a piece of punctuation placed after a main clause that can introduce an explanation

a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense

how a text flows to maintain the interest of the reader and achieve text purpose

Colons: second function

English

In this unit, pupils learn how to use the colon and the semi-colon.

In 'Speech punctuation, parenthesis and apostrophes', pupils learnt to punctuate a speech interrupted sentence. In this unit, pupils will learn how to use the colon and the semi-colon. 

Punctuation 

Which of the following can a colon be used for?

Aisha has several pets a dog: a cat and a gerbil. 

Aisha has several pets including: a dog, a cat and a gerbil. 

Aisha has several pets: a dog, a cat and a gerbil. 

Which sentence uses a colon to introduce a list correctly?

As she walked away, I sighed: would she ever return?

As she walked away: I sighed, would she ever return?

As she walked away, I sighed would: she ever return?

Which sentence uses a colon correctly to introduce a question?

The dog jumped up: it was excited to see us.

Miss O'Neill frowned: she sighed heavily to herself. 

Miss O'Neill frowned: we were being too noisy and she had a headache.

Which of these sentences contain an explanation following the colon?

When you go out: put on a coat, it's raining. 

When you go out, put on a coat: it's raining. 

When you go out, put: on a coat, it's raining. 

Which of these explanation sentences is correctly punctuated?

she had promised a reward to the best table. 

we wanted her to read us the rest of the story. 

Which of the following could complete the following sentence as an explanation? 'We all wanted to impress Miss O'Neill:'

We saw many different animals, such as the following: 

Which of the following could be used to introduce a list?

Match the main clauses to the lists that could follow the colon. 

We need to buy a few things, including: coffee, tea, milk and sugar. 

We need to buy a few things: coffee, tea, milk and sugar. 

We need to buy a few things: coffee, tea, milk, and sugar. 

Which of these sentences is correctly punctuated?

Only one question dominated my thoughts: 

Which of these could come before a question introduced by the colon?

Walking through the forest, my skin was prickling, was someone else there? 

Walking through the forest, my skin was prickling: Was someone else there? 

Walking through the forest, my skin was prickling: was someone else there? 

Which of these sentences is the correct version?

They can reduce interruptions to the flow of the text. 

They help us use fewer lists and questions. 

How do colons help to improve text cohesion?

Starter Quiz