about colon usage

Question

Whether explicit or implicit, important facts are : (1) South Korea's policy priority should be placed not just on deterring North Korea's military action but on facilitating reunification of the two Koreas. (2) Japan is a major long-term threat to South Korea's saftey, and (3) the presence of U.S. forces is essential to the security of South Korea and Northeast Asia.

I learned that the sentence before colon should be a complete idea. But in this case, colon is written after an imcomplete sentence. So I wonder if this is a wrong usage of colon.

Yoong Liat · Accepted Answer

AhnWhether explicit or implicit, important facts are : (1) South Korea's policy priority should be placed not just on deterring North Korea's military action but on facilitating reunification of the two Koreas. (2) Japan is a major long-term threat to South Korea's saftey, and (3) the presence of U.S. forces is essential to the security of South Korea and Northeast Asia.

I learned that the sentence before colon should be a complete idea. But in this case, colon is written after an imcomplete sentence. So I wonder if this is a wrong usage of colon.

The following confirms your view.

The most common mistake with colons is when the colon is placed right in the middle of an independent clause (a complete idea or sentence). A colon should be written AFTER an independent clause or complete idea. Take a look at the following example.

Every repairman must have: a screwdriver, a hammer, and a saw.

Most people would say this sentence is fine; however, it is incorrect. Look at the part of this sentence BEFORE the colon.

Every repairman must have:

Is this a complete idea (independent clause)? NO. Could someone say, "Every repairman must have"? Of course, not. It doesn't make sense and it is meaningless. This is why the colon was not used correctly here.

So, how do you fix it? Just make the part of the sentence before the colon a complete idea. Take a look at the following sentence.

There are three things every repairman must have: a screwdriver, a hammer, and a saw.

Ahn · Answer

Thank you, Yoong Liat.

Then does it confirm that the sentence is incorrect? I got it this way.

Yoong Liat · Answer

AhnThank you, Yoong Liat.

Then does it confirm that the sentence is incorrect? I got it this way.

Yes.

Akavall · Answer

Is it wrong to say,

"According to the 'so and so formula':

a + b = c

or

"The 'so and so formula' states:

a + b = c"?

And I would have to say,

"The 'so and so formula' shows a relationship between A,B, and C:

a + b = c"?

about colon usage

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