How we change what others think, feel, believe and do |
Using colons
Techniques > Use of language > Punctuation > Using colons Method | Example | Discussion | See also
MethodListsUse colons before a list, either in-line (use for single words or short phrases) or a set of bullet-points (use for longer phrases and sentences). Contrastive separationUse the colon to separate two sentences when there is a strong contrast between the two sentences that you wish to highlight. For a weaker separation, a semicolon might be used. Causal connectionUse the colon to show cause and effect, but without having to use words such as 'because'. ExampleThere are three uses of the colon: the list, the contrastive separation and rolling the drums. (list) Good language changes minds: poor language gets you teased. (contrastive) I am weak: I cannot lift that box. DiscussionColons separate, but not as strongly as periods. In speech, they provide a pause: longer than a semicolon, but shorter than a period. The colon can act as a roll on the drums, accentuating the difference between two sentences. See alsoUsing periods, Using semicolons
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