29+ Colon Examples:What,How,When,Where To Use,Structure,Several Facts

In this article, we will see in detail about colon. With the help of 30+ colon examples, we shall get to know what colon is; how, when and where it used in a sentence.

Colon is a punctuation mark used in the English Language. It is generally used before an explanation, a quotation and a list of items. A colon usually indicates that there is an explanation that is to follow. It helps to explain or give more details about the clause that precedes it.

We shall now go through the colon examples to get a better understanding.

29+ Colon Examples With Detailed Explanations

Now we shall analyze and understand in detail the usage of colon in each and every example sentence.

1. We can do two things: finish the work or get punished.

In this sentence, colon is used before explaining what, are the two things that can be done.

2. My grandmother wants to visit five temples in Tamil Nadu: Tanjore Big Temple, Madurai Meenakshi Temple, Tiruvannamalai Temple, Marudhamalai Temple and Perur Temple.

In this sentence, colon is used before list of the temples that the grandmother wishes to visit.

3. My teacher said to the students: “The one who wins the competition will be given a special prize.”

In this sentence, colon is used after the independent clause and before the quotation that says what the teacher told the students.

4. Riya has two dogs: Tommy and Browny.

In this sentence, colon is used before the list that says the names of Riya’s two dogs.

5. The following are the ingredients for the recipe: milk, coco powder, whipped cream, choco chips and sugar.

In this sentence, colon is used to denote the start of a list of ingredients that are required for the recipe.

6. She wanted only one thing: love.

In this sentence, colon is used before the noun ‘love’ in order to emphasize what was the one thing that she wanted. It gives us additional information of what the subject wanted.

7. Our garden has five trees: mango tree, coconut tree, papaya tree, guava tree, and pomegranate tree.

In this sentence, colon is used to indicate the start of a list that tells us the names of the trees present in our garden.

8. There is only one solution: you apologizing to him.

In this sentence, colon is used to emphasize the phrase which is the only solution to the problem.

9. Sushma will not come to the picnic: she has a family function.

In this sentence, colon is used in between two related independent clauses, where the second clause states the reason why Sushma will not go to the picnic.

10. The dress was beautiful: bright color, soft material, and very comfortable.

In this sentence, colon is used before the description of the dress. The part of the sentence after the colon tells us further information of the dress.

11. Every student has to take up five subjects: English, math, science, history, and art.

In this sentence, colon is used after the independent clause to indicate the list of the subjects every student has to study.

12. I have three best friends: Roma, Shreya, and Kriti.

In this sentence, colon is used before the list of best friends of the subject ‘I’.

13. The one quality you must possess to impress my dad: honesty.

In this sentence, colon is used before the noun ‘honesty’ to show the emphasis on the one quality that impresses my father.

14. The old man cried in hunger: “I have not eaten for two days.”

In this sentence, colon is used after the independent clause and before the quotation that tells what the old man said.

15. The meeting will start at 5:30 pm once the manager joins us.

In this sentence, colon is used in between 5 and 30 to separate the hours from the minutes.

16. Ritu has visited many countries: Germany, Europe, England, France, and Russia.

In this sentence, colon is used before the list of countries that Ritu has visited.

17. In the entire experience, we learnt one life lesson: never take things for granted.

In this sentence, colon is used to emphasize the noun phrase ‘never take things for granted’.

18. Sunita achieved what she wanted: she truly deserved the promotion.

In this sentence, colon is used in between the two independent clauses that are closely related to each other.

19. Remember the rule to be followed: do not use mobile phones in the class.

In this sentence, colon is used before the explanation that states, what is the rule that has to be followed.

20. The team leader declared in the meeting: “The new product launched is a great success in the market.”

In this sentence, colon is used after the independent clause and before the quotation that states what the team leader declared in the meeting.

21. The question paper consists of various types of questions: fill ups, multiple choice, and descriptive essay.

In this sentence, semicolon is used to introduce the list of various types of questions that will be found in the question paper.

22. My sister was not able to eat the food: it was way too spicy for her.

In this sentence, colon is used in between two closely related independent clauses where one clause states the reason why the sister was unable to eat the food.

23. The great Ben Johnson rightly said: “Shakespeare is not for an age, but for all times.”

In this sentence, colon is used before the quotation that states what Ben Johnson said about William Shakespeare.

