essay title with colon example

Sunday, August 18, 2024

Whether to use colons in titles

March 30, 2010 Filed under Blog , Popular , Presentations , Writing

For an example, take a look at this issue of Progress in Human Geography . Of the 9 scientific articles, all but one use a colon in the title. Two even use a colon and an em dash! Do people in these disciplines have more to say in the titles than us in the physical sciences? I don’t know. It certainly seems commonplace, if not nearly mandatory in those disciplines.

By comparison, atmospheric science (as well as the other physical sciences) tend not to have as many titles with colons in them. Peter Thrower, the long-time editor of the journal Carbon , wrote an editorial derogatorily calling titles with unnecessary colons in them colonic titles . (If that joke doesn’t make sense to you, check out this definition of colonic .)

Colons, like anything, lose their novelty and effectiveness when overused. Titles with colons often make the titles longer and cutsier than necessary. Of my roughly 80 published papers, I have used a colon or a two-phrase title 14 times, and only four of those cases was I the lead author. Here are some of those titles.

Historical research in the atmospheric sciences: The value of literature reviews, libraries, and librarians. Castellanus and elevated convection: Ambiguities, significance, and questions. Maintaining the role of humans in the forecast process. Analyzing the psyche of expert forecasters. False alarms and close calls: A conceptual model of warning accuracy. The mysteries of mammatus clouds: Observations and formation mechanisms. Toward improved prediction: High-resolution and ensemble modeling systems in operations. Field significance revisited: Spatial bias errors in forecasts as applied to the Eta model. The use of moisture flux convergence in forecasting convective initiation: Historical and operational perspectives. The 1993 Superstorm cold surge: Frontal structure, gap flow, and tropical impact. The March 1993 Superstorm cyclogenesis: Incipient phase synoptic- and convective-scale flow interaction and model performance.

Two cases had trivial uses of the colon.

Evolution of the U.S. tornado database: 1954–2004. Climatology of severe hail in Finland: 1930–2006.

In only two cases, I might have pushed some people’s buttons as the title might have been perceived as too cutsy or unnecessary. For those cases, I was trying to be a little more provocative.

Are three heads better than two? How the number of reviewers and editor behavior affect the rejection rate. Weekly precipitation cycles? Lack of evidence from United States surface stations.

Looking back, I think that most of my colonic titles were not excessively long, and the second part of the title after the colon amplified the first part. So, I thought these titles were mostly effective. Sure, many of them could have been written as a single phrase, but then what I wanted to emphasize as the first part would have necessarily been subservient in a revised title. (Writing the Superstorm titles without the colon but trying to keep the word “Superstorm” early in the title is a challenge.)

If an author vowed to never use colons in his titles, I would support that person 100%. But, I would also support others’ ability to use them in a limited and specific sense.

I ran across your blog post as I was trying to find out if the part of the title that comes after the colon has a name. I want to call it a subtitle, but that’s confusing. That word refers to the words that run across the screen during foreign films. While I didn’t find the answer I was looking for I was, quite entertainingly, given yet more issues to mull over. Thank you!

PS Are they really called colonic titles or were you just using the joke moniker throughout the post?

Thanks for your comment, Annie. Yes, indeed, Peter Thrower does refer to them as colonic titles (his term). I looked in my dictionary and found that subtitle could also mean “a subordinate title of a published work or article giving additional information about its content.” So, I think it is accurate to refer to them as subtitles.

Titles with two colons _really_ drive me nuts.

Is it acceptable to use TWO colons in one title? Someone I know is writing a book and the working title has two colons it. I just don’t think this is good at all, even if it is acceptable. Thanks.

I can imagine that you might have a main title that has a colon in it ( Blue: The Best Color ), and then a subtitle ( The Story of Why the Sky is Blue ). I guess the way the full title would be referenced would be with two colons ( Blue: The Best Color: The Story of Why the Sky is Blue ). That seems a bit excessive when written that way. But, I can see the appeal of having the main title have a colon. Is there any way for this author to avoid using two colons?

[…] are many out there who will tell you how the colon is overdone and poorly used (hear it from a scientist, an English major, and a Princetonian). Do a little research on how your own professors have […]

[…] opinion on the topic of colons. Like this:LikeBe the first to like this post. Posted in: community, […]

[…] Titles should be appropriately balanced with the style and content of the article. The colon is commonly used to expand on the core idea of the title or present a cool statement or image to draw in a reader. There is some debate about the appropriateness of the colon in the titles of some disciplines. (2010 Eloquent Science) http://eloquentscience.com/2010/03/whether-to-use-colons-in-titles/ […]

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David M. Schultz is a Professor of Synoptic Meteorology at the Centre for Atmospheric Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and the Centre for Crisis Studies and Mitigation, The University of Manchester. He served as Chief Editor for Monthly Weather Review from 2008 to 2022. In 2014 and 2017, he received the University of Manchester Teaching Excellence Award, the only academic to have twice done so. He has published over 190 peer-reviewed journal articles. [Read more]

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When to Use a Colon (:)

Use a colon to explain, illustrate, and elaborate. A colon directs the reader’s attention to the information that follows.

The pandemic didn’t create the digital divide: it revealed a problem that already existed.
There was just one thing we needed now: luck.

Place a colon after a grammatically complete sentence to introduce a list.

We want three things: equality, opportunity, and liberty.
Log into your account.
Request cancellation.
Take a screenshot of the message you see on the screen.
Build a time machine.
Go back in time, and don’t ever subscribe to anything you don’t want to be stuck with forever.

A colon may also be used instead of a comma to introduce quoted text and emphasize it.

The writer speaks of growing old: “Time is suddenly your worst enemy and your closest friend.”
Camus says: “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”

Use a colon to separate a title from a subtitle.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

A colon is also used as a separator in listings, citations, dialogue, and ratios.

When to use a colon: Rules and examples. To explain, amplify, and illustrate. ("We needed what we couldn't buy: time." "This recipe is easy: mix everything together and bake." "Lulu likes the dawn: it's full of possibility.") To introduce a list. ("We sell all kinds of vehicles: cars, trucks, and time machines.") Between a title and a subtitle. ("On Silence: A Memoir.")

What is the colon?

The colon (:) is a punctuation mark used to introduce a list or a quotation, or to explain and amplify a statement. Its purpose is to direct attention to the information that follows. It can also serve as a sign or separator.

Anita collects antiques: typewriters, lanterns, clocks, and cameras.
Woolf provides useful advice: “So long as you write what you wish to write, that is all that matters.”
Maya likes to travel: it lets her escape reality by immersing herself in it.
Non-voters outnumber voters 4:1 in this state.

The colon, which conveys the sense of “as follows” or “which is/are,” is a useful punctuation mark to present ideas clearly to your reader. In this article, we discuss when and when not to use the colon.

To introduce a list

Use a colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list . It is often used after expressions like “as follows” and “the following.”

Here are two things you will need in the apocalypse: tissues and moisturizer.
The steps are as follows: first, cut the board to size; second, cut the legs and trim; third, glue legs and board together; fourth, dry and sand.
A successful birder always has the following: (1) a pair of binoculars, (2) some chocolate, (3) a book on birds, and (4) patience.
Weigh out the ingredients.
Mix them together.
Bake for 40 minutes.
Go online and order pizza.
Three nails
A step ladder
The phone number of a good carpenter

After expressions like “for example,” “for instance,” “namely,” and “that is,” a comma is generally used instead of a colon.

You can present this information in various ways. For example, you could include some charts.
The class (that is, the students who filled the feedback form) wanted additional coaching.

Don’t use a colon if a list starts with an incomplete sentence or a fragment . Also note that no colon is needed after including , such as , and like .

Incorrect: We need emergency supplies like: blankets, medicines, food packets, and water bottles. Correct: We need emergency supplies like blankets, medicines, food packets, and water bottles. Correct: We need emergency supplies: blankets, medicines, food packets, water bottles, etc.
Dig a hole in the garden.
Bury a decoy jar full of pebbles.
Keep the real gold in a safe.
dig a hole in the garden,
bury a decoy jar full of pebbles,
keep the real gold in a safe.

Don’t use a colon after a list heading or caption.

Completed application form
Recommendation letter
List of all social media handles

A colon can sometimes also follow a list of words or phrases, with an explanatory statement after. Such usage is seen more often in creative than in formal writing.

Buttons, thread, scissors, and fabric: that’s all you need to stitch a shirt.
Raindrops, whiskers, snowflakes, mittens: these are some of her favorite things.
Work, work, work: that’s all we ever talk about.

To explain and amplify

Use a colon to introduce information that describes, explains, or amplifies. It is a way of saying “which is/are” or “as follows.” By using a colon, you ask the reader to focus on the information that follows.

She wants just one thing: a room of her own. The colon replaces the phrase “which is” and emphasizes what follows.
We knew what we had to do: run for our lives.
You have two choices: you can either run or make a stand.
I can’t go to next screen: neither of the buttons is working.

A colon can be used between two independent clauses to indicate that the second clause explains or builds upon the first. (An independent clause is one that can stand by itself as a sentence.)

Farley chose to ignore our advice: he went alone on the road trip. You could also say, “Farley chose to ignore our advice and went alone on the road trip,” but then the emphasis is lost. The colon makes the reader focus on the clause that follows.
My grandmother loved to bake: she baked cakes for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, funerals, fine-weather days, I-woke-up-early-today days, and who-wants-some-cake days.
Only one piece of advice he gave me has stayed: trust no one.

Thus, a colon can replace a semicolon or a period between two independent clauses.

Correct: Farley chose to ignore our advice. He went alone on the road trip. The two sentences are related, but we are not emphasizing this fact. Correct: Farley chose to ignore our advice; he went alone on the road trip. The semicolon indicates that the two clauses are closely related. Correct: Farley chose to ignore our advice: he went alone on the road trip. The colon tells the reader that the second clause explains or amplifies the first.

Don’t use a colon between two clauses unless the second clause illustrates or explains the first.

Incorrect: Farley chose to ignore our advice: nothing we said could change his mind. The second clause does not amplify or illustrate the first. It merely presents related information. Correct: Farley chose to ignore our advice; nothing we said could change his mind. If the second clause doesn’t explain the first, but you still want to show that the clauses are closely related, use a semicolon rather than a colon. Correct: Farley chose to ignore our advice: he went alone on the road trip. The second clause explains the first one: it illustrates how Farley ignored the advice. A colon is now appropriate.

Capitalization after a colon

Don’t capitalize words or phrases following a colon within a sentence.

You need just three things: scissors, glue, and paper.
You have what you asked for: a miracle.
This shelter is home to various animals: cats, dogs, donkeys, turtles, parakeets, and even a chimpanzee.

When a colon is used between two independent clauses (each of which could stand alone as a sentence), the second clause is generally not capitalized.

My mother loved the outdoors: she would spend all her free time in the garden.
Farley is unfortunate: in the last year he has fallen down the stairs, crashed his motorcycle, and missed the bus to work forty-two times.
I cannot emphasize this enough: do not go out tonight.
That’s what I said: none of us is wrong.

Capitalization is a matter of style rather than grammar. Some style manuals , like the Chicago Manual of Style , suggest lowercasing an independent clause that follows a colon. Others, like the AP Stylebook and APA Publication Manual , recommend capitalizing it.

In general, a single clause after a colon is lowercased, as can be seen in the following examples.

But that’s the deal: you have to live. — Zadie Smith , On Beauty (2005)
All male friendships are essentially quixotic: they last only so long as each man is willing to polish the shaving-bowl helmet, climb on his donkey, and ride off after the other in pursuit of illusive glory and questionable adventure. — Michael Chabon , Wonder Boys (1995)

When a colon is followed by a series of sentences, all the sentences are capitalized.

She makes the effort: She goes out. She exercises. She lives on coffee and hope.
Self-help books can be downright dangerous: They misdiagnose. They make you think you are the problem. They give false hope.

Also see this article on capitalizing list elements after a colon.

For emphasis

A colon, which directs the reader’s attention to what follows, can be used for emphasis.

What we needed we didn’t have: a boat. We could also say, “What we needed we didn’t have, which was a boat,” but then the emphasis provided by the colon is lost.
Two kinds of people attend our workshops: those who have hope and those who don’t.
I know just the woman for the job: Minerva Dash.
She loved just one thing: sewing.

Before a definition

As a punctuation mark that explains and amplifies, a colon can be used to define, describe, and explain.

Colon: A punctuation mark that precedes an explanation.
VPN: virtual private network
Hope: that which is left when all else is lost.
The only one I could count on was Tumkin: he was a man who kept his promises.

Between a title and a subtitle

Use a colon to set off a subtitle from the main title , or a subheading from the main heading.

Tamburlaine the Great: A Play in Two Parts
The Zombie Apocalypse: A Documentary
Path to Recovery: The Book of Hope

Always capitalize a subtitle or subheading after a colon.

Incorrect: Twenty Long Years: my Story of Redemption Correct: Twenty Long Years: My Story of Redemption

To introduce a quotation

If you use a complete sentence to introduce quoted text, follow it with a colon rather than a comma .

The poet speaks of the very nature of the universe: “Gravity cannot prevail, the stars move away seeking solitude.”
The author leaves us with hope: “She hadn’t found the answer; she never would. But she would remain a traveler, a seeker.”
Dash speaks of loneliness in cosmic terms: “Physics tells us a time will come when all the stars in the sky will be too far away for us to even know they exist.”
Atwood’s character suggests caution in interpreting history: “Nothing is more difficult than to understand the dead, I’ve found; but nothing is more dangerous than to ignore them.”

A colon also replaces a comma to introduce quoted text when the quotation is more than one sentence long or when it needs to be emphasized.

Maya said: “We all dream, awake and asleep.” You could also use a comma after the word said , but a colon places greater emphasis on the quote.
Dash then continues: “It is true that two and two make four. But one and three also make four, as do four and zero.”
Farley replied: “The money is gone.”

A colon may also replace a comma to introduce a question or a thought.

She whispered to herself: What if I was wrong?
He wondered: What’s the point of it all?
As I grew older, I began to think: I too could be frivolous.

Also use a colon to set up a block of quoted text.

Happiness is not an ideal of reason, but of imagination.

An entire paragraph of quoted text is introduced by a colon.

To address someone

In formal communication, a colon can be used in place of a comma after a salutation or to address someone.

Mr. President :
Dear Madam :
Ladies and Gentlemen:
To whom it may concern:

In dialogue and Q&A

Use a colon to introduce a character’s speech in dialogue .

Rita: We need more time. Anita: We always need more time. We never find it.

In an interview transcript or a list of FAQs, use a colon to introduce question and answer.

Q: When did you decide to publish the report? A: When I realized it could change everything.
Q: How do I cancel my subscription? A: You can try, but you never will.

To show time

The colon is used as a separator to show time of day or to speak of duration.

Shall we meet at 2:30 p.m. ?
Our flight is at 15:45 PST on January 3.
Lap time: 2:22:23

In British usage, a period (or full stop) is often used instead of a colon to separate hours from minutes: 2.30 pm .

In ratios and proportions

A colon can be used to express a ratio or a proportion. It replaces the word to . Don’t use spaces around a colon in a ratio.

Add butter and sugar in a 2:1 ratio. Read aloud as “two-to-one ratio”; can also be written as such, unless you prefer to use numerals .
Boys outnumber girls 7:1 in these schools.
Mendel observed a phenotype ratio of 3:1.
The proportion (nitrogen) was 4:1.
The ratio of bleach to water should be 1:4.

In citations

In citations , a colon indicates a subsection of a larger work. For example, in biblical citations, a colon separates chapter and verse.

Isaiah 53:5

In reference lists, a colon is used as a separator between location and publisher in most citation styles.

Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica
Oxford: OUP
Gurugram: Penguin
New York: Wiley
Manila: University Press

Colon vs. dash

Both a colon and an em dash can be used to explain, illustrate, and amplify. Both punctuation marks emphasize what follows. But a colon is preferred in formal usage.

Informal: It was unfortunate—all the flights out were canceled. Formal: It was unfortunate: all the flights out were canceled.
Informal: The truth—what we think we want but never do. Formal: The truth: what we think we want but never do.
Informal: I know what you need—tea. Formal: I know what you need: tea.

A colon is precise: it explains and illustrates. Dashes are more versatile. They can show vague connections between ideas and thoughts, which is why they work in informal writing but are avoided in formal usage. In the following examples, an em dash works, but a colon would not.

It was unfortunate—just how unfortunate they didn’t yet know.
The truth—is that really what you want?
We needed three things—not much, just three things.

Colon vs. semicolon

Both a colon and a semicolon can be used instead of a period between two grammatically complete sentences (or independent clauses). A semicolon merely shows that the two clauses are closely related; a colon indicates that the second clause amplifies or explains the first.

Period: Farley is scared of dragonflies. As a child, he thought they were baby dragons. Two separate sentences. Semicolon: Farley is scared of dragonflies; as a child, he thought they were baby dragons. The semicolon tells the reader that the two clauses are closely related. Colon: Farley is scared of dragonflies: as a child, he thought they were baby dragons. The colon indicates to the reader that the second clause explains and amplifies the first one.

In the following examples, a semicolon works but a colon would not. This is because the second clause does not in any way explain or illustrate the first.

It’s not the discrimination I mind; it’s the fact that nothing ever changes.
There are only three types of people in the world; perhaps there are more but I have never met them.
She may be richer than me; she can’t possibly be happier than me today.

The following quotes illustrate the difference between a colon and a semicolon . Note how a colon presents explanatory information, while a semicolon connects two closely related clauses.

Districts face a hard reality, though: Many children lost a great deal of academic growth last year; some kids didn’t attend school at all. — Ron Berger, “Our Kids Are Not Broken,” Atlantic (March 2021)
It strikes me that this may be one of the differences between youth and age: when we are young, we invent different futures for ourselves; when we are old, we invent different pasts for others. — Julian Barnes , The Sense of an Ending (2011)

In the following examples, a semicolon is used instead of a colon. The clause after the semicolon is related to the one before but does not illustrate or explain it.

It wasn’t only wickedness and scheming that made people unhappy, it was confusion and misunderstanding; above all, it was the failure to grasp the simple truth that other people are as real as you. — Ian McEwan , Atonement (2001)
She was quite pretty too in those days; indeed, perhaps she still was. — Vikram Seth , A Suitable Boy (1993)

Colon vs. period

A colon can replace a period to present a series of related sentences. The colon helps build upon the statement that precedes it.

It was impossible: He had no money. He had no phone. He had nowhere to go.
Lulu had no choice but to leave: She had signed a contract. She had made a promise. And she was a woman of her word.
Maya had a choice to make: She could nod and smile. She could walk away. Or she could make a stand.

Don’t use a colon between two statements simply because they are related. Unless one clause builds upon the other, explains it, or needs to be emphasized, a colon can leave the reader dissatisfied by an apparent lack of logic.

Incorrect: Lulu likes to sing: She likes to dance as well, but singing is her passion. The colon does not work: the clauses that follow it don’t explain the one that precedes it. A period would work better after the first sentence. Correct: Lulu likes to sing. She likes to dance as well, but singing is her passion.

Misuse of colon

Don’t use a colon within a sentence unless after an independent clause (which could stand by itself as a grammatically complete sentence).

Incorrect: Maya wanted to spend her birthday: reading a book, sipping on tea, and looking out her window. Correct: Maya wanted to spend her birthday reading a book, sipping on tea, and looking out her window. Correct: Maya wanted a quiet birthday: she would read a book, sip on tea, and look out her window.

Don’t use a colon between two clauses unless the second clause explains or amplifies the first.

Incorrect: Nesbit loves video games: he also likes to read science fiction and fantasy. The second clause doesn’t explain, illustrate, or amplify the first one. A period would be more appropriate than a colon. Correct: Nesbit loves video games: he enjoys escaping reality. The second clause builds upon the first to explain why Nesbit likes video games. A colon is now appropriate.

Don’t use a colon at the start of a list unless the list is introduced by a complete sentence.

Incorrect: Lulu had to: order the cake, buy flowers, and find a gift. Correct: Lulu had to order the cake, buy flowers, and find a gift. Correct: Lulu had a lot to do: order the cake, buy flowers, and find a gift.
a piece of string,
a half-eaten candle,
a skeleton.
A piece of string
A half-eaten candle

Don’t use a colon after a heading or a caption. Since such material is already set off from the rest of the text, a colon is unnecessary. Prefer to use formatting options (like fonts and indentation) to indicate a heading.

Dutch truffle gateau
Banoffee pie
Japanese cheesecake

Examples from literature

The following examples from published writing illustrate how to use the colon correctly to explain and amplify.

Call it gossip, if you will, but when Nurse Rooke has half an hour’s leisure to bestow on me, she is sure to have something to relate that is entertaining and profitable: something that makes one know one’s species better. — Jane Austen , Persuasion (1817)
The arguments employed are of very different value: some are important and sound, others are confused or quibbling. — Bertrand Russell , The Problems of Philosophy (1912)
It comes to him: growth is betrayal. — John Updike , Rabbit Redux (1971)
The wheel turns and turns and turns: it never stops and stands still. — Anita Desai , The Village by the Sea (1982)
Gradually the waiting began to feel less like waiting and more like this was simply what life was: the distracting tasks undertaken while the thing you are waiting for continues not to happen. — Sally Rooney , Conversations with Friends (2017)

Share this article

Use a colon after a grammatically complete sentence to emphasize what follows.

Use a colon to explain, not simply to provide related information.

Use a colon after a grammatically complete sentence to introduce a list.

Capitalize a subtitle after a colon.

A direct quote is generally introduced by a comma, but a colon may be used for emphasis.

A Guide to Using Colons

What to Know Colons (:) introduce clauses or phrases that serve to describe, amplify, or restate what precedes them. Often they are used to introduce a quote or a list that satisfies the previous statement. For example, this summary could be written as "Colons can introduce many things: descriptors, quotes, lists, and more."

What Is a Colon?

We all know the colon, right? It's a punctuation mark that looks like two dots stacked, like a period with another period hovering above it :

It's typically a mark of introduction, used to let the reader know that what follows the colon has been pointed to or described by what precedes the colon. (This is quite a different function from that of the semicolon , which is mostly used to separate two independent sentence parts that are related in meaning.)

In the running prose that we encounter in books, magazines, articles, and the like, colons are mostly used to introduce a clause or a phrase that explains, illustrates, amplifies, or restates what precedes them. (Reminder: clauses and phrases are both groups of words within a sentence; the basic difference between them is that a clause has its own subject and verb, while a phrase does not.)

Colons are also hard to find in stock photography, so just go with it.

Colons Introduce Clauses and Phrases

Let's first look at some colons introducing clauses and phrases that explain, illustrate, amplify, and restate what's come before:

Harry the Dog and Mabel the Cat were having an impassioned argument about umbrellas: are umbrellas properly to be used only for rain?

In this example, what comes after the colon explains just what the argument referred to in the first part of the sentence is all about. Note that what follows the colon is not capitalized, but it could be. As a clause—it has its own subject and verb and could in fact function alone as its own sentence, albeit a sentence of the question variety—it certainly looks like something that can start with a capital letter, but whether it does or not is simply a matter of style. (Note that in British English the style is typically to go lowercase. Lowercase also happens to be Merriam-Webster's style.) Be consistent: capitalize the first letter in every clause that follows a colon, or always use lowercase.

Mabel the Cat was adamant that Harry recognize the usefulness of umbrellas for all wet weather: as protection against rain, sleet, and snow.

Here, the phrase following the colon illustrates what comes before it. Being a phrase and all, there is no capital letter. (There of course would be a capital letter if the first word of the phrase were a proper noun or acronym.)

"But why limit it, then, to wet weather?" Harry wanted to know. "Sun too beats down: is not an umbrella also appropriate protection against sun?"

Harry's clause, which would begin with a capital "I" if that were our style, amplifies what precedes it.

Mabel was having none of it: she remained unmoved.

Here, the clause following the colon restates what precedes it.

A colon can also introduce something that acts as an appositive. (Reminder: An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that refers to the same thing as another noun or noun phrase in the same sentence, and is usually right next to that other noun or noun phrase, like in "my neighbor the doctor." The two nouns/noun phrases—in this case "my neighbor" and "the doctor"—are said to stand "in grammatical apposition," which means that they have the same syntactical relation to the rest of the sentence.) The appositive that follows the colon can be an amplifying word, phrase, or clause:

"Harry," said Mabel, "umbrellas are about one thing: dry fur."

The noun phrase "dry fur" is in apposition to the "one thing" noun phrase on the other side of the colon.

"But Mabel," Harry pressed, "isn't the crux of it all in truth this: an umbrella is a collapsible shield for protection against weather generally?"

The clause following the colon is in apposition to "this" (which is a pronoun referring to "the crux of it all," if we're going to get technical about it).

"Oh Harry," replied Mabel, "a similar object that protects against sun has another name altogether: parasol."

The word "parasol" is in apposition to the noun phrase "another name altogether."

How NOT to Use Colons

We note in this aside that a colon is not used to separate a subject from its predicate ; a noun from its verb; a verb from its object or complement ; or a preposition from its object:

avoid - The sheer size of Mabel's umbrella collection: is stunning.
avoid - Harry's favorite umbrella: broke.
avoid - The umbrella's opening mechanism was: hopelessly jammed.
avoid - Mabel presented Harry with a choice umbrella of: her own.

Colons Can Introduce Lists and Series

And then there is the colon that introduces a list or series. What follows the colon is typically a word or phrase, so capitals are not be expected unless there's a proper noun or acronym:

Harry was not about to abandon his position. If Mabel was going to insist that umbrellas be conceived as appropriate for more than rain, then he was going to insist that they be deemed appropriate in all weather conditions: rain, sleet, snow, hail, and sun.

The list or series can also be composed of phrases:

Mabel's reply was emphatic. "You may be eternally encumbered by an umbrella then, Harry, but I will bear the following: an umbrella for wet weather, a parasol for hot sun, and a beret whenever I feel like it."

The list or series can also come before a summary statement:

Harry's rejoinder was equally emphatic. "Rain, sleet, snow, hail, sun: an umbrella will work for me, Mabel."

Colons Can Introduce Quotations

Colons are also commonly used in prose to introduce quotations. When the quoted material is lengthy, it's usually set off from the rest of the text by indentation but not by quotation marks:

Mabel was suddenly inspired to recite a bit of Lewis Carroll—specifically an excerpt from his 1871 Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There : All this time Tweedledee was trying his best to fold up the umbrella, with himself in it…. But he couldn't quite succeed, and it ended in his rolling over, bundled up in the umbrella, with only his head out: and there he lay, opening and shutting his mouth and his large eyes—'looking more like a fish than anything else,' Alice thought.

A colon can also be used before a quotation in running text, especially when the quotation is lengthy; or when it is a formal statement or a statement being given special emphasis; or when a full independent clause precedes the colon. Here's an example of the first kind:

"You know, Mabel," mused Harry, "while an avalanche perhaps does not quite qualify as 'weather,' an umbrella can also be used as protection against it. According to Mark Twain, anyway: 'We might have made the summit before night, but for a delay caused by the loss of an umbrella. I was allowing the umbrella to remain lost, but the men murmured, and with reason, for in this exposed region we stood in peculiar need of protection against avalanches; so I went into camp and detached a strong party to go after the missing article.' That's from A Tramp Abroad ."

And here's an example with a formal statement, or statement given special emphasis:

"I'll remind you, Harry," stated Mabel somewhat imperiously, "that this same text poses the absurd rhetorical question: '… what is an umbrella but a parachute?'"

And here's an example in which a full independent clause precedes the colon:

Harry, nonplussed, lunged toward a non sequitur. "I recently learned," he averred, "that the word 'umbrella' appears 26 times in James Joyce's Ulysses , and that three of those appearances occur in a single sentence: 'She disliked umbrella with rain, he liked woman with umbrella, she disliked new hat with rain, he liked woman with new hat, he bought new hat with rain, she carried umbrella with new hat.'"

Mabel's response is unknown, which is just as well: the fact is that we've got nothing more to say about colon use in prose.

MORE TO EXPLORE: A Guide to Using Semicolons

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When to Use a Colon: 10 Rules You Should Follow

You’ve probably already come across the two vertical dots known as a colon. But have you wondered how to use this punctuation mark in writing? If your answer is a resounding yes, this article is precisely made for you, as we will dive down on proper colon usage and when to use a colon.

Table of Contents

What Is a Colon?

It is a punctuation mark that you can use in a sentence to show time, present dialogue, and introduce quotations. If you’re wondering about the difference between a semicolon and a colon, a semicolon has a dot and a comma (;), while a colon’s symbol is two dots (:). In terms of usage, you should use semicolons for connecting independent clauses.

Go buy: sugar, flour, and baking powder.
I left: I wasn’t comfortable.
You remember Walt Disney’s quote: “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
The verse John 3:16.

When to Use a Colon

If you want to perfect your colon usage, you should follow these rules on when to use a colon.

Introduce Extended Quotations

You use a colon to introduce a quotation that follows an independent clause. The quotation should be a full sentence and a direct speech. Capitalize the first word of the quotation.

I will quote Eleanor Roosevelt: “If life were predictable it ceases to be life, and be without flavor.”
The young man concluded his speech: “In seeking happiness for others, you will find it in yourself.”

Connect Independent Clauses

Here, the second clause is used to explain the first clause. You summarize and give an example of the first clause. The second clause may be capitalized.

She is sad: she had a bad day.
They have been together for ten years: they love each other.

Introducing a Bulleted /Numeral List

The colon precedes a list after an independent clause. You give a list of things that relate to what you have written before the colon. It is also applicable in a serial list.

He knows three countries: Brazil, Mexico, and Germany
My favorite desserts are:
Chocolate
Vanilla Ice Cream

Directly Related Complete Sentences

A colon is used to link two sentences that are directly related. You use the colon for pausing purposes. The second sentence gives an explanation or a restatement.

Bilha won the medal: she was the fastest runner.
I went to the zoo: I saw a tiger.

Separate a Title and Subtitle

It separates a title and subtitle unless the title ends with an exclamation mark or a question mark. It is placed between the title and the subtitle. When a title has two subtitles use two colons.

One More Chance: The Hunter is Back.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin: Cassy: Cassy’s Story.

Emphasize a Dialogue

Place a colon right after the speaker’s name, then add their statement. This is mostly done in scripts, legal transcripts, and open-ended interviews. It enhances readability.

Police: stop your car!
Mike: I am tired.

After a Salutation

If you’re writing a letter to your professor or a client, use a colon right after the salutation. However, make sure that it is a formal letter. For less-formal letters, you will need to use a comma instead.

Dear Professor Grant:
To whom it may concern:

Separate Hours and Minutes

Use it to separate hours and minutes. Place the colon between the hours and minutes to indicate time. It is also used to express ratios of two numbers.

Arrive at 12:43 pm.
The ratio is 1:7.

Separate Information in a Bibliography

Different citation styles use it differently. In the Chicago Manual of Style, you capitalize the word after the colon only if it is followed by two or more independent clauses. In MLA, you will only capitalize when introducing a rule, several related sentences, and a proper noun.

On the other hand, APA style requires you to use a colon when it is preceded by an introductory clause. You will only capitalize the first letter only when it is followed by a proper noun and one complete clause. Lastly, in AMA style, when you use a colon, capitalize the first word after the colon.

Jackie Collins(1998)Thrill.New York: Simon and Schuster.
Prince Harry(2023)Spare.USA: Penguin Random House.

Before a Noun or Noun Phrase

Use a colon when a noun or noun phrase does not fit perfectly in a sentence. By doing this you direct the attention to the noun. This helps to modify the sentence.

She has the ideal qualities: kindness and humility.
He is everything despicable: an arrogant and proud man.

When Not to Use a Colon

To truly grasp the proper usage of a colon, you should also be aware and understand when you should use one.

After a Sentence Fragment

Never use a colon after a sentence fragment. Instead, use a comma or a semicolon. In other instances, the two clauses need conjunction.

(Wrong) she prefers dresses: because they make her feel pretty
(Correct) She prefers dresses because they make her feel pretty.

After Such As, Including, More and Especially

When using the words, such as, including, more, and especially, you may think a colon should be placed. However, the right punctuation mark is a comma.

(Wrong) Eat healthy food such as: apples and oats
(Correct) Eat healthy food, such as apples and oats

Separate a Noun From Its Verb

A noun and a verb are different parts of the speech. You may place a colon between them to pause. The pause happens orally, but in writing, it seems odd.

(Wrong) Claire: is a creative person
(Correct) Claire is a creative person

After a Preposition

A preposition shows the relation between two clauses. A colon shouldn’t be placed after a preposition as much as it seems as the best position. The preposition joins the two clauses to form a complete sentence.

(Wrong) Place the cup on: the table.
(Correct) Place the cup on the table.

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Best Tips on How to Title an Essay

How to Make a Good Title for an Essay

The success of an essay heavily depends on its title. This may not come as a surprise given that the essay title is the first aspect to provide the reader with a sneak peek into the text. It piques our interest to read the paper in the first place and gives us a preview of what to expect from the author.

Our research paper writing help prepared a thorough guide on how to title an essay. Here you may find tips and tricks for developing an effective APA or MLA essay title. So, let's dive straight into the article for more exciting details!

Essay Title Format

During your essay writing process, ensure you know the stylistic requirements before beginning an essay. Knowing the format you need to employ is crucial because different style manuals may have varying requirements. Mostly, you could have used an APA or MLA essay title format. Our service, where you can buy essay online , explains these two in more detail below.

Essay Title MLA

If you're required to create an essay title MLA format, check whether your instructor wants you to make a separate cover page. If not, put a heading at the beginning of your work that includes your name, the name of your professor, the course ID, and, lastly, the date.

On the other hand, if you must present a cover page for your essay title MLA, then you need to include the following:

The name of the college
The title of your paper
The subtitle of your paper, if applicable
Your first and last name
Your teacher or professor's name
The class name or course number
The date the paper is due

The formatting instructions are as follows:

Double-spaced
Times New Roman font
Size 12 font
Apart from very short terms, each word's initial letter should be capitalized. The initial word, however, must always be uppercase.
The title page shouldn't include a header with the page numbers.

Essay Title APA

Having discussed the MLA format essay title, let's explore what the APA student title page includes:

The paper title
Author names
Institutional affiliation where the author carried out the study
Name and number of the course
Professor name
Page number

The title of an essay format instructions:

double-spaced
1" margins
12-point Times New Roman
According to APA, your title should be targeted and brief, without unnecessary words or abbreviations

How to Choose a Good Title for an Essay: Important Qualities

Nobody will read a dull headline. Your title should grab your audience's attention and encourage them to read the rest of the work. As it is one of the initial things readers see, having a strong attention grabber is essential when writing an essay from scratch. To fully understand how to come up with a title for essay that is strong and exciting, let's consider a few following factors:

Employ a Catchy Hook - Usually, the title of essay format follows a similar basic structure, especially if they are used for an academic article. The hook serves as a unique component that attracts the reader. It's a captivating statement informing others about the topic of the essay. You can also explore several types of sentences with examples that can help you develop the ideal hook structure.

Consider Topic Keywords - These are essential terms or expressions pertinent to your subject and help your reader understand the focus and body of your article. These focus keywords should serve as a brief, one- to two-word article summary. You can choose some terms from the research topic your instructor gave you, but after your thesis statement is formed, this is where you should hunt for ideas.

Use a Colon - A colon is frequently used in academic titles to separate concepts and sentences. The standard procedure is to place a clever remark or brief quotation before the colon. Although these beginning words offer flavor, they can be overdone. Because of this, some individuals find using the colon to be repugnant. Therefore be careful not to misuse this method.

Ask a Question - To write essay title that is strong, consider asking a question. But, use it with caution because posing a question will make your tone less formal. As long as the question is suitably phrased to meet the subject of your essay, feel free to employ it. Always check to see if the title question still applies to your points in the essay's body. The thesis statement should be appropriately reflected as well.

Find Inspirational Quotes - There is no formula for selecting essay titles from the textual content. You may get playful and choose any quotation, proverb, or catchphrase that applies to your particular publication and works as a title. You may also create a great essay title using well-known expressions or idioms. Doing so will help your readers relate to and feel more comfortable discussing your subject.

Here are other rules for how to create a good title:

Title every section of writing: In the process of writing, create interesting subheadings to give your paragraphs an identity. Also, they make your text look ordered and clear.
The title must bear the theme of the text: choose a title that summarizes the essay.
Capitalize all words with certain exceptions: Capitalize the first letter of every word in the title, but do not capitalize pronouns, articles, prepositions, and conjunctions.
Avoid underlining the title: Since topics come in boldface, underlining it will amount to overemphasis. Some authorities say that if you must underline it, do not bolden it.
Review the final version of the title: Do not forget to do a quick review of the final version of the title—check for grammar, structure, spelling and so on. Re-read it to determine if the title has given justice to the essay. Confirm if the topic is catchy enough to attract your reader’s attention.
When using a colon in your title, follow the rules: Since we are dealing with punctuation rules here, let us talk about the colon – when you have two eye-catching topics, separate them with a colon.

Student’s Guide on How to Come Up with a Title for an Essay

Titling an essay can be easy, but there are a few core principles to be taken into account. The following tips will help you stay on track and avoid any common pitfalls.

Essay Goes First

Never start with a title! If you write it before the rest of the text, it will be based on it, and it should be vice versa. Writing an essay before choosing a heading will give you a clear understanding of what should make sense to the reader. Re-read the finished paper several times to decide on the title. The last thing to create is a title - such strategy will give more time to spend on crafting an essay outline, conducting research, or writing the paper itself.

What are you writing about? What is the style of your paper, and is it an academic essay or a free-form essay like a narrative essay? If the topic of your essay is “Do people who commit heinous crimes deserve the death penalty?” your title should not be humorous; it should be strict and to the point.

If your topic is “Why do people like watching funny cat videos?”, feel free to craft a funny title. Determine the tone of your essay and base your title on it—in consideration with the essay’s topic.

The tone can be:

Serious - “The implications of global warming”
Funny - “How cats and dogs love their masters”
Amiable - “Ways to fight depression”
Persuasive - “Why positive thinking is a must have skill for every person”
Informative - “Ten rules for creating a chemical at home”

The main goal of a title is to name its paper. There is no need to tell an entire story in the title, or provide any useless details. Sum up your paper in a few words! Another way to do this is to sum up your thesis statement, as it represents the main idea of your essay. Take your thesis and squeeze it into 3-4 words. Imagine that you are creating a title for your favourite newspaper or a slogan for Coca-Cola.

Don’t use fancy words! Take 2-3 main words (keywords), put them together, and stop wasting your time. Avoid jargon and abbreviations.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is something that can help any student and young writer reap benefits. While working on a title, detect the words related to the central idea of the paper. Type the words into the search field of Google and add the word “quote.” A search engine will show numerous web pages with in-text quotations that could be useful. Select the fragment you like. It is possible to learn how to make a creative title for an essay in this way.

Discover several more tips from experts:

Never forget the “What,” “Who,” “When,” “How,” “Why,” and “Where” questions (if you start with one of these questions, your title has a chance of getting noticed);
Come up with an unexpected image not related to the selected topic;
Sometimes, starting with a lie increases the chances of a title being able to catch an eye;
Review our catchy essay title examples.

Need Some Help With Your Essay's Title?

Feel free to contact EssayPro and we will provide you with a writing help at a moment’s notice. With the years of essay writing experience, titling becomes second nature, so you no longer need to worry about having a catchy headline on your paper.

Essay Title Examples: Bad vs Good

The strongest essay titles condense lengthy essays into concise statements. When wondering how to make an essay title, think carefully about your stylistic choices and essay format to produce an excellent one. Our dissertation help has provided essay title examples to let you understand the difference between good and bad ones more vividly.

Bad Essay Title Examples

As we discussed how to create an essay title and the specific elements that go into it, you should have a clear idea of how important it is to craft a strong title. In contrast, first, look at weak essay title ideas that can break your paper. This should serve as an example of why your heading should not be like this:

Ex 1: ' How Television Has Changed Our World ' - too vast and not informative

Ex 2: 'The Ara Pacis Augustae' - unclear for those who don't know Latin

Ex 3: 'The Most Poisonous Frog' - does not provide any insight

Ex 4: 'A Brief History of Subcultures and How They Manifest Themselves in a Constantly Changing Socio-Economic Environment' - too long and complicated

Ex 5: 'The Little Mermaid 29 Years Later: Selling a Harmful Sexist Message Through a Naughty Image' - inappropriate language

Good Essay Title Examples

Now that you know what a bad essay title looks like, let's explore good essay title examples as their substitutes. Examine the following essay title format styles that will give you a clear understanding.

Ex 1: ' The Electronic Babysitter: A Social History of Uses of the Television' - gives an exact description of what the essay will be about

Ex 2: ' The Modern Historical Significance of the Ara Pacis Augustae to the City of Rome' - here, the reader can understand what they will be reading about

Ex 3: ' A Deadly Beauty: The Evolution of Skin Coloration and Toxicity of the Poisonous Dart Frog' - clear, informative, and on-point.

Ex 4: 'Reconsidering Counterculture in Contemporary Society' - informative enough and brief

Ex 5: 'The Projection of Gender Stereotypes in The Little Mermaid' - employs appropriate language

Catchy Essay Title Ideas

You now understand that long, complicated headlines do not accurately convey the paper's main idea. Take ample time to consider the word choice before tilting your work. How do you create good essay titles? Think creatively and with common sense. But meanwhile, for your convenience, we compiled title ideas for essays you may use as inspiration.

Persuasive Essay Titles

Why Receiving College Education is Important: Examining Long-term Benefits
Face-to-Face Courses Cannot Be Replaced by Online Learning
An MBA Does Not Ensure Corporate Success.
Every Company Should Adopt a Green Strategy.
Energy Drinks Represent a Lucrative Market Segment.
Aircraft, Excess Weight Charges, Need to be Prohibited.
Patients' Life Shouldn't be Put to Death by Nurses.
Google Glasses May Increase the Number of Auto Accidents.
All of the Conventional Malls Will Soon be Replaced By Online Shopping
How Do Team-building Exercises Contribute to the Development of Inventions?
Illegal immigrants are entitled to remain in the US.

Academic Essay Titles

Several English Dialects: The Link Between Various Cultures
Instagram: A social media innovation
Is it possible to reverse drug-induced brain damage, and if so, how?
What the Future Holds for Humans in the Light of Artificial Intelligence
The Story of Two Nations after Decades of Conflict: North and South Korea
Video Games and Their Learning Context in Schools
Free Wi-Fi: Strategies for Enhancing the City's Economy

Strong Research Paper Titles

Digital World Cybersecurity
E-business to Provide New Paths for Booksellers
Outsourcing for Large Businesses
Preparing for College Costs for High School Students
What News Reporters Should Do in the Digital Age and How to Do It: Examples
The Transformative Power of Music: How Heavy Metal Impacted My Life

Best Essay Titles for College Students

The Possible Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence for Humans
The Potential for Time Travel in Virtual Reality
What Role Has Mathematics Played in Human History?
How to Succeed in the Real Estate Industry
E-Commerce: An Empire of Virtual Businesses Worth Millions of Dollars
How to Achieve Financial Independence in the Digital Age Without Opening a Real Business

More Creative Titles for Essays

When getting rewarded for their grades, would kids do better left alone?
How Does Fake News Impact the Mainstream press?
Homelessness in Contemporary Society: A Dilemma
What News Reporters' Best Job Is in the Digital Age and How to Uphold It
Elon Musk: Brilliant Mind or Insane Person?
Positives and Negatives of Employing a Smoker
Do We Employ the Appropriate Student Success Metrics?

Professional Academic Help

Now that you know how to make a good title for an essay, you should also understand that you should approach the task as a process. While composing your essay title, you must condense your whole thesis and point of discussion into a single, concise, yet powerful sentence. If you have time before your deadline, give it some thought and don't hurry.

Don't forget that you can always rely on our professional academic assistance, whether you need a reflection paper , ideas for a strong essay title, or any other academic papers. Consider the following words - write my essay for me - magic keywords for delegating your most complex tasks to our skilled writers!

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How To Title An Essay?

How to title an essay in mla format, what are some good titles for an essay.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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Grammar Guide

Colon Punctuation Rules: Grammar Guide

The colon punctuation mark has several uses in English grammar and mechanics. Let’s take a look at what a colon is and how it’s used in writing.

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What Is a Colon in Writing and Punctuation?

A colon is a punctuation mark that looks like two dots stacked on top of each other (like this : ).

The colon has a few grammar usages in sentences and several other uses that are considered English “mechanics,” such as in titles and times.

British vs American English Use of a Colon

Most punctuation rules are the same for both British English and American English. The only difference in how a colon is used is in time.

In American English, we write times with a colon between the hour and minutes, e.g. 3:45 . British English uses a period, also called a full stop, instead, e.g. 3.45 .

How to Use a Colon Punctuation Mark

Let’s look at the mechanical uses of the colon. There are six major non-sentence uses:

Periodical citations
Bible verses
Correspondence

We’ve already discussed how to use a colon to write times in American English.

Sometimes book, play, movie, or other media titles include colons to separate the main part of the title from the subtitle. Here are some examples:

On Fire: The Case for a Green New Deal by Naomi Klein
2001: A Space Odyssey
Star Wars: The Old Republic (video game)

Ratios are also written with colons. For example, you might tell someone to make a vinaigrette with a 3:1 oil to vinegar recipe.

When you cite a periodical or journal, use a colon between the volume and the page numbers, like this: American Journal of Archaeology 126: 3–17.

Bible verses always use a colon between the chapter number and the verse number (e.g. John 3:16).

Certain parts of correspondence, especially in a formal letter or business letter, use colons. Here are a few examples:

To Whom It May Concern:
Dear Ms. Potts:
PS: I enjoyed the coffee you sent. Thanks!
ATTN: Human Resources

A grammar guru, style editor, and writing mentor in one package.

When to use a colon in a sentence.

There are three uses of the colon punctuation mark in sentences. Let’s look at each in detail.

1. To Introduce a List

The primary use of the colon in a sentence is to introduce items in a list. Not all lists use colons, however, so how do you know when to use one?

If a list appears in the flow of a sentence, do not use a colon.

Correct: I like to eat mangos, nectarines, and strawberries. Incorrect: I like to eat: mangos, nectarines, and strawberries.

A colon introduces a list that is set apart from the main part of the sentence.

Correct: I bought three types of fruit: mangos, nectarines, and strawberries. Incorrect: I bought three types of fruit, mangos, nectarines, and strawberries.

2. To Elaborate or Emphasize

Colons sometimes precede words or clauses that emphasize or provide an explanation of a previous clause.

In a complete sentence, you can use a colon between two independent clauses if the second clause further explains the first part of a sentence.

Alongside separating two independent clauses, the colon can also separate an independent and dependent clause .

If both independent clauses could stand on their own as a complete sentence, capitalize the first word of the second sentence as if it were separate.

The philosopher’s life work revolved around the following question: What does morality look like in late-stage capitalism?

If the clause after the colon is not a complete sentence, do not capitalize the first word of the second clause. The only exception is if the word after the colon is a proper noun .

My brother had shocking news: he was moving to Japan in just two weeks.

If the capitalization rules confuse you, don’t worry! ProWritingAid can correct incorrect capitalization after a colon.

ProWritingAid detecting unnecessary capitalization after a colon

Sometimes, a colon introduces more than one complete sentence. Capitalize the first word of each complete sentence.

Making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich has four steps: First, gather your bread, jelly, and peanut butter. Second, spread peanut butter on one side of the bread. Third, add jelly to the other piece of bread. Finally, put the bread together and enjoy!

Colons can also provide emphasis. In these cases, the information after the colon does not have to be complete sentences.

You can place one word, a phrase, or a dependent clause after the colon. Do not capitalize the first word after the colon, unless it’s a proper noun.

Here are some examples of colons for emphasis:

The doctor said the word she feared most: cancer.
I told him what I had never told anyone before: the truth.
The verdict was shocking: not guilty on all counts.

3. To Introduce a Block Quote

When you put a long quotation in your writing, it’s a good idea to use a block quote. Block quotes do not use quotation marks.

Instead, write a colon after the introductory phrase, then start the block quote on a new line.

Let’s look at an example.

My life philosophy can be summed up in this quote by Ernest Hemingway:

Try to learn to breathe deeply, really to taste food when you eat, and when you sleep, really to sleep. Try as much as possible to be wholly alive with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell. And when you get angry, get good and angry. Try to be alive. You will be dead soon enough.

Colon Examples

Here are some more examples of how to use a colon.

You can make the cold brew with a 1:3 coffee concentrate to water ratio.
We have to be at the airport at 6:30 a.m.
Have you seen Avengers: Age of Ultron ?
He only lets three people hold him: his mom, his dad, and his grandma.
That true crime documentary keeps me wondering: Can you actually trust anyone?

Colon Grammar: Punctuation

Like many punctuation marks, the colon has several grammar and mechanics uses in English.

Learning these rules will help you use colon punctuation correctly in your writing.

Common Questions about Colon Punctuation Rules: Grammar Guide

Can i use a colon before a conjunction, learn more about punctuation:.

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Semicolons, colons, and dashes

What this handout is about.

This handout explains the most common uses of three kinds of punctuation: semicolons (;), colons (:), and dashes (—). After reading the handout, you will be better able to decide when to use these forms of punctuation in your own writing.

The semicolon looks like a comma with a period above it, and this can be a good way to remember what it does. A semicolon creates more separation between thoughts than a comma does but less than a period does. Here are the two most common uses of the semicolon:

1. To help separate items in a list, when some of those items already contain commas.

Let’s look at an example, as that is the easiest way to understand this use of the semicolon. Suppose I want to list three items that I bought at the grocery store:

apples grapes pears

In a sentence, I would separate these items with commas:

I bought apples, grapes, and pears.

Now suppose that the three items I want to list are described in phrases that already contain some commas:

shiny, ripe apples small, sweet, juicy grapes firm pears

If I use commas to separate these items, my sentence looks like this:

I bought shiny, ripe apples, small, sweet, juicy grapes, and firm pears.

That middle part is a bit confusing—it doesn’t give the reader many visual cues about how many items are in the list, or about which words should be grouped together. Here is where the semicolon can help. The commas between items can be “bumped up” a notch and turned into semicolons, so that readers can easily tell how many items are in the list and which words go together:

I bought shiny, ripe apples; small, sweet, juicy grapes; and firm pears.

2. To join two sentences.

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand on its own (independently)—it is a complete sentence. Semicolons can be used between two independent clauses. The semicolon keeps the clauses somewhat separate, like a period would do, so we can easily tell which ideas belong to which clause. But it also suggests that there may be a close relationship between the two clauses—closer than you would expect if there were a period between them. Let’s look at a few examples. Here are a few fine independent clauses, standing on their own as complete sentences:

I went to the grocery store today. I bought a ton of fruit. Apples, grapes, and pears were on sale.

Now—where could semicolons fit in here? They could be used to join two (but not all three) of the independent clauses together. So either of these pairs of sentences would be okay:

I went to the grocery store today; I bought a ton of fruit. Apples, grapes, and pears were all on sale.

I went to the grocery store today. I bought a ton of fruit; apples, grapes, and pears were all on sale.

I could NOT do this:

I went to the grocery store today; I bought a ton of fruit; apples, grapes, and pears were all on sale.

But why would I want to use a semicolon here, anyway? One reason might have to do with style: the three short sentences sound kind of choppy or abrupt. A stronger reason might be if I wanted to emphasize a relationship between two of the sentences. If I connect “I bought a ton of fruit” and “Apples, grapes, and pears were all on sale” more closely, readers may realize that the reason why I bought so much fruit is that there was a great sale on it.

Colons follow independent clauses (clauses that could stand alone as sentences) and can be used to present an explanation, draw attention to something, or join ideas together.

Common uses of colons

1. To announce, introduce, or direct attention to a list, a noun or noun phrase, a quotation, or an example/explanation. You can use a colon to draw attention to many things in your writing. The categories listed below often overlap, so don’t worry too much about whether your intended use of the colon fits one category perfectly.

Lists/series example:

We covered many of the fundamentals in our writing class: grammar, punctuation, style, and voice.

Noun/noun phrase example:

My roommate gave me the things I needed most: companionship and quiet.

Quotation example:

Shakespeare said it best: “To thine own self be true.”

Example/explanation example:

Many graduate students discover that there is a dark side to academia: late nights, high stress, and a crippling addiction to caffeinated beverages.

2. To join sentences. You can use a colon to connect two sentences when the second sentence summarizes, sharpens, or explains the first. Both sentences should be complete, and their content should be very closely related. Note that if you use colons this way too often, it can break up the flow of your writing. So don’t get carried away with your colons!

Example: Life is like a puzzle: half the fun is in trying to work it out.

3. To express time, in titles, and as part of other writing conventions. Colons appear in several standard or conventional places in writing. Here are a few examples:

With numbers. Colons are used to separate units of time (4:45:00 expresses four hours, forty-five minutes, and zero seconds); ratios (2:1), and Bible verses and chapters (Matthew 2:24).
In bibliography entries. Many citation styles use a colon to separate information in bibliography entries.

Example: Kurlansky, M. (2002). Salt: A world history. New York, NY: Walker and Co.

With subtitles. Colons are used to separate titles from subtitles.

Example: Everest: The Last Frontier

After the salutation in a formal business letter. A colon can be used immediately after the greeting in a formal letter (less-formal letters tend to use a comma in this location).

Example: To Whom It May Concern: Please accept my application for the position advertised in the News and Observer.

Common colon mistakes

1. Using a colon between a verb and its object or complement

Example (incorrect):The very best peaches are: those that are grown in the great state of Georgia.

To correct this, simply remove the colon.

2. Using a colon between a preposition and its object

Example (incorrect): My favorite cake is made of: carrots, flour, butter, eggs, and cream cheese icing.

3. Using a colon after “such as,” “including,” “especially,” and similar phrases. This violates the rule that the material preceding the colon must be a complete thought. Look, for example, at the following sentence:

Example (incorrect): There are many different types of paper, including: college ruled, wide ruled, and plain copy paper.

You can see that “There are many different types of paper, including” is not a complete sentence. The colon should simply be removed.

How to check for mistakes

Ask yourself a question: does the material preceding the colon stand on its own? One way to tell if the colon has been properly used is to look only at the words that come in front of the colon. Do they make a complete thought? If not, you may be using the colon improperly. Check above to see if you have made one of the most common mistakes.

Should you capitalize the first letter after a colon?

Different citation styles (such as MLA, APA, Chicago, and AMA) have slightly different rules regarding whether to capitalize the first letter after a colon. If it is important that you follow one of these styles precisely, be sure to use the appropriate manual to look up the rule.

Here’s our suggestion: generally, the first word following the colon should be lower-cased if the words after the colon form a dependent clause (that is, if they could not stand on their own as a complete sentence). If the following phrase is a complete (independent) clause, you may choose to capitalize it or not. Whichever approach you choose, be sure to be consistent throughout your paper.

Example with an independent clause, showing two different approaches to capitalization: The commercials had one message: The geeks shall inherit the earth. (correct) The commercials had one message: the geeks shall inherit the earth. (correct)

Example with a dependent clause (which is not capitalized): There are three perfect times to smile: when I’m with friends, when I’m alone, and when I’m with my dog. (correct)

The first thing to know when talking about dashes is that they are almost never required by the laws of grammar and punctuation. Overusing dashes can break up the flow of your writing, making it choppy or even difficult to follow, so don’t overdo it.

It’s also important to distinguish between dashes and hyphens. Hyphens are shorter lines (-); they are most often used to show connections between words that are working as a unit (for example, you might see adjectives like “well-intentioned”) or to spell certain words (like “e-mail”).

With that background information in mind, let’s take a look at some ways to put dashes to work in your writing.

1. To set off material for emphasis. Think of dashes as the opposite of parentheses. Where parentheses indicate that the reader should put less emphasis on the enclosed material, dashes indicate that the reader should pay more attention to the material between the dashes. Dashes add drama—parentheses whisper. Dashes can be used for emphasis in several ways: A single dash can emphasize material at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Example: After eighty years of dreaming, the elderly man realized it was time to finally revisit the land of his youth—Ireland.

Example: “The Office”—a harmless television program or a dangerously subversive guide to delinquency in the workplace?

Two dashes can emphasize material in the middle of a sentence. Some style and grammar guides even permit you to write a complete sentence within the dashes.

Example: Everything I saw in my new neighborhood—from the graceful elm trees to the stately brick buildings—reminded me of my alma mater.

Example (complete sentence): The students—they were each over the age of eighteen—lined up in the streets to vote for the presidential candidates.

Two dashes can emphasize a modifier. Words or phrases that describe a noun can be set off with dashes if you wish to emphasize them.

Example: The fairgrounds—cold and wet in the October rain—were deserted.

Example: Nettie—her chin held high—walked out into the storm.

2. To indicate sentence introductions or conclusions. You can sometimes use a dash to help readers see that certain words are meant as an introduction or conclusion to your sentence.

Example: Books, paper, pencils—many students lacked even the simplest tools for learning in nineteenth-century America.

