English 9

Section 1

# 22

Define the colon and describe its uses.

The colon is a mark of expectation or addition. Major uses are to: introduce lists or tabulations; introduce a word or a phrase; precede an example or clarification of an idea suggested before the colon; to introduce a long formal quotation; act as a separating mark in special situations (letters, time, stating proportions, titles of books, acts or verses, etc.)