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TaraC Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

Do I Use a Colon or Comma to Start This List?

Which one is correct and why?

Any list of colours has to include: red, blue, yellow, green, orange and purple.

Any list of colours has to include, red, blue, yellow, green, orange and purple.

Any list of colours has to include red, blue, yellow, green, orange and purple.

Thanks, Tara
  

Top answer

As the direct object of the verb, the list requires no special punctuation; I choose the last of the three.

— Mister Micawber

  • As the direct object of the verb, the list requires no special punctuation; I choose the last of the three.
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2 Answers
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As the direct object of the verb, the list requires no special punctuation; I choose the last of the three.

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Only use a colon when the introduction to the list can stand on its own as a sentence.
For example,
"Any list of colors has to include these: red, blue, yellow, green, orange and purple."
So,
"Any list of colors has to include these" is a complete thought.
But,
"Any list of colors has to include" is not a complete thought.
You dig?
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