Example: To improve their health, Americans should critically examine the foods that they eat—fast food, fatty fried foods, junk food, and sugary snacks.

3. To mark “bonus phrases.” Phrases that add information or clarify but are not necessary to the meaning of a sentence are ordinarily set off with commas. But when the phrase itself already contains one or more commas, dashes can help readers understand the sentence.

Slightly confusing example with commas: Even the simplest tasks, washing, dressing, and going to work, were nearly impossible after I broke my leg.

Better example with dashes: Even the simplest tasks—washing, dressing, and going to work—were nearly impossible after I broke my leg.

4. To break up dialogue. In written dialogue, if a speaker suddenly or abruptly stops speaking, hesitates in speech, or is cut off by another speaker, a dash can indicate the pause or interruption.

Example: “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about,” denied the politician.

Example: Mimi began to explain herself, saying, “I was thinking—” “I don’t care what you were thinking,” Rodolpho interrupted.

We hope that this handout has helped you better understand colons, semicolons, and dashes! For more information about punctuation, be sure to check out our handout on commas .

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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When to Use a Colon (:) | Rules, Guide & Examples

When to Use a Colon (:) | Rules, Guide & Examples

Published on May 30, 2019 by Amy Luo . Revised on July 19, 2023.

A colon (:) can be used to introduce words, phrases, lists of items, explanations, and elaborations. It can also be used to introduce a quotation .

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Introducing a word or phrase, introducing a list, introducing an explanation or elaboration, introducing a quotation.

Colons can be used to add emphasis when introducing single words or phrases.

She asked for only one thing: understanding.
The researchers found something unexpected: a dramatically lowered risk of heart disease.

When using a colon this way, always make sure the text before the comma is an independent clause that could stand as a complete sentence on its own. Or use the punctuation checker .

The first step towards a healthier lifestyle is : a good night’s sleep.
The first step towards a healthier lifestyle is simple : a good night’s sleep.

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A colon can be used to introduce a list when the introductory phrase is an independent clause.

My garden has four kinds of flowers: daffodils, tulips, roses, and chrysanthemums.

However, a colon is not always needed to introduce a list. Make sure not to use a colon after the verbs to be or to include .

The four kinds of flowers in my garden are : daffodils, tulips, roses, and chrysanthemums.
The four kinds of flowers in my garden are daffodils, tulips, roses, and chrysanthemums.

The first sentence is incorrect because the part before the colon is not an independent clause—it doesn’t form a full sentence on its own. The word are already signals that what will follow is connected to what comes before, so no colon is needed to connect the list to its introduction.

The table below shows two ways of fixing this error: removing the colon or rewriting the text that precedes it.

Fixing colon errors in lists

Our holiday itinerary in London includes: taking a walk along the canal, seeing several musicals in the , and enjoying a fancy meal at a restaurant.	Our holiday itinerary in London includes a variety of activities: taking a walk along the canal, seeing several musicals in the theater, and enjoying a fancy meal at a restaurant.	Our holiday itinerary in London includes taking a walk along the canal, seeing several musicals in the theater, and enjoying a fancy meal at a restaurant.
The three elements comprising formaldehyde are: carbon, oxygen and hydrogen.	Formaldehyde is comprised of three elements: carbon, oxygen and hydrogen.	The three elements comprising formaldehyde are carbon, oxygen and hydrogen.
This study will collect and compare data from: Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya.	This study will collect and compare data from three countries: Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya.	This study will collect and compare data from Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya.

A colon can connect two independent clauses when the second clause explains, elaborates on, or follows from the first.

Though some of my colleagues disagree, I stand by my opinion: catering to current market trends alone won’t ensure the long-term success of the company.

As always, when using a colon to introduce an explanation, make sure that the text before the colon could stand as a complete sentence.

Fixing colon errors with explanations

To caramelize the onion: saute it on low heat for at least fifteen minutes, stirring occasionally.	First, caramelize the onion: saute it on low heat for at least fifteen minutes, stirring occasionally.	To caramelize the onion, saute it on low heat for at least fifteen minutes, stirring occasionally.
The research concluded: aerobic exercise results in improved mood and appetite in adults of all age groups.	The research was conclusive: aerobic exercise results in improved mood and appetite in adults of all age groups.	The research concluded that aerobic exercise results in improved mood and appetite in adults of all age groups.

A colon can also be used to introduce a quotation .

The teacher shouted at the students: “Don’t talk when I am speaking!”
It was all over the news: “Prime Minister resigns in tears.”

Sources in this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

Luo, A. (2023, July 19). When to Use a Colon (:) | Rules, Guide & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 12, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/language-rules/colons/

Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015). Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Garner, B. A. (2016). Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

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Where do I place the colon that separates the title from a subtitle if the title ends with a quotation mark?

Note: This post relates to content in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook . For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook .

If the title ends with a quotation mark, insert the colon between the quotation mark and the subtitle. In the first example below, the title consists of a quotation from Shakespeare. In the second example, the title contains the title of a short story:

“To Be or Not to Be”: A Study of Shakespeare’s Hamlet

William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”: Northern Progress Meets Southern Tradition

Colons: When to Use Colons in Writing (Examples)

Would you like to know what colons are and how to use them? If so, you've come to the right place. This article will teach you everything you need to know to use them properly.

A colon is a punctuation mark used to introduce lists and ideas, provide further clarification, or place emphasis.

This guide is part of our free online Grammar Book .

What Are Colons?

So, first of all, what is a colon?

It's a punctuation mark that joins two related clauses .

The clause that precedes the colon should always be independent , and then the information that follows the colon should be an extension of the information in that independent clause . Sometimes the second clause is independent, and sometimes, it's dependent .

In other words, a colon replaces words like:

and those are
it's because

Look at the following examples, and try replacing the colons with these phrases.

I have many different kinds of flowers growing in my garden: roses, tulips and lavender, to name a few. She knows why I'm avoiding her: I don't want to talk about what happened at lunch the other day. Allow me to introduce the topic of today's workshop: basket weaving using traditional basketry techniques.

See? It works! If you're a visual or imaginative learner, you can also think of a colon as an arrow pointing toward the clause that follows it.

So how is a colon different from a semicolon?

The truth is that they're actually quite similar, except that while a colon replaces words like the ones presented above, a semicolon replaces conjunctions.
Plus, semicolons can separate items in a list, whereas colons can only introduce them.

When to Use Colons

Now that you've got an idea of what a colon is, let's look into the different situations you can use it in. I will explain those in this section, and you'll notice that there's the grammatical use of colons - which is basically to introduce - and then there's the use of colons outside of grammar contexts.

Read on to find out more.

To Introduce Lists

Colons are often used when writing lists because they allow you to introduce them. It works whether your list is made of single words, phrases , or full-on complete sentences.

Here's an example of each:

“Three things of life that once gone, never come back : time, words & opportunity.” — Unknown “They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” — Tom Bodett " In three words I can sum up everything I've learned in life: It goes on. " — Robert Frost

To Give Further Clarification

Semicolons are great for giving further clarification or even placing emphasis on something. That is, the clause after the colon elaborates further on the idea introduced in the preceding clause.

For example:

There's only one woman in my life: my mother. After all that I felt only one thing: regret. I desire one thing and one thing only: to go to the beach.

As you can see, the part that precedes the semicolon is a complete sentence and technically doesn't need the part that comes after the colon. That's why it's only there to provide further clarification.

To Introduce Quotations

You can use a colon to introduce a quotation if it's a complete sentence or when the introduction is an independent clause .

It's like Einstein once said: “If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself.”

You might see commas being used to introduce direct quotes, and that's correct if the introduction is not an independent clause.

He said, "My dog has gone missing."

To Separate Units of Time

This is the first of the colon's non-grammatical uses:

To separate units of time and ratios.

Here are a couple of sentences that demonstrate this:

The show starts at 9:15 pm. The ratio of girls to boys in my high school is 3:1.

To Separate Titles from Subtitles

You can use colons to separate titles from subtitles. This works with movies, books, academic journals; you name it.

Here are a few examples:

Jurassic World: Dominion A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes COVID-19 disruption on college students: Academic and socioemotional implications

To Name Speakers in a Dialogue

Colons are handy for reporting a dialogue in a theatre play or an interview, for instance. Just write the speaker's name followed by a colon, then write what they said.

Interviewer: How do you feel about the reception of your latest book? Stephen King: I'm thrilled that so many people worldwide enjoy my stories. Juliet: Ay me. Romeo: She speaks. Juliet: O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

Common Colon Mistakes

Now we've covered the primary uses of a colon, let's look at the most common mistakes people make when using them.

Don't Use Colons Between a Verb/Preposition and Its Object

Number one is using a colon between a verb and its object or complement and between a preposition and its object.

This doesn't work because it goes against the rule that the sentence before the colon should be complete (independent clause).

Take a look at the following sentence:

When I get home I want to: get into my pajamas and watch TV. ❌

This is an example of a colon being used between a preposition ('to') and its object ('get into'). 'When I get home, I want to' is not a complete sentence (it can't stand alone).

Here's another example, this time of a colon between a verb and its object :

This year I want: to go on vacation , learn to surf, and learn Spanish. ❌

Again, it doesn't work because 'this year I want to' is not a complete sentence.

You should also never use a colon in a sentence that uses the kinds of words it replaces, like "such as" and "those are."
Either use the words or use the colon, not both.

As an example, a sentence like the following is incorrect.

We should get various drinks for our picnic, such as: lemonade, iced tea and soda. ❌

Know When to Use Capitals

Should you use capitals after a colon? It depends.

You should use a capital if:

the first word after the colon is a proper noun
the part that comes after the colon is a complete sentence (independent clause)

Here are some examples to illustrate these rules:

They've opened a new ride at Disneyland: Guardians of the Galaxy. I'm not surprised the food at the wedding was amazing: They hired a world-renowned chef.

Concluding Thoughts on Colons

Well, that concludes this article on colons and how to use them. I hope you found it helpful.

Let's summarize what we've learned:

Colons are punctuation marks.
Use colons to introduce an idea or quotation, place emphasis, or elaborate.
You can also use colons to write the time or ratios, separate a title from its subtitle, or name a speaker.
Only independent clauses can precede a colon.
Capitalize the first word after the colon if it's a proper noun or a complete sentence.

If you found this article helpful, check out our Grammar Book . It's a free online database of grammar articles just like this one.

Learn More:

Commas: When to Use Commas in Writing (Examples)
How to Write a List Correctly: Colons, Commas, and Semicolons
Periods: When to Use Periods in Writing (Examples)
Exclamation Points: When to Use Exclamation Points in Writing (Examples)
Semicolons: When to Use Semicolons in Writing (Examples)
Parallelism: What Is Parallelism? Definition and Examples
Question Marks: When to Use Question Marks in Writing (Examples)
Conjunctions: What Are Conjunctions? Definition and Type (Examples)
Homophones: What Is a Homophone? (Meaning and Examples)
Determiners: What Are Determiners? Definition and Examples
Verb Tense: What Is Verb Tense? Definition and Types (Examples)
Modal Verbs: What Are Modal Verbs? Definition and Examples
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs: Definition and Examples
Imperative Sentences: What Are Imperative Sentences? Definition and Examples
Phrases: What Are Phrases?

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Colons in References, Times, Ratios, and Titles

Colons in references, ratios, times, and titles, colons in references.

Genesis 1:1 starts "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
This topic is covered in Encyclopaedia Britannica 3:21-23 .
Learn Chapter XIV:Section 4:Paragraph 6 by tomorrow.

Colons in Ratios

It's myth that the ratio of women to men in Nottingham is 6:1 .
5:3 is close to the Golden Ratio, which is represented by the Greek letter phi (Φ)
The happiest hour of the day is between 19:00 and 20:00 .
The marathon world record is 2:02:57 .
The 800m world record is 1:40.91 .
The alarm clock is set for 07:30 .

Colons in Titles

"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"
"How To Get Your Own Way: Who's Manipulating You?"
"Grammar Rules: Writing with Military Precision"

colons as separators in references, times, ratios, and titles

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

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Semicolon vs. Colon: Understand the Difference

Are you having a hard time understanding when to use a colon or semicolon? This guide will explain everything in simple terms, so you can use these punctuation marks in your writing confidently and correctly.

White text over purple background reads: Colons vs. Semicolons.

Colons and Semicolons: Table of Contents

Colons vs. semicolons, understanding independent clauses, how to use a semicolon in a sentence, how to use a colon in a sentence, colon vs. semicolon: brief summary.

Have you searched high and low for a clear answer on the difference between colons and semicolons, but are still unsure how to use them correctly? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

This blog post will explain everything as simply and straightforwardly as possible, so you can finally learn how to use colons and semicolons properly in your writing. But how will we do that? First, we’ll briefly review what independent clauses are, which are necessary to understand if you want to use semicolons correctly.

Then, we’ll provide easy explanations along with examples to show you how to use colons and semicolons once and for all!

Let’s get started.

If you would like to learn when to use semicolons instead of colons, you must know what independent clauses are.

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence. It makes sense on its own and does not require another clause.

"I enjoy reading books" is an independent clause.

Independent clauses don’t need any other clauses to make sense.

But why is this important to know?

Because if you’re trying to link independent clauses to show a close connection between them, then you should use a semicolon, not a colon. We’ll elaborate below.

A semicolon creates a pause that’s longer than a comma, but not as strong as the complete pause of a period. It can be used to show a connection between independent clauses or to separate items in a series that contains other punctuation.

A semicolon looks like a dot on top of a comma.

A semicolon is a punctuation mark that looks like a period (dot) with a comma under it.

1. Use Semicolons to Show a Connection Between Independent Clauses

A semicolon can show a close connection between related ideas.

He loves to play the piano ; it’s his favorite instrument.

My daughter loves eating pizza ; she asks for it every day.

We enjoyed our time at the park ; it was a beautiful day.

It’s Jeremiah’s birthday today ; we’re celebrating at the beach.

Cooking is my passion ; I especially love to cook for my family.

In the examples above, the clauses before and after the semicolon can stand alone as complete sentences. However, the semicolon is used to show that they are closely related.

2. Use Semicolons To Separate Items in a Series That Contains Other Punctuation

Typically, commas are used to separate items in a series.

Karen, Mary, and Jack all played extraordinarily well in today’s game.

But if the series contains several punctuations, it may be hard to follow.

Many players did well in today’s game, including Mary, who is the team captain, John, the goalkeeper, and Sarah, who is the defender.

A semicolon makes the sentence easier to understand.

Many players did well in today’s game; Mary, the team captain; John, the goalkeeper; and Sarah, the defender.

Keep in mind that when separating a dependent (or subordinate) clause from an independent clause, you should use a comma instead of a semicolon.

The technology allows students to use one application to apply to several schools ; thus streamlining the application process.

The technology allows students to use one application to apply to several schools , thus streamlining the application process.

So, we’ve covered how to correctly use semicolons; we’re halfway through! Now, let’s go over how to use colons in a sentence.

This is a colon: two dots on top of each other.

A colon looks like one period (dot) on top of another.

Colons have a few different uses, which we’ll explain below.

1. Use a colon to introduce an explanation or example.

My best friend has a 150-pound dog : a mastiff from the Canary Islands called a Presa Canario, which is often used as a guard dog, but can also be trained to herd cattle and sheep.

I have one dish that I enjoy making the most : mushroom risotto.

In the examples above, the clauses that come after the colon cannot stand on their own. In other words, they’re dependent clauses. However, if they were independent clauses, it would be best to use a semicolon (in most cases).

2. Use a colon to introduce a list or a quotation.

Next year I will be traveling to three different countries: Egypt, Brazil, and Japan.

Before he left, my tutor left me with some words of wisdom: “It’s better to be alone while standing for the truth, than to go along with a lie just to fit in with a group.”

Colons can also precede bulleted lists.

Additionally, it’s important to know that it’s also common for a comma to precede a quote. So, how do you decide when to use a comma or colon?

If the sentence that precedes the quota can stand alone (as in the example above), you can use a colon. If it can’t stand on its own, use a comma.

Before he left, he said, “It’s better to be alone while standing for the truth, than to go along with a lie just to fit in with a group.”

3. Use a colon to separate elements

Hours, minutes, and seconds: 6:00 PM

Ratios: 4:1

Bible Verses: Matthew 6:19

Titles and Subtitles: Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proved Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones

Do not use a colon to separate a verb from the object or complement of the sentence (unless, of course, the object is a quotation).

She enjoys: cooking, reading, and writing.

She enjoys cooking, reading, and writing.

Moreover, do not put a colon between a preposition and its object, or after phrases like including or such as.

My dog was roaming happily in : the field of tall grass.

My dog was roaming happily in the field of tall grass.

She has many hobbies, including: going to the park and sleeping all day.

She has many hobbies, including going to the parking and sleeping all day.

Voilà! Now you know how to use colons and semicolons correctly. We covered a lot, so here’s a helpful summary:

Use semicolons to convey a close relationship between independent clauses.
Semicolons can introduce a series that contains other punctuation.
Use colons to present an explanation, example, list, or quotation.
Colons are also used to separate elements, like the hours, minutes, and seconds.

As long as you keep those points in mind, you’ll be able to use colons and semicolons correctly in your writing.

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How and When to Use a Colon (With Examples)

| Candace Osmond

| Grammar , Punctuation

Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

English has several kinds of punctuation, one of which is the colon (:). Contrary to popular belief, this punctuation mark’s function is easy to remember: it introduces additional information after a complete thought.

Nope, this colon post isn’t about your internal organs! Keep reading to learn the different functions of the colon as a punctuation mark and how to use it in a sentence.

What is a Colon?

A colon is a punctuation mark whose symbol resembles two periods on top of each other (:). It’s often known as an introductory punctuation mark. Colons show the audience pieces of information that clarify the previous statement.

This punctuation mark is also helpful for separating independent clauses from quotations. You’ll find it in time expressions, Bible verses, and movie and book titles.

Colon comes from the Greek word kōlon. It means a part of a clause, verse, or limb, specifically a leg. Keith Houston, an author, stated that it originated in the third century BC in the Hellenic Egyptian city of Alexandria.

How to Use a Colon?

Use a colon to show dialogue or emphasis in your writing. You may also use it to introduce lists, clarify titles, and separate two independent clauses in sentences.

Common Uses of Colon

Imagine the colon as an arrow pointing to an essential detail in the sentence. Here are the common usages of this punctuation mark.

Emphasizes Dialogue

In English grammar, a colon is a proper punctuation for showing dialogue. Write the speaker’s name, add the colon, then their statement. Check out the example below.

Mike: Graduate students need at least one mentor to guide them in different career possibilities.

Jane: I agree. A mentor will also help them craft their Plan of Study.

Rory: Peers are more important for me. Joining groups will help graduate student enhance their learning experience.

To Restate or Clarify a Formal Statement

If you feel like you need to explain or restate something in another independent clause, a colon is your best friend. An independent clause, for reference, is a clause that stands as a single sentence.

Remember to capitalize the first letter of both independent clauses as if they are separate sentences.

The company only wanted to say one thing: Refunds take 30 days of processing and validation.
There are three variants of bodily muscles: smooth, cardiac, and skeletal.

Before Appositives

In the English language, appositives are nouns or noun phrases that give information about the earlier noun. Use a colon at a sentence’s ending to emphasize an appositive.

The principal thinks the school should have one priority: the welfare of students.
My wife packs my everyday lunch: a grilled chicken sandwich, Reese’s, and an apple.
This house is how I imagined my childhood dream home: porch swing, good lighting, and arched doorways.

Introduces a Question

Use a colon at a statement’s ending to introduce a question.

But the frequent question many people ask is this: How much budget should be allotted for scientific research?
The question remains: What are the social ramifications of conservative values?
This study aims to solve a single question: Should high school students be required to volunteer?
The professor asked two questions for the assignment: What does proper grammar mean, and what are the rules of grammar?

Take a look at the above examples, especially the last sentence. The statement after the colon explains the “two questions” in the previous statement.

It has its own subject and verb. That means it can stand alone as a sentence despite the question variety. Therefore, the word after the colon starts with a big letter.

Introduces a List

One of the most common colon functions is that it can introduce lists or tabular material. It comes before the numbered or bulleted list of items. Take a look at the example of a formal list below.

There are many types of letters:

Formal business letter.
Letter of application.
Letter of excuse.
Less-formal letters.

Here’s an example of a numbered list that uses a colon.

The five most common punctuation marks are:

Question mark.
Comma.
Colon.

If you want to use a sentence instead of a list, separate the items with commas.

Introduces Quotations

Colons introduce quotations after an independent clause. Do not use a colon for a quote after a dependent clause. Instead, use a comma.

But if the introduction is a dependent clause and the quotation is at least one sentence, you may use both colon, or comma .

Whatever rule you follow, do not forget the quotation marks. And observe capitalization after colons if the quotation is a complete sentence. Use a lowercase letter if it’s only one word or a sentence fragment.

Incorrect: The assistant said: “You have a difficult job, Ariel.”
Correct: The assistant told me a secret: “I think you have a nice style.”
Incorrect: According to Leila: “Everyone should be given more time during tests for student success.”
Correct: Leila made a great point: “Everyone should be given more time during tests for student success.”

The punctuation mark is also useful for starting extended quotations. This type of quotation does not use quotations marks but an indention from the left margin. Below is an example.

The theater actor mentioned his favorite quotation from Shakespeare:

If music be the food of love, play on,
Give me excess of it; that surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken and so die.

Separates Independent Clauses

Use a colon between an introductory clause and another clause or phrase that emphasizes the thought.

You should also begin the clause with a capital letter if the clause after the colon is a complete sentence or proper noun.

But it can also be a matter of style. In British English, the style is still lowercase if the following explanatory statement is a complete sentence. Merriam-Webster’s style also follows lowercase.

Jessica Alba has two daughters: Honor Marie and Haven Garner.
The participants have agreed on the outcome: send out consent forms.
The respondents made the next step: They signed the project logs.
I have two tasks for today: read more grammar articles to know the laws of grammar and fix my desk.

Bibliography Entries in Different Citation Styles

Many style guides use a colon to put different pieces of information apart in the bibliography.

Le Guin, Ursula K., 1929-2018. The Left Hand of Darkness. New York: Ace Science Fiction Books, 19871969.
Rowling, J.K. (1999) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. New York: Scholastic.

Colons in Titles, Units of Time, and More

You’ll also find lots of colons in titles. Among the many types of punctuation marks, colons are the most common on headings. If you’re a fan of franchise movies or TV series, you’ve probably seen colons in them.

Captain America: Civil War.
Star Wars: Episode IV

The subheadings of a writing piece also use colons to introduce them.

Module 3: Cross-sectional Studies
Prisons are Purposeless: An Argumentative Essay on Why Prisons don’t Work.
English Perfection: A Grammar Resource.

One of the most common rules of colon usage is the representation of time. These forms of punctuation are found in Bible verses and ratios too.

The perfect times to visit me are 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM.
I’m currently reading Genesis 3:2.
Our ratio of teachers to students is 1:5

Common Colon Mistakes

Aside from knowing when to use a colon, it’s also helpful to know when to avoid it. Here are some types of sentences that show punctuation mistakes.

Separating Basic Sentence Parts

A colon should not divide the noun and verb, verb and object or subject complement, and subject from predicate.

Incorrect: The places I want to visit are: Tokyo, Bali, and the Maldives.

This colon in the sentence unnecessarily separates the subject from the subject complement. There are two methods to correct it.

First, you can create a list.

The places I want to visit are:

The Maldives.

You can also remove the colon, as in “The places I want to visit are Tokyo, Bali, and the Maldives.”

It’s also wrong to separate the preposition and its object with a colon.

Incorrect: This drink is made of: orange juice, dry red wine, apple, and brown sugar.
Correct: This drink is made of orange juice, dry red wine, apple, and brown sugar.

To Show Sentence Introductions Through Phrases

You cannot use a colon for your introductory phrase. It’s also not suitable for marking bonus phrases in a sentence. These rules are only for dashes.

Incorrect: Notebook, laptop, reading material, pens: Many students bring these tools to school.
Correct: Notebook, laptop, reading material, pen–many students bring these tools to school.

The first sentence implies notebooks, laptops, and pens, saying, “Many students bring these tools to schools.”

Still making mistakes? I recommend Grammarly to help with any punctuation or grammar errors.

Separating Unnecessary Parts of a Sentence

Colons do not separate unnecessary parts of a sentence. It is the parentheses’ job to consider the enclosed material as unnecessary.

The man finally visited his favorite country: Switzerland.
The man finally visited his favorite country (Switzerland).

Use the colon as material for emphasis on “Switzerland.” Meanwhile, use parentheses to place less focus on “Switzerland.”

Using a Colon After a Sentence Fragment

The absolute rule is that only an independent sentence can precede a colon. You should never use colons after sentence fragments.

That Wendy enjoys ice cream flavors: cookie dough, vanilla, chocolate.
She enjoys movies like: Easy A, Emma, and Mamma Mia.

After “Such as,” “Including,” “Especially,” and More

The material before the colon should be a complete statement. But this colon usage violates that rule. Here’s an example:

The company is making scientific leaps, such as: exploring renewable energy and producing eco-friendly vehicles.

The previous sentence is wrong because you can omit the phrase “such as.” The correct sentence should be “The company is making scientific leaps: exploring renewable energy and producing eco-friendly vehicles.”

Incorrect: This cake is made of organic ingredients, including: carrots, goat cheese, and organic multigrain flour.
Correct: This cake is made of organic ingredients: carrots, goat cheese, and organic multigrain flour.
Incorrect: I am amazed by the event details, especially: the colorful peonies, silverware, and the birthday cake.
Correct: I am surprised by the event details: the bright peonies, silverware, and the birthday cake.

Examples of Colons in a Sentence

Here are some examples of how different publications use colons in their sentences.

Our updates include:

the Sustainable Farming Incentive in 2022
Landscape Recovery and Local Nature Recovery
the Lump Sum Exit scheme ( UK Government ).

Climate change and violence can also be interrelated factors: in Honduras, for example, where repeated droughts linked to climate change have increased food insecurity, widespread violence prevents families from moving elsewhere in the country safely. ( Human Rights Watch )

The movie is based on “Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End,” a 2014 non-fiction book about end-of-life care written by surgeon Atul Gawande. ( USA Today ).

He said: “Over the last 15 years, I’ve seen her mobility stripped; seen the day she stopped walking independently; the day she started living in a wheelchair; the day she moved into residential care. ( BBC )

Among the trends that excite Papilion:

the growing integration of climate change into investor strategies and financial regulation,
WSP’s continuing evolution into a top advisory and consulting firm for sustainability and climate change mitigation and risk management, and

greater incorporation of resiliency and conservation into large public- and private-sector projects. ( CSR Wire )

Use the Colon Properly

Unlike the period or comma, you won’t always find the colon in most sentences. That’s why some people are unaware of this punctuation mark’s functions. I hope this post has shown you the colon basics, including its usage and how to use it in a sentence.

Before using the colon, ask yourself, can the group of words preceding the colon stand on its own? If it can, then pat yourself on the back for using the punctuation mark correctly!

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A question regarding colon usage twice in a title

In the article title below, can the second colon be replaced with some other punctuation?

Description of the eurotarget cohort: A european collaborative project on targeted therapy in renal cell cancer: Genetic and tumour related biomarkers for response and toxicity

punctuation
writing-style

1 Wouldn't it be better to replace the first colon? A comma could work in its place. – Peter Shor Commented Mar 21, 2017 at 12:02
1 These days, punctuation is largely considered to be a matter of style, and this certainly applies to the use of colons. So, the answer is "it's up to you." Of course, an academic journal may have their own opinions (and hopefully, a style guide). – Mick Commented Mar 21, 2017 at 12:06
What do these colons mean? 'ie', 'which involves', 'which includes'? – Edwin Ashworth Commented Mar 21, 2017 at 20:09
You don't need to call the article "Description of X" any more than you need to entitle it "An Article About X". – Stuart F Commented Nov 20, 2023 at 20:16

2 Answers 2

The Chicago Manual of Style , sixteenth edition (2010) addresses this question somewhat obliquely, by limiting its style advice to what it refers to "two subtitles" within a title. After asserting (at 14.97 ) that "A colon, also italicized, is used to separate the main title from the subtitle," Chicago addresses the situation where a single title appears to have two subtitles:

14.98 Two subtitles. If, as occasionally happens, there are two subtitles in the original (an awkward contingency), a colon normally follows the first and a semicolon the second. The second also begins with a capital [as does the first]. Sereny, Gitta. Cries Unheard: Why Children Kill; The Story of Mary Bell . New York: Metropolitan Books / Henry Holt, 1999.

