After the asThe two punctuation marks most frequently used inappropriately are semicolon and colonists. Entire books have been written on the “correct” use of these little marks. It is a miracle that no wars have been fought over them. There is even a movement in the upper levels of some ivory towers to take out one of them. However, until that happens, we technical writers have to use them and do it in a way that doesn’t get us in trouble with proofreaders, editors, or clients.

For this exercise, we will deal only with the colon. There is no space here to lay out all the various rules/opinions or to create a style guide on the subject. The intention of this exercise is to give an idea of ​​where we can break the “rules” about the use of colons. It can also help us see where some of the disagreements lie and decide where we stand on them.

Based on a few simple and generally agreed rules of use, the task is to decide whether or not each prize needs two points. The “correct” usage we provide is based on our version of Standard Written English (SWE). If you disagree and can support your position with a good style guide, we’re not going to argue.

Okay, in a nutshell, here are some guides for using a colon.

Most writers are familiar with the use of a colon to:

• separate hour and minute in a time reference –
  The train arrived at 6:43 in the morning.

• indicate a proportion –
  The correct ratio of gin to vermouth is 4:1.

• separate chapter and verse in a biblical reference –
  You can’t go wrong if you follow the advice of 1 Timothy 5:23

• follow the salutation in a formal letter –
  To the members of the Board:

Some people are not sure when a colon is used for:

• introduce lists – (In this usage, what comes before the colon must be a complete thought without the rest of the sentence. If it is a sentence but an incomplete thought, do not use a colon.) Correct: The old stereo had three speeds: 78, 45, and 33 1/3.Incorrect: The old stereo speeds were: 78, 45 and 33 1/3.

  Correct: He was fluent in two languages: Russian and Urdu.

  Incorrect: Could read: Russian, Greek and Urdu.

• introduce a noun or noun phrase that changes the name of another noun just before it at the end of a sentence – Correct: He was not expecting what hit him: a pumpkin. Incorrect: He did not expect it when they hit him: with a pumpkin
• insert a quote when it follows a complete sentence – Correct: My mother started every meal with the same comment: “Eat it or I’ll throw it to the pigs.”Incorrect: My mother started every meal with the same comment: “Eat it or I’ll throw it to the pigs.”
• separate a title from a subtitle – Correct: She was reading Playing the Oriental Lute: Basic Lessons from Too Ning.Incorrect: The title of the book was Betting on dogs through the eyes of a greyhound.
• separate two independent clauses when the second clause explains the first clause or gives an example – Correct: The advice my dad gave me was solid: don’t worry about the petty stuff and don’t pet the sweaty stuff.

  Incorrect: The advice my father gave me about: don’t worry about the petty stuff and don’t pet the sweaty stuff was sensible.

Read each of these sentences and decide if a colon is necessary and if it is in the right place.

1. There was only one thing that worried Mr. Colbert: exactly where the bear was at the moment.

2. Was responsible for: invitations, seating assignments, and greeting guests.

3. She was able to sing: pop, opera, country and soul.

4. He only had one need to survive: water.

5. They enjoyed challenges like: swimming, sailing, and rock climbing.

6. Never forget rule number one: the boss is always right.

7. You were given a choice of transportation: trains, planes, and cars, but you said you didn’t really want to travel.

8. To whom it may concern: not a good way to start a letter

9. Everything went wrong at once: the storm hit, the window broke, Jill dropped the lantern in the pond, and Hall let the cat slip out the door.

10. To Whom It May Concern:

When you’re done, check the answer below.

Exercise – Answer

Colon or no colon? That is the question.

1. Correct – There was only one thing that worried Mr. Colbert: exactly where the bear was at that moment.

2. Mistaken – Was responsible for: invitations, seat allocation and greeting guests.

3. Mistaken – He was able to sing: pop, opera, country and soul.

4. Correct – He only had one need to survive: water.

5. Mistaken – They enjoyed challenges such as: swimming, sailing and rock climbing.

6. Correct – Never forget rule number one: the boss is always right.

7. Mistaken – They gave him a choice of transportation: trains, planes and cars, but he said he really didn’t want to travel.

8. Mistaken – To Whom It May Concern: Not a good way to start a letter.

9. Correct – Everything went wrong at once: the storm hit, the window broke, Jill dropped the lantern in the pond, and Hall let the cat slip out the door.

10 Correct To whom It May Concern: