Colon

Misuse of Colon

Colons are used to make lists, to summarise, or to separate one idea from one which follows. A colon should not separate a noun from its verb, a verb from its object or subject complement, a preposition from its object, nor a subject from its predicate. The clause on each side of the colon should be an independent clause. If you are unsure, it would be better to leave the colon out than misuse it.



Incorrect: The four directions are: north, south, east and west.

While this sentence does have a list, the colon is incorrectly used because it separates the verb “are” from its object “north, south, east and west”. The colon could be removed, or the sentence could be re-written to use the colon properly (with an independent clause on one side of the colon and the list on the other side).

Correct: The four directions are north, south, east and west.

Correct: There are four directions: north, south, east and west.



Incorrect: When I graduate, I want to go to: Rome, Israel and Egypt.

The colon should be removed from this sentence because it separates the preposition “to” from its objects “Rome, Israel and Egypt”.



Incorrect: Michael like desserts such as: cake, cookies and doughnuts.

The colon is not required in this sentence.

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