 2:

EdBoost strives for one core goal: helping students learn better. 

You ask, "What is EdBoost's goal?" and the answer is "helping students learn better."

So, what's so tricky about colons?  Although you need a colon to introduce the answer to a question brought up by a sentence, you do not need a colon if the word preceding the answer already tells you that a list or an answer is coming.

Example:

Tutors need a wide array of skills including strong math skills, people skills, and patience. 

Here, the word "including" serves the purpose of the colon, so no colon is necessary. 

Example 2: 

I feel sick whenever I drink milk, lattes, or drinkable yogurt.

Here, again, there is no colon needed.

Bottom line: You use a colon when the sentence provides an answer, but there's no word introducing it.  If there's no word saying that an answer is coming, a colon will perform that function.  If the words already tell you that an answer is coming, you do not need a colon. 

Also note: a colon can be used in place of a semi-colon to separate two independent clauses, as long as the second clause answers or elaborates on something from the first clause. 

Practice Problems:

  • Colons Practice

    Check the sentences below. Add colons where they are needed and remove colons that are incorrect.

    1. Kaitlin packed all kinds of fancy food for the picnic, sparkling water, dark chocolate, and organic strawberries.
    2. David wishes that he could make his parents happy: get good grades, speak politely, and be successful.
    3. Iker always tries to get away with sneaky things such as: sneaking food out of the vending machine and pretending to do homework when he's really playing a game. 
    4. Sarah made three wishes for her birthday to get into Stanford, to win the lottery, and to fall in love.
    5. Ava brought her lunch including a drink, a sandwich, and some cookies.
    6. Do you want: an apple, a banana, or a pear?
    7. She is Alex's dream pet: she listens to everything he says and never poops in the house. 
    8. Lily hopes to master the traits of a perfect dog, well-trained, calm, and helpful around the house.
    9. Siya loves all kinds of art, such as mosaic, collage, and painting.
    10. Eva has a ton of SAT homework: vocabulary to study, a reading section to complete, and math practice to finish.

    Answer Key:

Test Prep Practice

  • Colons Test Prep

    Correct the passage.  For each underlined word or portion, correct the errors or leave answer as correct.

    $\boxed{1}$There are many famous Italian dishes such as: lasagna, spaghetti, manicotti, and gnocchi. As yummy as these dishes are, none holds a candle to $\boxed{2}$ my favorite: risotto.

    What is risotto, you ask? It's rice, people will tell you. $\boxed{3}$ It's actually a very specific type of rice; arborio rice. But, it is not the rice that makes the dish (well, it is, but not all of it). $\boxed{4}$The key to perfect risotto is: patience.

    $\boxed{5}$There are: many different types of risotto dishes.  Skim through the menus of restaurants and you can $\boxed{6}$ find many risotto dishes to tempt you, mushroom risotto and squash risotto are particularly common menu offerings. $\boxed{7}$But it's not the extra ingredients like: mushrooms or squash,  or even lobster, that make risotto so good.  $\boxed{8}$It's the: soft, warm, thick, porridge-like quality of risotto that I love so much.  How do you achieve that texture? $\boxed{9}$You must: cook the rice in a dry pan$\boxed{10}$ first, to toast it.  Then add the water ladle by ladle, letting each dose of water or broth be absorbed before adding the next. This slow process is what makes perfect risotto.

     

    $\boxed{11}$Is there a shortcut: of course there is. $\boxed{12}$Some people make risotto in a slow cooker; which results in a passable dish.  I'll eat it but I don't love it in the same way. $\boxed{13}$The rice you get is soft and warm, but somehow too mushy.  $\boxed{14}$It's hard to describe what I love best about risotto: the fact that each grain or rice is both individual and mixed with the others. 

    It's hard to fathom that anyone could care this $\boxed{15}$ much about a rice dish, but I do. $\boxed{16}$And, if you want to understand why: try some risotto yourself. $\boxed{17}$ I promise, you'll be hooked. 

     

    1.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. There are many famous Italian dishes, such as: lasagna,
      3. There are many famous Italian dishes, such as lasagna,
      4. There are many famous Italian dishes such as; lasagna,
    2.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. my favorite; risotto.
      3. my favorite risotto.
      4. my favorite, like: risotto.
    3.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. It's actually a very specific type of rice: arborio rice.
      3. Its actually a very specific type of rice; arborio rice.
      4. Its actually a very specific type of rice: arborio rice.
    4.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. The key to perfect risotto is patience.
      3. The key to perfect risotto is; patience.
      4. The key to perfect risotto is, patience.
    5.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. There are, many different types of risotto dishes.
      3. There are also: many different types of risotto dishes.
      4. There are many different types of risotto dishes.
    6.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. find many risotto dishes to tempt you: mushroom risotto
      3. find many risotto dishes to tempt you; mushroom risotto
      4. find many risotto dishes to tempt you mushroom risotto 
    7.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. But it's not the extra ingredients like, mushrooms or squash,
      3. But it's not the extra ingredients like; mushrooms or squash,
      4. But it's not the extra ingredients, like mushrooms or squash, 
    8.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. It's the soft, warm, thick, porridge-like
      3. Such as: soft, warm, thick, porridge-like
      4. It's the, soft, warm, thick, porridge-like
    1.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. You must, cook the rice in a dry pan
      3. You must cook the rice in a dry pan
      4. You must; cook the rice in a dry pan 

    2.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. first: to toast it. 
      3. first; to toast it.
      4. first and to toast it. 
    3.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. Is there a shortcut, of course there is.  
      3. Is there a shortcut? Of course there is.  
      4. Is there a shortcut; of course there is. 
    4.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. Some people make risotto in a slow cooker, which results in a passable dish.
      3. Some people make risotto in a slow cooker which results in a passable dish.
      4. Some people make risotto in a slow cooker: which results in a passable dish.
    5.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. The rice you get is soft and warm: but somehow too mushy.
      3. The rice you get is soft and warm; but somehow too mushy.
      4. The rice you get is soft and warm but somehow too mushy.
    6.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. best about risotto; the fact that each
      3. best about risotto. The fact that each
      4. best about risotto the fact that each
    7.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. much about a rice dish: but I do.
      3. much about a rice dish but I do.
      4. much about a rice dish; but I do.
    8.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. And, if you want to understand why; try some risotto yourself.
      3. And, if you want to understand why try some risotto yourself.
      4. And, if you want to understand why, try some risotto yourself.
    9.  
      1. NO CHANGE
      2. I promise, that you'll be hooked. 
      3. I promise, which you'll be hooked. 
      4. I promise: you'll be hooked. 

    Answer Key:

Skill: