The English language is interesting. There are countless ways to say the same statement. Many times, it just depends on your style of writing. Today, we're going to examine the colon, which is a type of punctuation. The colon looks like this : (two vertical dots). Generally, colons are used to show that a list will follow. Let's look at a two examples. You'll see that the same idea can be written with or without a colon. It just depends on the format you're most comfortable with!
Example 1.)
The guests brought many items: ice, soda, cookies, cake, and even napkins.
Or
The guests brought many items such as ice, soda, cookies, cake, and even napkins.
(Notice that the first sentence uses the colon to symbolize that the list of items will follow. The second sentence doesn't need a colon because it uses the phrase "such as." Both ways are correct.)
Example 2.)
Kevin had a lot to do tonight: study for his test, prepare lunch for his younger sister, and change the oil in his car.
Or
Kevin had a lot to do tonight. He was going to study for his test, prepare lunch for his younger sister, and change the oil in his car.
(Notice that the first sentence uses the colon to symbolize that the list of what Kevin has to do will follow. The second sentence doesn't need a colon because it has separated the thoughts into two complete sentences. Both ways are correct.)
Which way do you prefer? Take a moment and write a sentence that uses a colon. Then, write the same idea, but make your sentence (or sentences) so that no colon is needed.
9 comments:
I enjoy cooking many different things: cookies, cakes, pastries, and new dinner recipes of all sorts.
I enjoy cooking so many different things. I like to bake cookies, cakes and pastries. I also enjoy trying new recipes for family dinners.
Rebekah W.
We went fishing the other day: I caught 3 fish on my new fishing pole.
We went fishing the other day and I caught 3 fish on my new fishing pole.
Jolene H.
With the rising prices we could only afford to buy: chicken and fish.
With the rising prices we could only afford to buy items such as chicken and fish.
Before bed, the children: brush their teeth, wash their face, and say their prayers.
The children brush their teeth, wash their face, and say their prayers before they go to bed.
Matthew ate for lunch: chicken, bread, and blueberries.
Matthew ate chicken, bread, and blueberries for lunch.
Geraldine G.
On saturday I always have to: Clean the house, cook, do laundry.
On saturday I always have a lot to do, I have to clean the house,cook diner and also do laundry.
I learned so much from this class: writing e-mails, search engines, and proper behavior in the workplace.
I learned so much from this class. I was taught about writing emails and search engines. Also how to behave in a workplace.
Luz Croce
Ruth had a lot to think about in her life such as: faith, trust, belief, courage, strength and pain.
Ruth had to make a descion in life. Her descion involved faith, trust, belief, courage, strength and pain.
Archarna j.
Here are the items needed for kindergarden:crayon,markers pencils,and two notebooks.
The items needed for kindergarden includes crayons,markers,pencils, and two notebooks.
Indira H.
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