What is the proper use of a colon?

What is the proper use of a colon?

Colons follow independent clauses (clauses that could stand alone as sentences) and can be used to present an explanation, draw attention to something, or join ideas together….Colons

  1. To announce, introduce, or direct attention to a list, a noun or noun phrase, a quotation, or an example/explanation.
  2. To join sentences.

How do you use a colon in a sentence examples?

Colons in Sentences

  1. There are two choices at this time: run away or fight.
  2. We knew who would win the game: the Eagles.
  3. He wanted to see three cities in Italy: Rome, Florence, and Venice.
  4. Here are three states that begin with M: Michigan, Mississippi, and Maine.

How are colons used in a sentence select the best answer?

We use colons in writing for five things: At the end of an independent clause (a group of words that could feasibly stand alone as a complete sentence) that is followed by a list. The sentence above is the perfect example. The only difference is that the colon emphasizes the statement or quotation more strongly.

How do you use a colon and semicolon in a sentence?

Semicolons should introduce evidence or a reason for the preceding statement; for example, this sentence appropriately uses a semicolon. A colon, on the other hand, should be used for a stronger, more direct relationship. It should provide emphasis, an example, or an explanation.

Why use a colon instead of a comma?

Rule: Also use the semicolon when you already have commas within a sentence for smaller separations, and you need the semicolon to show bigger separations. Rule: A colon is used to introduce a second sentence that clarifies the first sentence.

How do you use a colon in a list?

Colon

  1. Introducing a list. The colon is used to introduce a list of items.
  2. Between independent clauses when the second explains or illustrates the first. The colon is used to separate two independent clauses when the second explains or illustrates the first.
  3. Emphasis.

What is an example of a colon?

A colon can be used to introduce some more information about something mentioned earlier in the sentence. For example: He wanted just one thing: revenge. He knew what his wish would be: the ability to turn stones into gold.

Do you put a colon before or after quotation marks?

Commas and periods always go inside the quotation marks in American English; dashes, colons, and semicolons almost always go outside the quotation marks; question marks and exclamation marks sometimes go inside, sometimes stay outside.

Is a colon used to emphasize the speaker of a sentence?

A colon is used to give emphasis, present dialogue, introduce lists or text, and clarify composition titles. Emphasis—Capitalize the first word after the colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. The words on either side of the colon should be able to stand on their own.

What are the three types of quotations?

Types of quotes

  • In-text quotes. An in-text quote is a short quote that fits into and completes a sentence you’ve written.
  • Indirect quotes. An indirect quote is when you paraphrase ideas from a source.
  • Direct quotes. A direct quote is when you take text directly from a source without changing anything.

What do you call a single quotation mark?

Quotation marks can be used in two styles; single (‘ ‘ or ‘) or double (“ ” or “), and can also appear in two different typefaces; either as so called dumb or straight quotes (‘ or “) or as smart quotes (‘ ‘ or “ ”). Read more about quotation marks at Wikipedia.

What do you say when quoting someone?

Use double quotation marks (“”) around a direct quote. A direct quote is a word- for-word report of what someone else said or wrote. You use the exact words and punctuation of the original.

How do you quote when speaking?

4. Quoting a portion of dialogue: If you quote something a character says, use double quotation marks on the outside ends of the quotation to indicate that you are quoting a portion of the text. Use single quotation marks inside the double quotation marks to indicate that someone is speaking.

How do you write to people speaking?

How to Format Dialogue in a Story

  1. Use Quotation Marks to Indicate Spoken Word.
  2. Dialogue Tags Stay Outside the Quotation Marks.
  3. Use a Separate Sentence for Actions That Happen Before or After the Dialogue.
  4. Use Single Quotes When Quoting Something Within the Dialogue.
  5. Use a New Paragraph to Indicate a New Speaker.

How do you quote multiple people?

If a person speaks for more than one paragraph you:

  1. Put quotation marks before their first word.
  2. Don’t put a quotation mark at the end of that paragraph if they are still speaking without interruption in the next paragraph.

Why do we say quote unquote?

It is because when speaking extemporaneously, the thought doesn’t come into the speaker’s mind that he or she is quoting someone else until after the quoted remark has been spoken. It is at that point that the speaker says “quote unquote” to offer tribute in retrospect to the originator of the quoted phrase or remark.

Which is correct unquote or end quote?

If accompanied by air quotes, the term is definitely unquote. If it’s referring to the punctuation mark, end quote is definitely correct. If it directly follows the word “quote”, it’s unquote. (In other words, the phrase is “quote unquote”, not “quote end quote”.)

What do you mean by quote unquote?

—used in speech to show that one is exactly repeating someone else’s words He said he’s been living under, quote, unquote, ” intense pressure.”

Where does the quote unquote go?

We can also use “quote-unquote” when we’re simply quoting what someone else said. For example, you might say, “She said, quote, ‘It’s not you, it’s me,’ unquote.”

What is the difference between quote and unquote?

2 Answers. Quote and unquote are verbal representations of quotation marks, exactly as you suggest in the beginning of your question. In your second example, they indicate that the following (or occasionally preceding) word or phrase is to be understood as though it’s a quote: Alice said Bob quote unquote intervened.

What is the meaning of quote and unquote in email?

phrase. You can say quote before and unquote after a word or phrase, or quote, unquote before or after it, to show that you are quoting someone or that you do not believe that a word or phrase used by others is accurate.

What is the Tagalog of quote?

English to Tagalog

English Tagalog
quote sipiin;
quote [cuot] Banggitin ang sinalitâ ng ibá; tumukoy

What is quote mean?

Quote means to repeat the exact words of a speaker or an author. A quote is also a passage or statement repeated in this way. Quote means to cite something as a form of proof. Quote has several other senses as a verb and a noun.

What are literary quotes?

The definition of a quotation is words or phrases that are taken from someone else or from literary work or the asking price of something. An example of a quotation is when you take a passage from Shakespeare and repeat it as written without changing any of the words.

What is the English of Sipi?

English. sipi. copy; copy machine; number of issue; quoting; Probably related with: Tagalog.

Is colon followed by a capital letter?

A colon is nearly always preceded by a complete sentence; what follows the colon may or may not be a complete sentence, and it may be a mere list or even a single word. A colon is not normally followed by a capital letter in British usage, though American usage often prefers to use a capital.

What can come after a colon?

You’ve come to the right place. A colon is written as two dots on top of each other (:), and it is used to separate independent clauses among other things. A space or return is placed directly after a colon. Using colons in a sentence can be tricky.

What is Colon example?

Colons and semicolons are two types of punctuation. Colons (:) are used in sentences to show that something is following, like a quotation, example, or list. Semicolons (;) are used to join two independent clauses, or two complete thoughts that could stand alone as complete sentences.

Can you use or after a semicolon?

The most common use of the semicolon is to join two independent clauses without using a conjunction like and. Do you use a capital letter after a semicolon? The general answer is no.