lkplawyers.blogg.se - How to introduce a quote with colon

For example, item 1 above reads "Use a colon to introduce a list" and ends with a colon followed by two example sentences. Use a colon to introduce examples, as shown above. There is no need to rush: the meeting will be starting one hour late.ĥ.

We had to cancel the party: too many people were sick.

As Confucius once wrote: "When words lose their meaning, people lose their freedom."Ĥ.

John whispered in my ear: "Have you seen Andrea?".

He stood up and said loudly: "Ladies and Gentlemen, please be seated." Your second example regarding use of a colon preceding a formal quotation can be found in the Chicago Manual of Style (6.63) as well as in this very sentence(): A colon may also be used instead of a comma to introduce a quotation, either where the syntax of the introduction requires it or to more formally introduce the quotation.

Use a colon to introduce direct speech or a quotation: The job of the colon is simple: to introduce.ģ.There is one thing that he will not accept: stupidity.We were all waiting for the hero of the evening: John.Actually, you can use a colon to introduce a single item, especially when you want to emphasize that item: We can see many things in the sky at night: the moon, stars, planets, comets, planes and even satellites.Ģ.There are three countries in North America: Mexico, the USA and Canada.If this article has helped you, or if you have other questions about this topic, please let me know.The job of the colon is simple: to introduce. But sometimes formal writing requires a colon.Įxample: “Benjamin Franklin once made this statement: ‘A great empire, like a great cake, is most easily diminished at the edges.'” More often these things are introduced with a simple “said,” (So-n-so said, “blah, blah, blah”). Sometimes the colon is used to formally introduce a statement or quote. Make sure you never use a colon directly after a verb or preposition.īad Example: “A few of my favorite things are: raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles, and warm woolen mittens.”īetter Example: “These are a few of my favorite things: raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles, and warm woolen mittens.” While it is not necessary to use a colon before a list, it often helps to make the list stand out. The colon may be used to introduce a list.

(A clause is a group of words that belong together an independent clause is a group of words that have a subject and a verb.)Įxample: “The colon is one of my favorite English tools: it helps keep my word count down and it organizes my thoughts.” Instead of “The colon is one of my favorite English tools because it helps keep my word count down and it organizes my thoughts.” It most often is used to replace the word “because.” In technical terms, the colon is used between independent clauses when the second is an explanation for the first. The colon is a very useful punctuation mark.