Although Chicago explicitly frames this advice as a way to handle such titles in a bibliography, there is nothing special about bibliographies that would forbid double colons there but not in regular text.

Chicago doesn't explain its dislike of double colons, but I suspect that the hostility arises involves the lack of clear hierarchical subordination that arises from a title rendered as X: Y: Z . Does the colon after Y indicate that Z is a subtitle of Y and a subsubtitle of X , or is Z on the same footing as Y as a subtitle of X ? The colon/semicolon form, X: Y; X , indicates rather more clearly that Y and Z are on an equal footing as subtitles of X —just as in a list, where "the following: X ; Y ; Z " clearly marshals hierarchically equal-status entries X , Y , and Z . In contrast, "the following: X : Y : Z " is (by normal conventions of punctuation) fatally ambiguous with regard to hierarchical meaning.

Applying the Chicago style recommendation to your title, we get this:

Description of the eurotarget cohort: A european collaborative project on targeted therapy in renal cell cancer; Genetic and tumour related biomarkers for response and toxicity

With regard tog whether the G in Genetic should remain capped, Chicago advises simply that titles treated with sentence-style capitalization should begin "a subtitle" with an initial cap; it doesn't consider whether the subtitle in question is the only one, the first of two, or the second of two:

8.156 Principles and examples of sentence style capitalization. In sentence style capitalization only the first word in a title, the first word in a subtitle, and any proper names are capitalized. ...

From this, I infer that Chicago would approve of capping the G in Genetic in your example.

the eurotarget cohort: a european collaborative project on targeted therapy in renal cell cancer using genetic and tumour-related biomarkers for response and toxicity

I can't recall seeing a title with more than one colon in a carefully edited publication. In the revised example above, the colon indicates that what follows it elaborates on what precedes it. In the recast elaboration, the word "using" removes any need for a second colon in the title.

Thanks again to @sven for suggesting I explain the revised example.

1 +1 for revisiting the answer and offering an explanation of the thinking behind the the suggested wording. – Sven Yargs Commented Mar 22, 2017 at 16:17

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Punctuation Marks in Writing: Essential Guide for Flawless Essay

Table of contents

0.0.1 Key points to be covered:
1 What Is Punctuation?
2 Common Punctuation Marks
3.1 Other Places to Use Commas:
4 Comma Splice
6 Apostrophe
7 Quotation Mark
8.1 Question Mark
8.2 Exclamation Point
9.2 En Dash
9.3 Em Dash
10.1 Parenthesis ( )
10.2 Bracket [ ]
10.3 Braces { }
11 Ellipsis
13 Semicolon
14 Capitalization
15 Make Your Essay Stunning with Accurate Punctuation Marks

Are you struggling to master punctuation in your essays, assignments, or written work? Look no further! In this article, we will explore the importance of punctuation and how PapersOwl can assist you in acing this vital aspect of writing.

Punctuation is crucial in conveying your texts’ meaning, clarity, and coherence. Whether you struggle with commas, semicolons, or dashes, PapersOwl is here to help. With their expert writing assistance and comprehensive proofreading services, you can enhance your punctuation skills and elevate the quality of your academic or professional work.

Let’s dive in and discover the different punctuation marks and why PapersOwl can be your ultimate punctuation companion.

Key points to be covered:

How to use punctuation correctly
The significance of punctuation in effective writing
Common punctuation mistakes to avoid
Enhancing clarity and coherence through proper punctuation
Tips for mastering punctuation in essays, assignments, and more

What Is Punctuation?

Punctuation refers to the marks and symbols used in formal writing to enhance clarity, convey meaning, and guide the reader’s understanding. It includes commonly recognized punctuation marks such as commas, periods, question marks, and exclamation points.

Proper punctuation is crucial in English language academic writing essays, as it helps structure ideas, organize information, and maintain coherence. PaperOwl follows all essential rules in academic essays to give your work a professional and clean look. Rest assured, with us, scoring high grades is inevitable.

Common Punctuation Marks

Common punctuation marks play a fundamental role in written communication. They include the comma, period, question mark, exclamation point, and colon. Here are the most common punctuation marks you need to know about:

A comma serves various purposes in a sentence. It clarifies and organizes the sentence by indicating natural pauses and separating different sentence parts.

Incorrect: I went to the store and bought some groceries.

Correct: I went to the store, and I bought some groceries.

A comma is missing between the two independent clauses in the incorrect example. Adding a comma, as shown in the correct example, separates two sentences appropriately and improves clarity.

Point to Remember:

Use commas purposefully, avoiding overuse or omission. Proper comma usage enhances readability and ensures clarity in your writing.

Other Places to Use Commas:

To separate items in a series:

Her favorite colors are red, blue, and green.

To set off introductory elements:

After finishing her work, she went for a walk.

To indicate a pause between two sentences in a compound sentence:

He studied hard, but he didn’t pass the exam.

To separate coordinate adjectives:

She wore a beautiful, elegant dress to the party.

To set off nonessential information:

John, my best friend, is coming over for dinner.

To indicate direct address:

Mom, I need your help with this math problem.

Comma Splice

A comma splice occurs when two complete sentences are joined together using only a comma, without a coordinating conjunction or correct punctuation.

Incorrect: I enjoy hiking, it helps me relax.

Correct: I enjoy hiking. It helps me relax.

In the incorrect example, the two independent clauses “I enjoy hiking” and “it helps me relax” are incorrectly joined with only a comma. The correct example shows the appropriate separation of the two sentences into separate sentences or the use of coordinating conjunctions like “and” or “but” to connect them.

Point to Remember: Avoid using a comma alone to join two independent sentences. Instead, use a coordinating conjunction (such as “and,” “but,” “or”) or separate the clauses into individual sentences.

Comma splices can be found in various writing situations, such as:

Combining two complete sentences with a comma:

Incorrect: She loves swimming, it’s her favorite activity.

Correct: She loves swimming. It’s her favorite activity.

Using a comma to separate ideas in a series of complex phrases:

Incorrect: He was tired, he had worked late, he needed rest.

Correct: He was tired because he had worked late, and he needed rest.

Joining independent clauses in compound sentences without proper punctuation:

Incorrect: We went to the beach, the weather was perfect.

Correct: We went to the beach, and the weather was perfect.

In each incorrect example, a comma joins independent clauses without proper punctuation. The correct examples demonstrate the use of appropriate punctuation, such as replacing the comma with a period or using a coordinating conjunction (like “because” or “and”) to connect the clauses.

A period is a correct punctuation mark that indicates the end of a declarative sentence or an imperative sentence that is not a command. It is a small dot placed at the end of a sentence.

Incorrect: She is going to the store. To buy some groceries.

Correct: She is going to the store to buy some groceries.

In the incorrect example, an unnecessary space exists before the period, creating an error. The correct example demonstrates the proper placement of the period without any additional spaces.

Point to Remember: Always place a period at the end of a complete sentence to signify its conclusion.

Other places a period is used:

Abbreviations: e.g., Mr., Dr.
Decimal numbers: 3.14, 25.50
Acronyms: NASA, FBI
Website addresses: www.example.com

Apostrophes, which look like single quotation marks, have multiple uses in English writing. It primarily indicates possession or apostrophe replaces letters in contractions.

Incorrect: The dog’s are barking loudly.

Correct: The dogs are barking loudly.

In the incorrect example, the apostrophe is incorrectly placed before the “s” in “dogs,” suggesting possession instead of indicating the plural form. The correct example demonstrates the absence of the apostrophe when showing the plural noun.

Point to Remember: Use an apostrophe to show possession by adding ‘s to the noun, except for plural nouns ending in “s,” where only an apostrophe is added. For contractions, use an apostrophe to replace omitted letters.

Other places where the apostrophe is used:

Possessiveness: John’s book, the cat’s toy
Contractions: can’t (cannot), don’t (do not), it’s (it is)
Numbers and omissions: ’80s (1980s), rock ‘n’ roll (rock and roll)
When apostrophe is not used: pronouns (hers, its), plurals (dogs, cats), decades (the 1990s)

Quotation Mark

The question mark is used at the end of a sentence to indicate a direct question.

Incorrect: She said, “I love cooking”.

Correct: She said, “I love cooking.”

The closing quotation mark is missing in the incorrect example, resulting in incorrect punctuation. The correct example includes the opening and closing quotation marks, properly enclosing the direct speech.

Point to Remember: Use double quotation marks (” “) to enclose direct speech, dialogue, or a quotation within a sentence.

Other places quotation marks are used:

Long direct quotations: When using quotation marks , a substantial amount of text (typically four or more lines) uses block indentation or formatting instead of quotation marks.
Direct quotations: Use quotation marks to enclose the exact words spoken by someone.
Indirect quotations: When paraphrasing or summarizing someone’s words or ideas, quotation marks are unnecessary.

For example:

Long direct quotation: According to the author, “The story begins…”
Direct quotation: She exclaimed, “I can’t believe it!”
Indirect quotation: He mentioned that he was excited about the upcoming event.

Question and Exclamation

Question mark.

The question mark is a punctuation mark used at the end of a sentence to indicate a direct question.

Incorrect: She is coming to the party right?

Correct: Is she coming to the party?

In the incorrect example, the question mark is incorrectly placed at the end of a statement instead of forming a direct question. The correct example uses the question mark to properly indicate an interrogative sentence, asking whether the person mentioned is coming to the party.

Point to Remember: Use a question mark at the end of a sentence to indicate a direct question.

Question marks are also used in various cases, such as rhetorical questions, indirect questions, and to express uncertainty or doubt. They can also be used in certain expressions or phrases that convey a questioning tone or seek clarification. For example, “Who doesn’t love a good cup of coffee in the morning?”

Exclamation Point

Exclamatory sentences or exclamation marks express strong emotions, surprise, emphasis, or exclamatory statements.

Incorrect: The cake is delicious!

Correct: Wow! The cake is absolutely delicious!

In the incorrect example, the exclamation mark is used to state a fact without conveying a strong emotion. The correct example adds an enthusiastic “Wow!” to show genuine excitement and emphasize just how delicious the cake truly is.

Point to Remember: Use an exclamation mark to express strong emotions, excitement, emphasis, or exclamatory statements.

Hyphen and Dash (En dash, Em dash)

A hyphen (-) is used to combine words or parts of words and create compound adjectives and words.

Incorrect: The well-known scientist.

Correct: The well-known scientist.

An en dash (–) indicates a range or connection between two things, such as numbers, dates, or places.

Incorrect: The event is scheduled for 5-7pm.

Correct: The event is scheduled for 5–7 pm.

An em dash (—) is a versatile punctuation mark that indicates a significant break in thought or a parenthetical statement. It is usually written without spaces on either side, although some style guides do recommend using spaces.

When in doubt, opt for no spaces, and make sure you’re consistent throughout your text, whatever you choose. The em dash can add emphasis or drama to a sentence—drawing attention to an important point—or it can create a strong interruption in thought.

Incorrect: She packed her bags – which were brand new – and left.

Correct: She packed her bags—which were brand new—and left.

Other places where Hyphens and Dash are used:

Hyphen: Used in compound words (e.g., well-known), prefixes (e.g., pre-existing), and suffixes (e.g., self-confidence).
En Dash: Used to indicate a range (e.g., pages 10–15), connections between places (e.g., New York–London), or connections between dates (e.g., 2010–2015).
Em Dash: Used to set off parenthetical statements (e.g., She—along with her friends—decided to go), indicate a sudden change in thought, or create emphasis in a sentence.

Parenthesis, Bracket, Braces

Parenthesis ( ).

Parentheses are punctuation marks that enclose additional or explanatory information within a sentence.

Incorrect: The weather is nice (I hope so).

Correct: The weather is nice (I hope so).

Bracket [ ]

Brackets are punctuation marks that enclose inserted information or editorial comments within a quoted text.

Incorrect: She said, “I am [not] going to the party.”

Correct: She said, “I am not going to the party.”

Braces are punctuation marks used in mathematics, programming, or to show sets or groups.

Incorrect: The equation {x + 2 = 5} is solved.

Correct: The equation x + 2 = 5 is solved.

Parenthesis: Use parentheses to enclose additional or explanatory information that is not essential to the main sentence but provides extra context or clarification.
Bracket: Use brackets to enclose inserted information within a quotation, especially when the inserted content is not part of the original quotation.
Braces: Use braces in mathematics, programming, or to indicate sets or groups.

Other places where Parenthesis, Brackets, and Braces are used:

Parenthesis: Used in writing to clarify or provide additional information (e.g., “The concert (which was sold out) was amazing.”).
Bracket: Used in quotations to add editorial comments or clarifications (e.g., “He said, ‘I am [not] going to the party.'”).
Braces: Used in mathematics or programming to indicate sets or groupings (e.g., “{1, 2, 3}” represents a set of numbers).

An ellipsis (…), or three periods, consists of three dots that indicate the omission of words, a pause, or trailing off in thought.

Incorrect: I went to the store and bought… milk, bread, and eggs.

Correct: I went to the store and bought… milk, bread, and eggs.

The ellipsis is incorrectly placed after “bought,” disrupting the sentence flow in the incorrect example. The correct example shows the proper use of an ellipsis to indicate an omission.

Point to Remember: Use an ellipsis to indicate the omission of words in a quotation, pause, or trailing off in thought. An ellipsis usually consists of three dots with spaces between each dot.

Other places Ellipses are used:

In literature: “She whispered, ‘I love you… forever.'”
In quotations: “To be, or not to be…”

A colon (:) is a punctuation mark consisting of two dots, one above the other. It is primarily used to introduce or emphasize information in a sentence.

Incorrect: She went to the store: milk, bread, and eggs.

Correct: She went to the store and bought the essentials: milk, bread, and eggs.

In the incorrect example, the colon is misused to separate the subject from the bought items. The correct example demonstrates the proper use of a colon to introduce a list.

Point to Remember: Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce or emphasize information that follows it. The colon indicates that what comes after it is closely related to and expands upon what precedes it.

Other places Colon is used:

In time expressions: The train departs at 9:00 AM: don’t be late.
In titles and subtitles: Chapter 3: The Final Showdown.
In ratios or proportions: The recipe calls for a 2:1 flour-to-water ratio.
In formal greetings or salutations: To Whom It May Concern:
In biblical references: John 3:16 is a well-known verse.

A semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark that functions as a stronger pause than a comma but not as final as a period. It joins closely related independent clauses or separates items in a series when the items contain internal punctuation.

