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Guest Posted 23 years ago
Grammar
Use of a colon
Would this sentence be a correct use of a colon?
The three things I like to do on vacation are: swim in the ocean, shop at the mall, and play at the amusement park.
My English book says never a colon after a verb, but I was at a reading conference just last week and the presenter teaches a colon in the above example. Is this right or not?
The three things I like to do on vacation are: swim in the ocean, shop at the mall, and play at the amusement park.
My English book says never a colon after a verb, but I was at a reading conference just last week and the presenter teaches a colon in the above example. Is this right or not?
Top answer
What's wrong with the colon anyway
- What's wrong with the colon anyway
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9 Answers
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There is a mistake.
Keep in mind that the sentence has to make sense with the colon removed and one element of the list.
Corrections are below in CAPS:
"The ONE thing I like to do on vacation IS swimING in the ocean."
So, if we ignore the not-after-a-verb rule, your sentence should be: "...vacation are: swimming..., shopping..., and playing..."
Si
Keep in mind that the sentence has to make sense with the colon removed and one element of the list.
Corrections are below in CAPS:
"The ONE thing I like to do on vacation IS swimING in the ocean."
So, if we ignore the not-after-a-verb rule, your sentence should be: "...vacation are: swimming..., shopping..., and playing..."
Si
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Forgive me jumping in.
The colon has only one important function: it indicates that what follows it is an explanation or elaboration or what precedes it.
What the precedes the colon must be a complete sentence. What follows it may be a sentence, a phrase, a list, or even a single word.
Here are some examples.
Only four contenders remain: Sampras, Agassi, Ra
The colon has only one important function: it indicates that what follows it is an explanation or elaboration or what precedes it.
What the precedes the colon must be a complete sentence. What follows it may be a sentence, a phrase, a list, or even a single word.
Here are some examples.
Only four contenders remain: Sampras, Agassi, Ra
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I have a BS in Communication Ed. and a MS in Literacy...for what it is worth, I was told never to use a colon after a verb.
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I have an MA in English. Do not use a colon after a verb. It should never separate the verb from the object.
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This is an incorrect use of the colon according to the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition.
"A colon is not normally used after namely, for example and similar expressions. Nor is it used before a series introduced by a verb or a preposition." section 6.68
"A colon is not normally used after namely, for example and similar expressions. Nor is it used before a series introduced by a verb or a preposition." section 6.68
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That's right; I've just looked at Chicago 6.68 too. A colon should NOT follow a verb.
By the way, Ryan Smith is wrong when he corrects the example to read "swimming, shopping, etc." The original sentence is right, because "swim," "shop," and "play" are verbs in the infinitive. (What do you like to do? Swim. Shop. Play.)
CORRECT:
"The things I like to do on vacation ar
By the way, Ryan Smith is wrong when he corrects the example to read "swimming, shopping, etc." The original sentence is right, because "swim," "shop," and "play" are verbs in the infinitive. (What do you like to do? Swim. Shop. Play.)
CORRECT:
"The things I like to do on vacation ar
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I found an exception to the rule where you can use a colon after a verb or after an incomplete sentence.
Special Case: In a formal tabulation (list), such as in an official Job Description or a Resume, you may use a colon after a form of the verb " to be." Example:
Special Case: In a formal tabulation (list), such as in an official Job Description or a Resume, you may use a colon after a form of the verb " to be." Example:
| The qualities of a good Boy Scout leader are: |
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I have always learned and taught that a colon should never be used after a verb or preposition.
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