Page 38 - TARGET YOUR PUNCTUATION
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Target 9: Colons :
Colons are
used for
: :
introductions.
Colons are used to introduce a list of bullet points.
He has three wishes: On my desk there are: If the lists are
He wants to be rich. three pens just phrases or
He wants to be famous. four pencils single words, put
He wants to be tall. two folders. a full stop after
the last item.
Colons are used to introduce a list in a sentence.
(BUT, you can only use a colon if the words before it make sense on their own.
I need three things to fix the tap: a washer, a spanner and patience.
This is what I need. Here they are.
This part of the
sentence makes
sense on its own.
Colons are used to introduce a quote, a definition or an explanation.
Teachers often say: “Good punctuation will improve your work.”
Proofreading: reading over your work to look for mistakes.
There is only one thing to do: go back to the car and drive home.
Colons can be used to show who is speaking in a play script.
Nadir: Are you going on the school trip to France?
Harry: Yes, I’ve already paid my deposit.
Nadir: It should be a good trip. I’ll bring in my deposit tomorrow.
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