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Grammar and Punctuation: Colons

Colons

Three uses for colons

1. Colons can be used to join two independent clauses

This is useful when you wish to emphasize the second clause. For example:

  • I forgot my umbrella: we got soaked.

2. Colons can be used to introduce a clause that reflects something in the clause preceding the colon.

For example:

  • We like several types of movies: romance movies are emotionally moving, but action movies are really exciting.

3. Colons can be used to introduce lists, quotations, and explanations.

For example:

  • I have many different favourite teams: the Oilers, the Flames, and the Blue Jays.
  • U.S. President George Washington once said the following: "To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace."
  • This is how it happened: I had a quarter for the meter, then I dropped it down the sewer crack, I came out of the store and suddenly, I had a parking ticket!

Additional Resources

This entry from the Grammarly Blog provides alternate explanations of how colons are used, examples of correct colon use, and more!

This video from The School of Life is useful to better understand the differences between colons and semi-colons.


This guide was created/compiled by Amanda Wills and last updated by Teevin Fournier in 2025. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons BY NC SA 4.0 International License.