24. I had a bad day: I missed the bus and was late for my presentation.

In this sentence, colon is used after the independent clause ‘ I had a bad day’ to explain the reason why the day was bad.

25. There is only one element that can be blamed for everything: coincidence.

In this sentence, colon is used before the noun ‘coincidence’ to show the emphasis on the one element that has to be blamed for everything that has happened.

26. I request you to arrive soon as the movie starts at 11:10 am.

In this sentence, colon is used in between 11 and 10 in order to separate the hours and minutes.

27. Reshma has three younger siblings: Shlok, Nitu, and Vaibhav.

In this sentence, colon is used before the list of the three younger brothers of Reshma.

28. Mihika loved the dress: pink in color with blue floral designs and frill.

In this sentence, colon is used before the description of the dress Mihika loved. The presence of the colon after the independent clause indicates that there is some information of the dress that is to be followed.

29. Ice creams come in various flavors: chocolate, butterscotch, black current, strawberry, and many more.

In this sentence, colon is used to introduce the list of various ice cream flavors.

30. The leader of the class informed in the class: “Everyone must finish your projects by tomorrow 12:30 pm.”

In this sentence, colon is used after the independent clause and before the quotation that says what the class leader informed everyone about. Colon is also used in between 12 and 30 to separate the hours and minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to describe colon?

Colon is a punctuation mark in English and it is two vertically positioned dots. The symbol used for colon is ‘:’. A colon is generally used to imply the words ‘that is’ or ‘it means’.

Example: There are many things you have to bring: umbrella, rain coat, trekking shoes, and sweaters.

Here, the colon is used to refer the things that are required to be brought.

When to use colon?

Colon is used when two independent clauses are to be connected. The two clauses must be very closely related in direct terms.

Example: Vihan will not play the match: he has injured his leg.

Here, colon is used to connect the two closely related independent clauses, as the second clause states the reason why Vihan will not play the match.

Colon is used before something is to be explained or described.

Example: She does not like that boy: the one with curly hair.

Here, colon is used before the boy’s description.

Colon is used before denoting a list of items.

Example: I wish to visit the following cities: New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and Massachusetts.

Here, colon is used to indicate the list of the citiesI like to visit.

Colon is before emphasizing a particular word or a phrase.

Example: There is only one thing she wanted to know: thetruth.

Here, colon is used to give importance to the phrase ‘the truth’.

Colon is used before a quotation.

Example: Ramya said to me in the call: “I am planning to rejoin the company very soon.”

Here, colon is used just before the quotation mark as the clause before the colon is independent.

Colon is used to separate the hours, minutes and seconds while referring to a particular time.

Example: The exam will start at 10:30 sharp.

Here, colon is used in between 10 and 30 to separate the hours and minutes.

Apart from this, colon is used to denote the location of a verse in the book.

Example: John 17:21

Here, colon is used to denote the verse of the Bible.

Colon is also used to separate the sub title from the main title of a book.

Example: Girl With a Pearl Earring: A Servant’s Life, a Master’s Obsession, a Matter of Honour.

Here, colon is used to separate the sub heading ‘A Servant’s Life, a Master’s Obsession, a Matter of Honour’ from the main title of the book ‘Girl With a Pearl Earring’.

Why to use colon?

Colon is used to show that there is something following or to be continued. It is used to denote, the explanation, description or the reason related to the previous clause is to be continued.

Example: I am open to constructive criticism: criticism that is genuine and will help me grow.

Here, the colon is used to denote that there is an explanation of constructive criticism that is following.

Where to use colon?

A colon is used at places where something is to be explained, defined, described or listed. The colon follows an independent clause which it is going to explain and precedes the explanation, definition or list.

Example: This restaurant has the best cuisines: Chinese, Japanese, Continental, and Thai.

Here, the colon is followed by the independent clause ‘this restaurant has the best cuisines’ and precedes the list of the cuisines.

Colon in sentence structure

Colon is used after the clause that is going to be explained and before the explanation of the clause.

Independent Clause + Colon + explanation/list/description

Example: We are very happy and excited: we are going on a picnic to Goa.

Here, colon is used in between two independent clauses – before the clause that states the reason why we are excited.