Incorrect: She loves reading books; her favorite genre is fantasy.

Correct: She loves reading books; however, her favorite genre is fantasy.

In the incorrect example, the semicolon in order custom writing is used incorrectly to join an independent clause with a dependent clause. The correct example demonstrates the proper use of a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses.

Point to Remember: Use a semicolon to connect two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction or to separate items in a series when the items contain internal punctuation.

Other places Semicolon is used:

To separate items in a series when the items contain commas:

The restaurant offers various options: pasta with tomato sauce, a classic Italian dish; pizza with mushrooms, onions, and olives; and salad with feta cheese, walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette.

Capitalization

Capitalization is using capital letters (uppercase) at the beginning of a word to signify its importance or to distinguish it from other words in a sentence.

Incorrect: i went to the store to buy groceries.

Correct: I went to the store to buy groceries.

In the incorrect example, the sentence starts with a lowercase “i” instead of the capitalized “I.” The correct example demonstrates the proper capitalization of the pronoun “I.”

Point to Remember: Capitalize the first letter of a sentence, proper nouns (names of people, places, organizations), and the pronoun “I.” Lowercase letters are used for common nouns unless they are part of a title or heading.

Other places Capitalization is used:

Titles: Capitalize the main words in titles of books, articles, movies, etc. (e.g., “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”).
Proper adjectives: Capitalize adjectives derived from proper nouns (e.g., American cuisine, Shakespearean sonnets).
Acronyms: Capitalize all letters in acronyms (e.g., NASA, UNESCO).
Days, months, and holidays: Capitalize the names of days (e.g., Monday), months (e.g., January), and holidays (e.g., Christmas).

Make Your Essay Stunning with Accurate Punctuation Marks

Now you know how to use proper punctuation. Proper grammar and punctuation play a crucial role in enhancing the quality and impact of your essay. Accurate punctuation ensures clarity, coherence, and readability. To make your essay truly shine, consider utilizing professional editing services.

If you want to edit any paper from a professional service provider, PaperOwl is the perfect option. We will meticulously review and polish your essays. Visit PapersOwl’s website to elevate the punctuation quality of your essay and take it to the next level.

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Title Page Setup

A title page is required for all APA Style papers. There are both student and professional versions of the title page. Students should use the student version of the title page unless their instructor or institution has requested they use the professional version. APA provides a student title page guide (PDF, 199KB) to assist students in creating their title pages.

Student title page

The student title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation, course number and name for which the paper is being submitted, instructor name, assignment due date, and page number, as shown in this example.

Title page setup is covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Section 2.3 and the Concise Guide Section 1.6

Related handouts

Student Title Page Guide (PDF, 263KB)
Student Paper Setup Guide (PDF, 3MB)

Student papers do not include a running head unless requested by the instructor or institution.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the student title page.


Paper title	Place the title three to four lines down from the top of the title page. Center it and type it in bold font. Capitalize of the title. Place the main title and any subtitle on separate double-spaced lines if desired. There is no maximum length for titles; however, keep titles focused and include key terms.
Author names	Place one double-spaced blank line between the paper title and the author names. Center author names on their own line. If there are two authors, use the word “and” between authors; if there are three or more authors, place a comma between author names and use the word “and” before the final author name.	Cecily J. Sinclair and Adam Gonzaga
Author affiliation	For a student paper, the affiliation is the institution where the student attends school. Include both the name of any department and the name of the college, university, or other institution, separated by a comma. Center the affiliation on the next double-spaced line after the author name(s).	Department of Psychology, University of Georgia
Course number and name	Provide the course number as shown on instructional materials, followed by a colon and the course name. Center the course number and name on the next double-spaced line after the author affiliation.	PSY 201: Introduction to Psychology
Instructor name	Provide the name of the instructor for the course using the format shown on instructional materials. Center the instructor name on the next double-spaced line after the course number and name.	Dr. Rowan J. Estes
Assignment due date	Provide the due date for the assignment. Center the due date on the next double-spaced line after the instructor name. Use the date format commonly used in your country.	October 18, 2020 18 October 2020
	Use the page number 1 on the title page. Use the automatic page-numbering function of your word processing program to insert page numbers in the top right corner of the page header.	1

Professional title page

The professional title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation(s), author note, running head, and page number, as shown in the following example.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the professional title page.


Paper title	Place the title three to four lines down from the top of the title page. Center it and type it in bold font. Capitalize of the title. Place the main title and any subtitle on separate double-spaced lines if desired. There is no maximum length for titles; however, keep titles focused and include key terms.
Author names	Place one double-spaced blank line between the paper title and the author names. Center author names on their own line. If there are two authors, use the word “and” between authors; if there are three or more authors, place a comma between author names and use the word “and” before the final author name.	Francesca Humboldt
Author names	When different authors have different affiliations, use superscript numerals after author names to connect the names to the appropriate affiliation(s). If all authors have the same affiliation, superscript numerals are not used (see Section 2.3 of the for more on how to set up bylines and affiliations).	Tracy Reuter , Arielle Borovsky , and Casey Lew-Williams
Author affiliation	For a professional paper, the affiliation is the institution at which the research was conducted. Include both the name of any department and the name of the college, university, or other institution, separated by a comma. Center the affiliation on the next double-spaced line after the author names; when there are multiple affiliations, center each affiliation on its own line.	Department of Nursing, Morrigan University
Author affiliation	When different authors have different affiliations, use superscript numerals before affiliations to connect the affiliations to the appropriate author(s). Do not use superscript numerals if all authors share the same affiliations (see Section 2.3 of the for more).	Department of Psychology, Princeton University Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University
Author note	Place the author note in the bottom half of the title page. Center and bold the label “Author Note.” Align the paragraphs of the author note to the left. For further information on the contents of the author note, see Section 2.7 of the .	n/a
	The running head appears in all-capital letters in the page header of all pages, including the title page. Align the running head to the left margin. Do not use the label “Running head:” before the running head.	Prediction errors support children’s word learning
	Use the page number 1 on the title page. Use the automatic page-numbering function of your word processing program to insert page numbers in the top right corner of the page header.	1

IMAGES

How do I format a title with a colon in it on a title page or in the
10 Colon Usage Rules Everyone Needs to Know
How do I format a title with a colon in it on a title page or in the
(DOC) APA Style Sixth Edition Template: This Is Just an Example Title
(PDF) What’s in a title? Number of words and the presence of colons
Use a Colon: Make a List, Note What Follows

COMMENTS

Punctuation with Titles
Titles and Subtitles. Section 1.2.1 of the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook says, "Use a colon and a space to separate a title from a subtitle, unless the title ends in a question mark or an exclamation point. Include other punctuation only if it is part of the title or subtitle.". The handbook provides the following examples:
How to Title an Essay, With Tips and Examples
In MLA format, your essay's title should be in title case. That means every principle word— words that aren't articles, prepositions, coordinating conjunctions, or the word "to" paired with an infinitive—is capitalized. The only exception to this is when one of these words is the first or last word in the essay's title.
Whether to use colons in titles : eloquentscience.com
Titles should be appropriately balanced with the style and content of the article. The colon is commonly used to expand on the core idea of the title or present a cool statement or image to draw in a reader. There is some debate about the appropriateness of the colon in the titles of some disciplines.
When to Use a Colon (:), with Examples
Use a colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list. It is often used after expressions like "as follows" and "the following.". Examples. Here are two things you will need in the apocalypse: tissues and moisturizer. The steps are as follows: first, cut the board to size; second, cut the legs and trim; third, glue legs and board ...
MLA Titles
Use quotation marks around the title if it is part of a larger work (e.g. a chapter of a book, an article in a journal, or a page on a website). All major words in a title are capitalized. The same format is used in the Works Cited list and in the text itself. When you use the Scribbr MLA Citation Generator, the correct formatting and ...
When To Use a Colon: Rules and Examples
We'll get to semicolons later. Colons (:) introduce clauses or phrases that serve to describe, amplify, or restate what precedes them. Often they are used to introduce a quote or a list that satisfies the previous statement. For example, this summary could be written as "Colons can introduce many things: descriptors, quotes, lists, and more."
When to Use a Colon: 10 Rules You Should Follow
You will only capitalize the first letter only when it is followed by a proper noun and one complete clause. Lastly, in AMA style, when you use a colon, capitalize the first word after the colon. Examples: Jackie Collins (1998)Thrill.New York: Simon and Schuster. Prince Harry (2023)Spare.USA: Penguin Random House.
How to Title an Essay: Tips and Examples
The main goal of a title is to name its paper. There is no need to tell an entire story in the title, or provide any useless details. Sum up your paper in a few words! Another way to do this is to sum up your thesis statement, as it represents the main idea of your essay. Take your thesis and squeeze it into 3-4 words.
Colons: How to Use Them
Introducing a Series or List. Use a colon with the phrases as follows and the following. To make a cake you need the following ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, leavener, and salt. Combine the ingredients as follows: first, cream the butter with the sugar; second, add the eggs and milk; third, add the flour, leavener, and salt.
Colon Punctuation Rules: Grammar Guide
British vs American English Use of a Colon. Most punctuation rules are the same for both British English and American English. The only difference in how a colon is used is in time. In American English, we write times with a colon between the hour and minutes, e.g. 3:45. British English uses a period, also called a full stop, instead, e.g. 3.45.
Semicolons, colons, and dashes
Common uses of colons. 1. To announce, introduce, or direct attention to a list, a noun or noun phrase, a quotation, or an example/explanation. You can use a colon to draw attention to many things in your writing. The categories listed below often overlap, so don't worry too much about whether your intended use of the colon fits one category ...
When to Use a Colon (:)
Revised on July 19, 2023. A colon (:) can be used to introduce words, phrases, lists of items, explanations, and elaborations. It can also be used to introduce a quotation. In general, you can think of colons as saying "what comes next explains what came before.". A colon must be preceded by an independent clause: a fully formed thought ...
When to Use a Colon: Grammar Rules With Examples
6 Titles and subtitles A colon can be used to separate a movie, book, or another piece of work's title from its subtitle. Colon-oscopy: The Best Punctuation Puns When not to use a colon. A colon should not separate a noun from its verb, a verb from its object or subject complement, a preposition from its object, or a subject from its predicate.
When should a colon be used in the title of a manuscript?
In this case, the context is other titles in your target journal. So be consistent with them. Go through the 100 most recently-accepted published papers, and count how many have a colon in the title. If it's over 55, use a colon, if it's under 45, don't. And if it's between, do as you wish.
Where do I place the colon that separates the title from a subtitle if
If the title ends with a quotation mark, insert the colon between the quotation mark and the subtitle. In the first example below, the title consists of a quotation from Shakespeare. In the second example, the title contains the title of a short story: "To Be or Not to Be": A Study of Shakespeare's Hamlet William …
Colons: When to Use Colons in Writing (Examples)
You can also use colons to write the time or ratios, separate a title from its subtitle, or name a speaker. Only independent clauses can precede a colon. Capitalize the first word after the colon if it's a proper noun or a complete sentence. If you found this article helpful, check out our Grammar Book. It's a free online database of grammar ...
Colons & Semicolons
Use a colon at the end of a complete statement to introduce a question. Example: The primary question is this: Should we give up or keep working diligently toward our goal? Use a colon to separate a title from its subtitle. Example: Korea: A Country Divided. Use a colon after the salutation in a formal letter. Example: To whom it may concern:
Colons in References, Times, Ratios, and Titles
Colons in References. In a biblical reference, a colon separates chapter from verse. For example: Genesis 1:1 starts "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Note there is no space before or after the colon.) A colon is also used as a separator in a reading references. In a reading reference, the colon usually separates the ...
Learn How To Use a Colon and Semicolon (With Examples)
Use semicolons to convey a close relationship between independent clauses. Semicolons can introduce a series that contains other punctuation. Use colons to present an explanation, example, list, or quotation. Colons are also used to separate elements, like the hours, minutes, and seconds.
How and When to Use a Colon (With Examples)
Emphasizes Dialogue. In English grammar, a colon is a proper punctuation for showing dialogue. Write the speaker's name, add the colon, then their statement. Check out the example below. Mike: Graduate students need at least one mentor to guide them in different career possibilities. Jane: I agree.
punctuation
The Chicago Manual of Style, sixteenth edition (2010) addresses this question somewhat obliquely, by limiting its style advice to what it refers to "two subtitles" within a title.After asserting (at 14.97) that "A colon, also italicized, is used to separate the main title from the subtitle," Chicago addresses the situation where a single title appears to have two subtitles:
Punctuation Marks in Writing: Essential Guide for Flawless Essay
Colon. A colon (:) is a punctuation mark consisting of two dots, one above the other. It is primarily used to introduce or emphasize information in a sentence. Incorrect: She went to the store: milk, bread, and eggs. Correct: She went to the store and bought the essentials: milk, bread, and eggs.
When To Use Colons In Your Titles
A colon can also be used to clarify a composition title. The colon can expand your title so that it makes more sense. For example, the title, "The Impact Of AI On Titles: Leveraging AI to Assist ...
Title page setup
Example. Paper title. Place the title three to four lines down from the top of the title page. Center it and type it in bold font. Capitalize major words of the title. Place the main title and any subtitle on separate double-spaced lines if desired. There is no maximum length for titles; however, keep titles focused and include key terms.

Whether to use colons in titles

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When to Use a Colon (:)

What is the colon?

To introduce a list

To explain and amplify

Capitalization after a colon

For emphasis

Before a definition

Between a title and a subtitle

To introduce a quotation

To address someone

In dialogue and Q&A

To show time

In ratios and proportions

In citations

Colon vs. dash

Colon vs. semicolon

Colon vs. period

Misuse of colon

Examples from literature

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A Guide to Using Colons

What Is a Colon?

Colons Introduce Clauses and Phrases

How NOT to Use Colons

Colons Can Introduce Lists and Series

Colons Can Introduce Quotations

Word of the Day

Games & Quizzes

Punctuation

When to Use a Colon: 10 Rules You Should Follow

What Is a Colon?

When to Use a Colon

Introduce Extended Quotations

Connect Independent Clauses

Introducing a Bulleted /Numeral List

Directly Related Complete Sentences

Separate a Title and Subtitle

Emphasize a Dialogue

After a Salutation

Separate Hours and Minutes

Separate Information in a Bibliography

Before a Noun or Noun Phrase

When Not to Use a Colon

After a Sentence Fragment

After Such As, Including, More and Especially

Separate a Noun From Its Verb

After a Preposition

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