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Updated on 2023-09-19
Typographic and editorial rules

Colon [:]

Estimated reading: 1 minute

There are three main uses of the colon:

  • between two clauses where the second clause explains or follows from the first [see examples 1]
  • to introduce a list [see examples 2]
  • before a quotation, and sometimes before direct speech [see examples 3]

The first word of the clause following a colon is not capitalized unless the text is in quotes

Examples1

1

That is the secret of my extraordinary life: always do the unexpected.
It wasn’t easy: to begin with, I had to find the right house.

2

The price includes the following: travel to London, flight to Venice, hotel accommodation, and excursions.
The job calls for skills in the following areas: proofing, editing, and database administration.

3

The headline read: “Taxi driver battles gangsters”.
They shouted: “Our families are starving! We need land!”

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Colon [:]

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