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24601 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
A paragraph ending with a colon
Greetings. Is it permissible to end a paragraph with a colon to introduce a long list of particulars, each of which is multiple sentences. To illustrate my meaning, this is approximately what I want to do ----
This paragraph is a discussion of x. In recent times there have been a number of improvements to x. Among them are the following:
Improvement A is stated in this sentence. This sentence will elaborate on Improvement A. This sentence will further elaborate on Improvement A.
Improvement B is stated in this sentence. This sentence will elaborate on Improvement B. This sentence will further elaborate on Improvement B.
Improvement A is stated in this sentence. This sentence will elaborate on Improvement A. This sentence will further elaborate on Improvement A.
At this point, the composition continues, and we are no longer listing improvements.
I do not believe that I have seen this usage before. It does look somewhat odd, and, in the absence of bullet points (please do not suggest them), it is perhaps not clear where the list ends. However, to me, it doesn't seem right to have a full stop after "Among them are the following," either.
Any thoughts?
This paragraph is a discussion of x. In recent times there have been a number of improvements to x. Among them are the following:
Improvement A is stated in this sentence. This sentence will elaborate on Improvement A. This sentence will further elaborate on Improvement A.
Improvement B is stated in this sentence. This sentence will elaborate on Improvement B. This sentence will further elaborate on Improvement B.
Improvement A is stated in this sentence. This sentence will elaborate on Improvement A. This sentence will further elaborate on Improvement A.
At this point, the composition continues, and we are no longer listing improvements.
I do not believe that I have seen this usage before. It does look somewhat odd, and, in the absence of bullet points (please do not suggest them), it is perhaps not clear where the list ends. However, to me, it doesn't seem right to have a full stop after "Among them are the following," either.
Any thoughts?
Top answer
Just realised I made a couple of mistakes in presenting that question. Meant to read: Greetings. Is it permissible to end a paragraph with a colon to introduce a long list of particulars, each of which is multiple sentences?
- Just realised I made a couple of mistakes in presenting that question.
- Meant to read: Greetings.
- Is it permissible to end a paragraph with a colon to introduce a long list of particulars, each of which is multiple sentences?
- To illustrate my meaning, this is approximately what I want to do ---- This paragraph is a discussion of x.
- In recent times there have been a number of improvements to x.
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3 Answers
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Just realised I made a couple of mistakes in presenting that question. Meant to read:
Greetings. Is it permissible to end a paragraph with a colon to introduce a long list of particulars, each of which is multiple sentences? To illustrate my meaning, this is approximately what I want to do ----
This paragraph is a discussion of x. In recent times there have been a number of impro
Greetings. Is it permissible to end a paragraph with a colon to introduce a long list of particulars, each of which is multiple sentences? To illustrate my meaning, this is approximately what I want to do ----
This paragraph is a discussion of x. In recent times there have been a number of impro
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Broadly speaking, I would avoid the colon. I see nothing wrong with a period.
If you insist on a colon like that, only use it if what follows is clearly laid out as an easily identifiable list. I don't see that in your example.
In literary writing or in a formal essay, do not use
If you insist on a colon like that, only use it if what follows is clearly laid out as an easily identifiable list. I don't see that in your example.
In literary writing or in a formal essay, do not use
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Yes, a period is the standard and correct way of ending a sentence.
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