Grammar Notes Colons

English 10 B
*Use a colon to mean note what follows.*
1. Rule:__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Examples:
- Prior to 1722, the Iroquois Confederation consisted of five American Indian nations:
Mohawk, Onedia, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca.
- My brother is working on a multimedia presentation featuring the following women: Mark
Baker Eddy, Clara Barton, Maria Mitchell, Mary Church Terrell, Susan B. Anthony, and Sarah
Winnemucca.
Note:________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
[Incorrect]: The emergency kit included: safety flares, jumper cables, and a flashlight.
[Correct]: The emergency kit included safety flares, jumper cables and a flashlight.
[Incorrect]: Each student taking the math test was provided with: two sharpened pencils, some paper,
and a ruler.
[Correct]: Each student taking the math test was provided with two sharpened pencils, some paper, and
a ruler.
2. Rule:__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Example:
-

Abraham Lincolns Gettysburg Address begins with these famous words: Fourscore and
seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in
liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

3. Rule:__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Examples:
- Lois felt that she had done something worthwhile: She had designed and sewn her first
quilt.
- Thomas Jefferson had many talents: He was a writer, a politician, an architect, and an
inventor.

Note:________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
*Use a colon in certain conventional situations.*
4. Rule:__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Examples:
- 7:30 pm

8:45 in the morning

5. Rule:__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Examples:
- Proverbs 10:12

Luke 17:1-4

6. Rule:__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Examples:
- Another View: To be Black in America [book]
- Superman IV: The Quest for Peace [movie]
- Impression: Sunrise [painting]
7. Rule:__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Examples:
- Dear Mrs. Rodriguez:
- To Whom It May Concern:

Dear Sir or Madam:

Dear Service Manager:

Note:________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Example:
-

Dear Mom and Dad,